CEDO 535 - WEEK 2 BLOGS, WIKIS AND PODCASTS

THIS WEEK AFTER READING THE ASSIGNED READINGS, PARTICULARLY ABOUT THINKING CREATIVELY, I FELT AN INSTANT CASE OF NERVES. I KNOW THAT CREATIVITY AND TEACHING GO HAND IN HAND, BUT BEGAN TO REALIZE THAT I SECRETLY FEARED THAT I HAVE LOST IT. I AM SLOWLY STARTING TO PANIC BECAUSE IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS I WILL HAVE BRAND NEW SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS SITTING AT DESKS, WAITING FOR ME TO ENGAGE THEM AND I REALLY THINK THAT I AM SCARED.

WHAT IF IN ALL THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF TEST PREPPING, AND LEAVING NO CHILD BEHIND, I HAVE REALLY LOST MY CREATIVITY? WHAT IF I CAN NOT FROM MY LEFT OR RIGHT BRAIN GET A GRIP ON HOW TO GET THEM AS EXCITED AS I WANT THEM TO BE ABOUT LEARNING WHILE INFUSING TECHNOLOGY INTO MY INSTRUCTION. I READ ABOUT THE CREATIVE WAYS OTHER EDUCATORS ARE USING TECHNOLOGY AND ADMIRE THEIR INNOVATION. THEM SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES INSPIRES ME AND TRIGGERS IDEAS OF MY OWN. I GET EXCITED AND ENTHUSED, BUT THEN THAT LITTLE VOICE IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD SAYS, “HOW CAN YOU DO THAT WHEN YOU HAVE TO COVER ALL OF THIS INFORMATION AND GET THEM READY FOR THE WKCE AND BENCHMARKS? HOW CAN YOU FOLLOW THE DISTRICT AND STATE’S MANDATES AND STILL HAVE YOUR STUDENTS BLOGGING, CREATING WIKIS? HOW DOES PODCASTING FIT INTO YOUR CURRICULUM? GET REAL, GIRLFRIEND! CAN YOU REALLY DO ALL OF THAT?”

MY ANSWER:
“YES I CAN! I DON’T KNOW EXACTLY HOW I’M GOING TO DO IT, BUT I AM GOING TO DO IT SO JUST STAY TUNED.”

MY PLAN:
• CREATE A CLASS BLOG THAT MY STUDENTS, THEIR PARENTS AND MY COLLEAGUES CAN FOLLOW AND COMMENT ON. I WILL POST MY SYLLABUS ON IT AND GIVE UPDATES ON WHAT WE ARE DOING AND EXPERIENCING AS A CLASS.
• SELECT STUDENTS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE ABILITY TO BEHAVE RESPONSIBLY ONLINE TO HELP MAINTAIN THE CLASS BLOG AND POSSIBLY CREATE THEIR OWN.

MY GOAL:
• HAVE STUDENTS CONTRIBUTING TO THE CLASS BLOG OR THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL BLOG AND HAVE STUDENTS ADD TO A WIKI THAT I STARTED BY THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
• HAVE PARENTS GO TO MY BLOG TO STAY INFORMED ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING IN CLASS AND GIVE SUGGESTIONS FOR RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS, OTHER PARENTS AND TEACHERS.

SO I TELL THAT LITTLE VOICE IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD TO TAKE A HIKE AND WATCH ME HELP MY STUDENT SHINE USING AND INFUSING TECHNOLOGY WHEN I CAN.

CEDO 535 Week I - What we discussed this week that I can apply in my school job and how I might use it

This week's class was eye opening and exciting as we discussed the development of technology tools and how they are used at large and their impact on education. We looked at blogging as a tool for collaboration among our students and light bulbs were flashing on everywhere. I have to admit that before entering this graduate program, things like blogging, tweeting, facebook, etc. were not of importantance to me. I gave them very little thought or time. I actually thought they were not relevant to me and what I did on a daily basis. Of course, now I feel very diffently.

Now that I am required to blog weekly, I find myself looking forward to it. This is because it provides me a vehicle to share my thoughts, not just with those who know and love me and dote on my every word. Blogging allows me to share my thoughts and idealogy with the masses, with people who agree with or differ from my point of view. It also allows me to get back in touch with something I have been missing for the last few years...writing about my perspective and getting feedback from others.

Seeing blogging as a valuable tool and the impact it is having on me as an educator, I can not in good conscience rob my students of this joy. How will I use this as a tool in my classroom and in my school? I am going to make blogging a part of the curriculum for my seventh and eigth graders to write about their service learning projects. I will also share my blogs with my students and colleagues as a model for responsible internet behavior and discussion of issues.

I believe that once my students see their writings posted and others besides myself are responding to their writing they will be inspired. I believe they will also get an enjoyment and boost to their self-esteem that will be immeasurable, resulting in their increase desire to write. With the increase desire to write, I hope to see improved writing. As I prepare to return to school, I will spend my time investigating the safest platforms to use with them and get prepared to read some mind changing posts from some of the most incredibly gifted groups of young people the world has yet to meet.