Response to "World w/o walls"

"But [technology] does suggest that we as educators need to reconsider our roles in students' lives, to think of ourselves as connectors first and content experts second."


This statement is key to the whole article and, I think, hits to the core as to the importance of Web 2.0 and the classroom setting. This article, in particular, this statement REQUIRES teachers to look at the role that they are playing in and out of the classroom and to closely examine it.  It also requires teachers to think what the students are learning in & out of the classroom and to draw connections to the students outside world to that of their world inside the classroom. 

"The technologies we block in their classrooms flourish in their bedrooms. Students are growing networks without us, writing Harry Potter narratives together at FanFiction.net, or trading skateboarding videos on YouTube. At school, we disconnect them not only from the technology but also from their passion and those who share it."

Students are immersed in this technology as the writer of the article states it is an important question as to how much of this technology to bring into the classroom.  In my experience in teaching college comp, I've realized that while students may be knowledgeable about technology, they do NOT know how to use it in an academic setting.  I've tried to use Google docs for virtual writing conferences in lieu of person-to-person and after 3 weeks of trying this out, the students said that it was to complicated.  I'm not sure if I track it to the technology being difficult OR if they are just a little lazy. 

I know that students are using technology in their everyday lives.  I think that we, as teachers, need to not only impliment the use of technology into the classroom but how to use this tech in an academically viable and responsible manner. 

Chapter 8 Thoughts on PodCasting

Just what is Podcasting? Wikipedia defines podcasting as  a "series of digital media files (either audio or video) that are released episodically and downloaded through web syndication. The mode of delivery is what differentiates podcasts from other ways of accessing media files over the Internet, such as simple download or streamed webcasts"  This was helpful for me in determining what the definition is.  This is a great article from the University of Minnesota regarding the use of podcasting in education.  While it is a couple of years old, it still provides some basic, introductory information (at least I think so). 

This website contains a podcast (is it interactive...unsure) but I listened/watched the entire thing (not too long) and found it interesting.  He is basically questioning about allowing RSS feeds to branch out and to become more interactive with content about making choices regarding what is being offered and what you want to do next.  He calls it a "choose your own adventure RSS feed."  I also discovered this wiki re: podcasting in education. 

I searched and tried to find a sample interactive podcast or two and was unsuccessful.  Not really sure why this was.  I would really like to see an "interactive podcast" so I could get a feel for them. 

Anyone have any links???

Use of Wiki's in Education

I have a bunch of different blogs set up on my Reader and this morning as I was skimming them, I found these two interesting articles re: the use of Wiki's in education. Just thought I'd pass them along. The first one from The Journal, is about ways to move the students from passive to active and from a teacher-driven class to a student driven class. The second article comes from The Journal as well and is titled, "3 Challenges to Wiki Use in Instruction."

Just thought I'd share them....

Project Based Learning...

Yet again, another conflicted moment for me.  Currently in my Comp course I believe that I am currently using some concepts of Project Based learning.  I NEVER assign the students topics for their writings.  They have weekly writing (3-5 pages) as well as four larger papers to complete over the semester.  Students are able to write about what they know, enjoy and want to learn more about.  Their topics do have to be run by me so I can make sure that they are appropriate but they are free otherwise. 

In a true project based learning classroom/school, I wonder how the students fair post-this experience.  How do they test on the SAT/ACT?  What about in college?  Does this model of education mesh with meeting standards and NCLB (which I do have issues with, but we, as teachers, must acknowledge, embrace and help our students to meet and exceed state and federal benchmarks).  I'm also interested in when this video was produced? 

Now, all that being said, I could see myself using a PBL as a culminating activity.  for a larger unit so at least its framed in that context, but I think teachers do this already... grr.... don't have any final thoughts, just more questions...