k12learning 2.0

Had no idea there was such a thing called Creative Commons. The 2 videos helped me understand the concept.

I am always disheartened to see, how only a few teachers even feel the need to educate our students about copyright laws. I suppose they feel it may not be as important a topic to cover in an elementary level. Copyright, can be confusing at times, however important enough to teach our students.  It is our responsibility to teach them the right way to use content viewed on the internet.  With blogging, wikis, there is definitely a need to know more about copyright!

I can see myself and my staff using Creative Commons to our benefits. Why reinvent the wheel? Teaching is all about sharing and sharing just got a little bit easier!!  I must admit i had never noticed the creative common signs either on websites, but then again i was not really looking for them. I like the way we can add it to Mozilla firefox and do searches.

Thing 8 – Wikis

Teacher First Wiki Walkthrough  helped me learn wiki’s components and what it is all about.

A Flat Classroom – the idea of sharing, collaborating, writing to students around the world is exciting. The fact that collaboration also helps in developing a healthy competition is fabulous.

Loved the Salute to Seuss- I can see myself using this as an example to get my elementary school teachers inspired to use wikis.

I am excited about utilizing some of these exciting tools in my profession, but also wonder what obstacles i will run into when introducing these with my students in my school districts where we are faced with blocks and filters.

I teach professional development to my staff members, perhaps setting up one as a tutorial site might be benefiical.   I can also see myself creating a wiki with Best Practices and cheatsheets that i can also share with my fellow techies in other schools.

Thing 7a – Begin to Build a Reading Habit

Wow, this is addicting and i have been restraining myself from adding too many rss feeds to my subscriptions.  While you build your knowledge base with all these articles and blogs, you also have to learn to manage time and learn the art of skimming through these blogs. I was wrong in saying we can keep the students focused on the articles we want them to read by having them subscribe. It sure was hard for me to stay on task.  Everytime i read some feeds, i was easily swayed to discover some more articles that i thought would help me gain a better insight which would then tempt me to add to my already long list of subscriptions!!

I chose to subscribe to some professional, news and personal publications.  It got to a point where i had to create folders to organise these feeds.  One feed i like is Will Richards- Blogged and specifically the article on Filter Fun,  where they talk about the filters the school districts have  placed to protect the students, rather than helping the students learn to safely surf the net.

I agree that we have to educate our parents and teach our students the netiquette rather than protecting them with filters.

I have truly enjoyed adding new rss feed to my google reader and reading them.  I have been using gmail and did not even realise this essential tool was simply waiting to be explored.  This is one tool i will defnitely use as it helps bring information/news to you, instead of you seeking it at different sites.  In the last couple of months I have been on information overload,  this truly allows us to keep us informed on the topics of interest.  Similarly I can see how it would help students focus on reading about their subject matter, without getting lost in the web.

Now we just have to discipline ourselves to read it on a daily basis. I can definitely see this tool to be a great asset to our students, where time is of the essence.

I have enjoyed reading the New York Times.  Especially, on the day of elections and keeping up with the current tabs of the electoral votes being counted.

Wow, there is so much information that one can easily get lost or drowned in reading!!! I loved the blog – “Ripe in Environment” & “Rationale for educational blogging”

I suppose i had to have  read both those blogs to even first convince myself how blogging can benefit the students who  i work with in an elementary school environment. I also worry about the students being able to stay focused on the writing task when there is such wealth of information out there when they are online.

Blog writing is good for great writers that love to express themselves . Blogging sites gives these writers an opportunity to share their insights and opinions with others. To be blogging, i feel one has to be fluent in technology and in writing. There is so much information on blogging sites, that it is important for bloggers to be able to captivate their audience and also be engaging writers.

I agree there are so many tools but do we have to embrace and utilize every tool just because it is out there?

I cannot wait to get upto speed with some of the Web 2.0 tools so I can then spread the knowledge amongst our staff members and also start using it for my own benefit..

I see how Web 2.0 tools help students get excited about learning. Many times, the students do not even realize these actitivities are helping them learn and increase their test scores, they are simply excited about the interaction that they encounter with other students around the world or even amongst their own classmates. It even motivates, encourages students that may have learning disabilities /challenges or perhaps may not be such great writers to become great bloggers!  It also helps students and teachers engage in discussions and debates.

However, before we see these tools being used in schools, especially in the elementary level where i teach,  there will have to be a shift in how teachers perceive their role as a teacher. A lot of times these days, they have to simply be facilitators.  So they would have to shift their way of thinking, and also accept the fact, that it is  ok for them to learn from their students. They would have to be open to adapt to the changes in the way we will educate our students in the future.

I would love to be working in a school that David Warlick was talking about, where everyone is on board and are using RSS, blogs, etc in their daily lives!!! I suppose that is where our responsibilities  lies. As IT people it will be our responsibility to spread the enthusiasm and our knowledge with other faculty and staff members and bring them on board!

Which habit may be most challenging for you to employ as part of your ETC K12 Learning 2.0 experience?

For me personally the most challenging is:

Habit #2 Accepting responsibility for your own Learning:

After having signed up for this course, I realize now how important it is to discipline myself to take the time to prioritize my own life and make time for my own personal growth. This online course has required me to organize and prioritize my time.  I did not have to take this course for PLU’s or any kind of requirement /certification but merely because I wanted to.  With the nature of my job, ongoing education and keeping up with technology is what is going to keep us on the edge of technology. It was easy attending workshops and taking courses, that were set up for us and was a requirement.

I enjoy learning and have always stretched and challenged myself.  What i have already learnt by taking an online course is that it is something i have to make myself go to, as this is a do it at your own pace and time course.  At the same time, it is easy to procrastinate and let other things take priority  and get far behind, especially when it is something you are not required to do but would like to do

Most important:

Habit # 3 View problems as challenges;

Our job brings daily challenges and problems. It is our positive attitude that will help us transform problems into challenges. It is important how we impart these behavior and attitudes to our staff and students that will make/break technology at our schools. We are the role models at our school.

Easiest : Habit # 7 Teach and Mentor others

I strongly believe i learn better by teaching and making mistakes. I also feel i am empowering my teachers and students with the tools they need for the 21st century.  I do feel our district is a bit behind in some of the latest technology, and have realized it even more so, after taking this course.  I thrive on learning new technology and continue to find opportunities of sharing these with our staff members as and when time permits. Lately our school system has gone through a lot of changes, leaving them very little time to “play” with technology, which is truly putting us behind unfortunately.

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