I agree that for students to be successful and reach their full potential they must be engaged in what they do and learn. In order to keep students engaged they must have the opportunity to be engaged in more than one way. We live in a competitive and evolving world that requires and expects for people to be able to be able to lie a life that revolves around technology. As educators, we must prepare students for all the changes in technology and we must teach them to be efficient with technology. In order for students to be most successful they must be given multiple opportunities and ways to enhance their skills in the use and understanding of technology. When I hear Web 2.0 and talk about it with others, I make the mistake of calling it just a new term for technology and for the different tools that teachers implement into their classroom. I now understand that Web 2.0 tools are not just new technology but they are tools that help differentiate, involve learners outside of your classroom, they are tools that help students practice skills, they are independent learning tools, they are communication tools, they are tools to help engage students, and so much more. I currently use some Web 2.0 tools in my classroom but I do not believe that we can rely on Web 2.0 tools alone. With that being said I think that it is very important to implement web 2.0 tools because I think it provides higher order thinking because depending on the tool being used students get to create and it gives students the opportunity to analyze and evaluate their own work and understanding. I also think it is a great extension for students who have mastered a standard. I believe that in a world that revolves more and more around technology, it needs to be a part of student’s learning daily. Technology is what drives and interest today’s youth, therefore as educators we have to use it to our advantage when trying to engage students. As educators we have to be ready to be learners and adapt to all the constant changes of technology so that we can make the appropriate decisions with what we use with our students. What we expose our students in can benefit students or be a waste of their time. As educators we need to make sure we are using Web 2.0 tools to engage students and push them to their full potential.
This semester I look forward to learning about a variety of tools that I could implement in my classroom. I really want to implement audio tools. I think audio tools would be graet for students who are english language learners and struggling readers who may have trouble reading assignments. For example the Chirbit could be used in reading. The teacher could record his or herself reading a book and have students listen to the recording as the read during their independent reading time. I want to learn more about blogging as well this semester. We are required to blog either as a grade or individually at my school. In our blogs we are required to talk about upcoming events, what we are working on in the classroom, and to share pictures of the students doing different activities. I am excited to learn ways to involve the students and their parents more when blogging. Right now some teachers blog because they have to. Many teachers say they do not want to blog because when they check to see how many people viewed the blob it will only be one or two people. I believe that if it was more interactive and it was a way for students to express their knowledge on a subject, teachers would be more willing to make it a regular tool in the classroom. I would love to learn about and try to implement BoomWriter. I think that would be a great way to engage students in writing. One thing that I noticed teaching fourth grade and what I’m realizing teaching second grade is that many students do not like to write. Engaging writing tools are needed the most for students to reach their full potential, in my opinion. My county currently uses Blackboard Learn, so I have some experience with it. Blackboard learn provides teachers with tools to help them be successful in the classroom.
When I found out I was taking a class that uses Web 2.0 tools, I thought that I would just be learning how to integrate technology into my classroom and classroom routines. I am excited to learn the benefits of web 2.0 tools and to understand why it is important to implement them. Web 2.0 tools have already helped me with differentiation and engaging my students. Tools like MobyMax and RAZ Kids are great for centers in math and reading. Both programs give students work based on their level so that they can work independently. MobyMax and RAZ Kids provide data for me to know what my students need from me in small group and one on one. Every student has their own individual learning style and needs that should be met through differentiated classroom instruction. As an educator, it gets overwhelming when trying to meet all those different needs for various students. Web 2.0 tools can help educators collect data and meet the needs of students with Individual Education Plans (IEP), 504 plans and students on Response To Intervention(RTI). I believe that the more I learn about them and grasp an understanding of how they can benefit my students, the more I will implement them in my daily routines and centers.
Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2014). Web 2.0 how-to for educators. United States: International Society for Technology in Education.