Reading David Warlic's article "A Day in the Life of Web 2.0" was eye-opening. I am constantly in awe of all the ways students and teachers could be using technology to bring learning to life. The fact that the use of blogs, wikis, social sites, etc. could be used to make an assignment more than just an assignment really excites me. Unfortunately, Warlic's model setting that he describes seems so out of reach for what I see at my school. I teach at an elementary school, so I realize that some of the experiences would not be quite as advanced as the ones that are described in the 8th grade scenario used. But, the part of the teachers and administration could definitely be simulated. The problem I see is that the teachers I know are not as tech savvy as they need to be to put these applications to good use. Don't get me wrong, they have been exposed to blogs and use them to send information to the parents regarding the goings-on in class, class assignments, and general school news, but that is the extent that I mainly see.
Incorporating Web 2.0 tools in the classroom is important for engaged learning. It allows students to really participate in their school work. The kids are definitely on board, but not all of the teachers are. My excitement about all these tools and their incorporation into the assignments and learning can be contagious. My team always gets to hear about the new things I've learned in my grad classes and how we can begin to incorporate them into what we are teaching, but that doesn't mean they then go and do it themselves. So, how can I entice them enough to use/incorporate the tools themselves? How can I spread that even further into the other classes in my building? How can my administrators push the issue that we all have to change our teaching styles somewhat to make this happen without causing a school-wide revolt? These are the questions and scenarios I see that are holding us back.
I'm excited to dive further into learning these tools that are available. I'm excited to think about how I can incorporate them into my 1st grade classroom. Yes, I'm sure even my 1st graders can use these tools in some capacity and I'm anxious to see how. I'll keep you posted on our learning.
My school is the same. I really haven't heard yet of a school were all the teachers are on broad when it comes to technology. Everyone is at different comfort and savvy levels. The toughest challenge is to find a balance that everyone is comfortable with. In my experience of being the tech savvy in my school and trying to get everyone on board is to start simple. Start with something small that has a "WOW" factor. That catches their attention. Once they got that they will be coming back for more. Also need to be patient.
ReplyDeleteWe get so excited about something that we forget that not everyone feels the same. We know it is awesome and it might make their lives better but they just don't see it right away. Sometime when they complain I tell them I don't have that problem because I use .... and show them. Kind of like our students. Got to give them the "Wow" factor first.
I am excited about learning these new tools. My head is going a mile a minute thinking of ways to implement the tools in my classroom. What I like about many of the tools is that it holds the student accountable in an engaging way. You can mask the work by making it into something they would enjoy. Don't stop trying. I believe not everyone is for everything but everything is for everyone.
I say we all rise up and tell our administrators and co-workers that technology can make a lot of things easier and more exciting. The administration team tell us less pencil and paper, and more engage learning. If they would allow us to take the time to show a days lesson done with technology, it could make our teaching more appealing to those we teach. Lets start that revolution. For those who want the change, they will be hurting themselves with such a grand experience to appeal to the tech savvy students. The technology we are learning are for all ages. We just have to think which tool would be suitalbe for our young ones.
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