I think this class was the most valuable professional development class I've taken all year. I think it's been so valuable because these aren't just tools to help with instruction; with Web2.0 tools I can interact with and learn from other professionals in my field. I help my students understand character analysis and theme while also teaching them how to be responsible users and creators on the Internet.
My next step is to find more ways to use some of my favorite tools (Diigo, Flickr, Google Docs, Wikispace) and continue to search for more. As I mentioned in my voice thread, if I want to be successful in teaching my students to use the tools appropriately, I must use them myself.
The next step that I take may seem strange considering my enthusiasm for Web2.o tools, but I'm going to read about the criticisms of Web2.o. I remember reading a blog entry for one of the "things" and somehow stumbled upon an advertisement for a book that details the negative cultural, economic, and creative effects that Web2.0 has inflicted upon our society. I read an excerpt of this book on Amazon and while I don't think I agree with the points the author is trying to make, I still think it's worth taking a look at what the other side has to say.
Photo by aloshbennett on Flickr
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First of all, I'm so pleased to hear how highly you valued this course. It was a great experience for me when I did it, even though the content wasn't all new, but I never know how others will view it.
ReplyDelete"I think it's been so valuable because these aren't just tools to help with instruction; with Web2.0 tools I can interact with and learn from other professionals in my field."
And that is one of the "take aways" that I was hoping for. It isn't merely about the tools. Web 2.0 is social and I am hoping that more and more educators will learn about, appreciate, and use those social aspects of these tools to their advantage. There's no sense in working in isolation when you could have a cache of colleagues to call on at any time.
Thanks again, Sherelle! I enjoyed reading your blog over the semester and look forward to working with you in the future, especially seeing what you do with the tools. Oh, and you'll have to indoctrinate your new department as well. I'm offering the course again in early Fall.