W EB 2.0: F ILLING M Y T OOLBOX A Final Reflection By Christina
Gaura EDUG 570
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I NTRODUCTION Im writing this to share with all those other
teachers out there (especially those at Oak Glen) that wonder how
theyre going to adapt and keep up with the ever-changing
technology. When I started my technology adventure I was totally
unaware of how little I knew. I was the one politely listening in
class for the first hour. All the while wondering what in the world
is Web 2.0? After I finally got up the courage to raise my hand and
ask, it was comforting to hear another teacher say, yeah, what is
it anyway. Technology is just too important. It cant be ignored.
After this class, I have a real taste of the possibilities. Im
excited to be a teacher at such a critical time for reading and
writing!
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I N T HE B EGINNING Before my class I was at more of a Web 1.0
level. I would never have thought of creating my own website(wiki
or Ning). I confess instructional technology was not my strong
point. Some technology formats I was familiar with are listed
below. Email Word Documents Texting/cell phone Digital Photography
What is your technology comfort level? What are your strengths? Can
you teach them to other teachers? We can learn together
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N OW On the following pages I will describe where Im at now in
my level of technology comfort. The technology projects I have
created serve as the beginning of my web 2.0 toolbox. You can
create one tooone click at a time!
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W IKI In technology class I learned to make my own website
using a wiki. A wiki can be used to share information with
students, teachers and parents. Students can also complete
assignments and post research and work on the site which
facilitates a unique atmosphere of collaboration! Just think, the
students can take responsibility for their learning and help each
other! My wiki is called LansingReadingTeacher and can be found on
wikispaces (where educators can get a free and secure account with
no advertising) at the following web address:
http://lansingreadingteacher.wikispaces.com/
http://lansingreadingteacher.wikispaces.com/
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D IGITAL S TORY We want our students to do more reading and
writing. Consider digital stories. Digital stories are an exciting
way to combine reading, writing and creative thinking in a
collaborative process that your students will love! I have learned
that a digital story can be made using something as simple as a
power point with text and pictures. Voice recording and music add
to the creative element. Students can use programs such as Animoto
(found online) and Photo Story 3 for Windows (what I used). I also
experimented with making a simple story for kindergarteners using
Kid Pix and Photo Story 3. I think all of our students can benefit
from writing digital stories. Even the littlest students can
dictate to the teacher and/or record their voices. See my wiki for
examples of digital stories.
http://lansingreadingteacher.wikispaces.com/Digital+Storie s
http://lansingreadingteacher.wikispaces.com/Digital+Storie s
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N ING A Ning, like a wiki, is a social networking site. There
are free Nings available for educators. These can be wonderful ways
for students, parents and teachers to connect. I find that the Ning
is probably more appropriate for teachers to connect and share
expertise than for younger students. You can post blogs, links to
other sites, pictures, videos and much more on a Ning. My Ning is
called LansingReadingTeacher. Feel free to check it out and join
at: http://lansingreadingteacher.ning.com/
http://lansingreadingteacher.ning.com/ You can also create your own
Ning!
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W EB Q UEST A web quest is a powerful learning tool. Teachers
can plan a wonderful learning experience that will foster
collaboration, creativity and independent learning using a web
quest. This type of learning fosters the higher level thinking that
we are constantly striving to include in our teaching. Your
students will get excited about learning if you use a web quest.
Consider including one and find out. Setting up your first web
quest can be a daunting task, but never fear there are many
resources available on the web and some sites where you can even
borrow a web quest. Check out The Webquest Page, Quest Garden and
Zunal Web Quest Maker for examples and ideas.
http://webquest.org/index.phphttp://webquest.org/index.php
http://questgarden.com/ http://www.zunal.com/ Feel free to use my
web quest. You can find it at:
http://lansingreadingteacher.wikispaces.com/Sea+Animal+Web+Q uest
http://lansingreadingteacher.wikispaces.com/Sea+Animal+Web+Q
uest
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D IGITAL F IELD T RIPS While researching my web quest I
stumbled onto a list of resources for Digital Field Trips. This is
a great idea for a way to introduce a unit and or to further study
on a topic. Just think, your class can visit the Smithsonian
without leaving the school. This could even be a whole class trip
by utilizing Smart Board Technology. Another possibility is that
students could complete the field trip as extra credit or homework
from the comfort of their own homes! Follow this link to a bunch of
trips. http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listvirt
ualgr.html
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E SSENTIAL W EB 2.0 S ITES There are so many other
instructional technology opportunities out there on the web. During
my class I explored some of them using a list given in class. The
link to the different sites is below. Check out some of them and
get started on filling your toolbox!
http://www.onlinedegree.net/100-essential-2-0-
tools-for-teachers/
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I N T HE F UTURE I can envision a workshop for our school to
learn about the many Web 2.0 possibilities. I hope to see more web
quests, wikis, Nings, Digital Stories and other Web 2.0
applications happening in our school. By the end of this school
year we will have Smart Boards in every classroom. I hope this
triggers an explosion of instructional technology!
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C ONCLUSION My technology adventure is just beginning. I hope
to keep the momentum going. I have been reading and writing more
with this class than any other class I have taken. Its fun, and I
know my students will love learning with technology! Its our
future, and as educators we need to embrace it.