MT’s Web2.0 ideas

The genre of blog writing seems to run the spectrum from learning to express oneself on anything to forming thoughtful positions on current issues.  Brevity is the perceived standard.  Blog reading seems much like reading an editorial with lots of bullets.  Blog writing appears to be persuasive writing supported with facts and not necessarily committed to providing alternative points of view.  That is the task of responders. Blog reading and writing are forms that invite some “best practice” guidelines to be effective.  Donald Leu’s comments (Rationale for Educational Blogging) proposed blogging as the strategy necessary to exploit changing technology and this resonated with my admittedlynovice knowledge of the tool.  That student voices are essential to conversations on teaching and learning also seems to be common sense, but often ignored.  Blogging can facilitate learning by requiring one to cogently express ideas, analyze, infer, explain, find examples, and link to expanding views.

My initial thoughts about Web 2.0 are filled with excitement.What wonderful tools for us to incorporate in teaching and learning! My immediate second thoughts deal with change and the difficulty of making the transition to new methods and practices.  I think it is imperative to equip our students for the future by utilizing Web 2.0, and I hope this course will introduce many new effective tools to my professional practice.  The videos have already informed my conversations with others as well as my consideration of the role of media centers in the future. 

What a challenging way to begin! Had I not struggled with the initial components, this might have been a different blog. I learned when I was not successful. The most questionable habit for me is having confidence in myself and my tech abilities. My learning curve is steep because my previous use of technology has been for content and not mechanics. By that I mean that I get the information I need. I don’t use technology for gaming, viewing video for pleasure, instant communication or ways my (grown) children use it. I think it will be important for me to extend my vision and my practice to use more tech tools. The most resonant habit for me will be to create a learning toolbox as I have spent many years collecting ideas and sharing them. The most important habit to develop is to view problems as challenges. That change will be significant in my success with completion of this course. Lifelong learning means shifts in your focus over time. Technology demands it.

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