Anderson’s Web 2.0 Blog

OK………I think that I am now addicted to the Google Reader.  I have managed to add about 40 different feeds, and I feel as if I have just begun to scrape the surface.  I know that all of you have heard of Kathy Schrock, but I LOVE her feed.  She always has cutting edges things mentioned in many of her posts that give me the heads-up on what is out there and coming soon!!!  One that I found VERY ENTERTAING was the post with the link to many NECC attendees riding a mechanical bull—were any of you participants in this??  If so, you might find yourself here.  http://kathyschrock.net/blog/2008/07/pic-on-bull.html.  I have enjoyed reading those of you who have posted your 7A assignments as well, and I have added a few more feeds from your suggestions. 

     Along with all the education blogs that I have subscribed to, I also had to add the Georgia Bulldogs News updates as well as several on raising special needs children.  In reading the ones for Special Needs parents it really made me want to host my own because I feel like I have so much to share with having a 1-year old amazing Special Needs child………….but who has time…………that is probably why so many of the sites are not updated frequently.  JJ

     Well….it is 1:00 A.M., and my husband does not understand how I can be on Google Reader for so long……….  Just wait……..he will be “begging” for me to set him up one soon.  JJ

            WOW!!!  How addicting the Google Reader can be……I found myself still reading articles hours later.  I will admit that the organized person it me immediately began making folders and getting my “stuff” in categories.  In reading our new feeds, I really enjoyed the Grammar Grater and found myself searching through past podcasts on various grammar topics.  I thought many times of how useful this would be if I were still in the classroom working with students and grammar.  It is a great resource, and I cannot wait to share this with my teachers at my schools.  I know that there are many grammar mysteries out there and the Grammar Grater has addressed so many of them in very short podcasts that would be perfect to implement into the classroom for teachers.  One “grammar thing” that has always confused me was when to use affect and when to use effect.  Can you believe it??  I found a podcast about it.  If you want to listen……..here is the link.  http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/podcasts/grammar_grater/archive/2007/07/26/  

     LOVE THE BLOGS!!!  Out of the 5 that I chose to read…..the one that “struck” me the most was “Patrick’s Update”.  (http://itc.blogs.com/patrick/) It was so inspiring as a teacher to see all the bloggers rallying behind Patrick to pass the 5^th grade in his many posts.  I am sure that there are many students out there who are in similar circumstances who may not know how to “have a voice”.  I think that this would also be a GREAT blog to share with students because many times they may feel some of these same things and not know how to express their feelings and get the support that they need to overcome obstacles.

      One of his posts that I felt would “speak to students” was the “Three Good Tips” post.  It talks about writing and some things that would make students a better writer.  I can imagine a fellow 5^th grader taking what he says to heart via the blog versus listening to his teacher try to help him.  JJ  Here is the link to this post.  (http://itc.blogs.com/patrick/2005/03/three_good_tips.html)

      Another blog that I really enjoyed was the 2^nd graders, “Duck with a Blog”.  It was so interesting to read about Daisy and imagine doing this with 7-8 year-olds….HOW EXCITING!!!  The additions of the pictures, student artwork, etc. made the blog come to life for me.  I think the “2^nd grade duck theories” were very entertaining in where they thought Daisy might have gone—I go with shopping to Macy’s.  Check out other theories here…..  (http://duckdiaries.edublogs.org/2nd-grade-duck-theories/)  STAY AWAY from the sad news…..http://duckdiaries.edublogs.org/2006/05/04/sniffsad-news-to-share/  I am sure it was quite a challenge to the teacher when they have been documenting the “egg” to have it come to an end in such a tragic way. 

      As I read more and more………the time just zoomed by.  I could very easily get consumed in reading blogs.  It is so true—they are about ANYTHING—I think that is why it was so easy to read and have FUN with blogs.   The genre of blog writing varies with the various blogs, but many of them take on the narrative approach and tell stories.  When reading a blog—you have to know that the most current post is at the top…….our tendency is to read the story from beginning to end……if we wanted to do this in a blog, we would need to use the archives and retrieve the oldest post and work our way up through the story.  I will have to admit….I found myself doing this a few times. 

     In writing a blog, you can have many “trains of thoughts”.  In each new post, you are not required to pick up from the last post……….you can just enter your thoughts for the post.  It is similar to other types of writing in that you do try to tell a story within each post.  The comments within the posts make the BLOG!!!  It is really nice to receive feedback about your posts, and the blogger knows that someone is reading their posts. 

     In reading blogs, there is definitely a “blogging literacy”.  You have to get in that mind set versus reading a novel.  It is quite different, but FUN!!!  Blogging can facilitate learning in that you are giving your students “voices” to be heard on many topics.  If used effectively, a blog can facilitate learning for many different types of learners.    

     In thinking about Web 2.0, I get very excited about all the possibilities that could happen in the classroom.  It opens the doors for every student to excel in one way or another.  There are many times that our most challenged students academically can excel in an area if only given the “right tools”.  I feel that Web 2.0 and its implementation in schools and classrooms will change the way of teaching and learning for all of us. 

     Being a former 6^th grade teacher, I would immediately begin implementation of these tools allowing our (teachers and students) “toolboxes” to grow.  The “digital learners” of today will be experts on many of the tasks that we bring to them, and many times they will help the teacher to perfect the process.  The one thing we have to learn is that it is OK that the students may teach the “teacher” something………Web 2.0 is a world where many students will be the “teachers”. 

     I would want to use Web 2.0 tools in my schools and classrooms because you can create engaged learners who are excited about teaching and learning and this will reflect in our test scores.  Many times the students will not consider these activities as an assignment but as FUN!!! 

     I am always learning, and I can’t wait to get more into the Web 2.0 tools—I was totally amazed with the article about the middle school with EVERYONE on board and using technology including blogs, RSS feeds, social bookmarking, etc.  How AMAZING would it be to work at a school like that!!!!!   

     In reflecting on my lifelong learning and the 7 ½ Habits of Effective Lifelong Learners, I feel that number 1-Begin with the end in mind will by far be my most challenging.  As an ITS for four elementary schools, there are many days that I cannot think ahead to the next group of teachers or training topic that I will be working with much less the “end” product or outcome. 

     Of the 7 ½ habits, the easiest for me as a lifelong learner will be to teach and mentor others.  I do this every day at my schools, and to be honest this is why I am an ITS.  I truly love my job….I remind myself of this during those “stressful” times in the schools!!!  I get such satisfaction from walking away from a teacher or group of teachers who are excited about an emerging technology, and they can’t wait to implement it with their students.  WHO AM I KIDDING??  I love it when I walk away and I have trained the students how to make sure the teacher’s sound works when she needs it to.  JJ

     By far, the most important task for me as I work through this course will be number 7 1/2-PLAY!!!   I tend to want to be a perfectionist in everything, and I am quickly learning that there are things that I have to live with and just enjoy life.  There are times that I feel we are all overwhelmed and we must always remember the PLAY aspect.  I am so excited about our Web 2.0 course because I feel like we are going to explore, discover, and implement many things that will be FUN, and we can PLAY!!!