Article # 1

Light, Daniel. (2011). Do web 2.0 right. Learning & Leading with Technology, 38(5),

          Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-

leading/issues/Feature_Article_Do_Web_2_0_Right.aspx

Do Web 2.0 Right

(NETS-T 1a, 1c, 1d, 2a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4a, 4c)                          

     The article Do Web 2.0 Right, serves a resource and reminder to educators who are transitioning from the older paper and pencil classroom to a technology driven class. The article was extremely useful in many ways. As most educators know, there are certain procedures that are followed to promote constructive and effective classroom assignment. These basic rules are that the teacher creates a safe and appropriate learning environment for the students, promotes daily practice of the skill being taught and uses modeling and reinforcement to ensure student success. This article helps the educator remember that many of these basic principles hold true when using technology tools for class assignments as well.

     The article identifies three basic necessities for creating an effective technology tool for class use. These needs are daily practice using the tool, careful consideration of the assignment to the audience and the teaching and reinforcement of appropriate behaviors.  As with all lessons and classroom skills daily practice is vital for students to gain a full understanding and long term usefulness. Just as teachers have been doing for decades in the paper and pencil classroom, teachers using Blogs and Wikis are eliciting prior knowledge, creating interest in topics, supporting peer interaction and review as well as instructor review. In the past these were the main components to a successful lesson plan. This article effectively reminds that those principals hold true in the virtual classroom as well. Additionally, Light writes that the second item for educators to remember is the audience. While teachers have always done this, being aware of the audience as being either student-teacher, the class or the world when using Web 2.0 makes a huge difference for two main reasons. First, students are inherently self conscious about what they create or publish. If the educator wants trust and honesty, the smaller the audience, the safer the students will feel. Second, as students are self conscious it is important to determine what tool will be used, personal Blogs, class Blog or Wikis, and what assignments will be posted or discussed using the tool. The idea behind using technology in teaching is to motivate and promote learning not shut learning down due to fear of embarrassment. The final factor to success using Web 2.0 is digital etiquette. As in any physical classroom treating others with respect and dignity is mandatory. With this in mind the article discusses and promotes effective methods for allowing positive, open and constructive learning through Web 2.0.

 

Question 1: As a student from elementary through high school, what is your most memorable assignment and why?

The assignment I will never forget was given to me by Mr. Rossman in either 5^th or 6^th grade. The students were asked to create a map of the world, to scale at 1 inch per 100 miles, and name all the oceans, seas, continents, countries, country capitals, US states and state capitals. It took almost two months, but I knew every country in the world… at least until the USSR dissolved, which caused many changes. The project was also a culmination of all the skills I had learned in the school year. It covered math, history, geography, and language arts. It constantly made me think reflectively, ask questions and problem solve.   

Question 2: In that favorite assignment, did you use technology? If so, how and if not, how could technology improved the activity?

I did this assignment in 1985 or 1986 so technology wasn’t available. I had to use an up to date atlas, ruler, pencils, lots of erasers and any help my brother may give. Technology would have been a great resource for this project. As it was, I not only had a huge book to use, but I had to measure out and hand draw a grid on the maps I was using and tag board to create my map. While I think technology may take a little of the fun in discovery out of the project, it would have definitely helped with the math.