After reading all of the articles related to "Web 2.0" and "Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century," I have to admit that I am a little overwhelmed and intimidated. However, I am also excited to be part of this technology revolution. I have been teaching for over thirteen years, and some of these possibilities could be just what I need to rejuvenate my style of teaching. I have always considered myself a creative and flexible teacher, but when I think about all the things I could (and should) be doing that involve technology, it leaves a little to be desired.
One of the articles mentioned Web 1.0 involving reading, receiving, and researching. That was my experience with the internet during my college years and first years of teaching. The article went on to describe Web 2.0 as contributing, collaborating, and creating. I would love to create blog assignments, do podcasts, and use wikis. My biggest concern is time. It seems like it takes a lot of time to keep up with blogs. However, I am sure that it would be time well spent. And the more I use it, the better (and faster) I would become. Just like anything, practice makes perfect.
It is very important to keep students interested. Using all of the available technologies to create meaningful assignments would surely do that. If I don't take advantage of these opportunities, I am doing a disservice to my students. I would be comparable to one of my old high school teachers who used the same overhead transparencies for 20 years. Being a teacher in the 21st century is exciting, and I want to share that excitement with my students.
In my experience, teachers have wanted their students to have the latest, the greatest, the best, the most accurate information about a particular topic. For years now, we have been stuck in the textbook "rut." But no longer! There is, as I'm sure you've already discovered, SO MUCH information and data out there, and even better, it's so much easier to share that with others around the world.
ReplyDeleteIt's time for teachers to knock down the 4th wall of the classroom, and to make these resources available to students, and to take advantage of the many content experts who are out there as well. Sure, it's going to take time, and it's not 100% foolproof, but if we are to motivate our students, and to get them excited about learning how to learn, we have no other choice in my opinion.
I also feel at times, especially after taking this class, that I too should be doing a lot more for my students. I would love to try and figure out how to use all this good information in my classroom. I guess that we just have to do it, and like you said, "Practice makes perfect." And if we start and continue to use the information and tools we got from this class then it will come easier and faster for us.
ReplyDeleteI too wonder where we will find the time to start and keep up with all of this, but I am sure like some many times before...we will somehow manage and figure it out!!! :)