Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Final Blog Post for EDSE 501

Web 2.0 has made me yoUnique!!

[SCRIPT: OMG, I can’t believe this course is over. I am experiencing excitement and sadness at the same time. Does that make me bi-polar? So I have decided to go out on a limb somewhat and put my mark where my mouth is and present this final blog using a combination of the different technologies we’ve experienced and some we haven’t. The technologies we haven’t used in this course are ones I’ve found through the people and groups I’ve been following over the term and started using myself. Before I get into this posting, I’d like to officially thank everyone in the course who has shared with me, inspired me and made me grow so much. ]

Evidence of research and/or reading and/or linking to appropriate articles from course materials or other sources (4)

[SCRIPT: I have read so much during this course. Some of it on the fly while trying to keep up with Facebook, Twitter, blogs and other the other sources I have flooding my computer screen each day. Throughout all of the readings there is one resounding sentiment that I keep hearing. It’s that teachers and schools need to engaged students in the use of Web 2.0 tools to prepare them for work and life in the 21^st Century. So what I’d like to do is present some of the key learning I have taken away about Web 2.0 that I will take away and use and share with the hope of proselytizing my students and colleagues.]

Here goes…

1. I’ve learned that community is something that can be built with people hundreds and even thousands of miles away that you have never met before. Sadly, I have more to do with folks who don’t even live in the same country as I do than I do with my next door neighbours and some family members.

2. I’ve learned that we can’t live in isolation anymore. Web 2.0 brings people together in an unprecedented way. YALSA in its paper on social networking affirms that, “Social networking technologies create a sense of community as do the physical library and school…” (YALSA, n.d.).

I think that this sense of community and connection is the one thing I never expected at the beginning of this course. This has really caught me off guard in a fantastic way. I actually look forward to checking out what the folks I follow are doing and see what new gems they have for me every day and then I hope that I can reciprocate with a few gems of my own!

3. I’ve learned that the only place on the planet that hasn’t figured out the power of social networking is schools. In the Holt and Cornelius (2009) article entitled “Did Horton Really Hear a Who? Incorporating Web 2.0 Tools”, the authors state that maybe we should start calling social networking, “academic networking” or “academic collaboration” and maybe educators would be more willing to adopt some of these technologies into their classrooms. Mark van’t Hooft supports this when he states, “rather than appreciating the varied and often creative ways in which young people make use of new technologies, adults tend to be wary or even afraid of digital tools and seek to strengthen restrictions on their use in schools and libraries” (Van’t Hooft. 2007).

This is where I think I can make a small difference. By having the privilege of educating pre-service teachers I have the opportunity to model the use of these tools to new educators and then hope these new teachers take the skills I teach them into the 21^st century classroom. I also think I am making a difference by showing and demonstrating some of these Web 2.0 technologies to my colleagues. From these informal and impromptu demonstrations I am hoping they will see the benefits of these social and collaborative technologies in their classrooms. I do know for sure that I have already got one Animoto convert and one XtraNormal convert!! I’ll will keep bringing out my soapbox and I am hoping that more and more of my colleagues will take the steps required to keep up with their students.

4. I’ve learned that social networking and the skills students use in networking actually build the 21^st Century literacy skills needed to the Information age. Digizen.org (2007) presents seven benefits of social networking. As a result of social networking via Web 2.0,

a. Young people become social participants and active citizens

b. Young people develop a voice and building trust

c. Young people become content creators, managers and distributors

d. Young people become collaborators and team players

e. Young people become explorers and learners

f. Young people become independent and build resilience

g. Young people develop key and real world skills

Further, The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (n. d.), a group of business and educational organizations, acknowledges that society has changed, and in order for students to thrive in today’s society, educators must adapt.

Spivy, Young and Cottle (2007) continue to support this notion when they observe,

Pre-service educators are at the forefront of school reform. If students in the 21st century are going to be prepared for the future that awaits them, new teachers must be equipped with skills that will lead to educational transformation. In the next decade, over two million new teachers will be hired (National Center for Education Statistics, 2007). Although these new teachers are Digital Natives, most of them will be taught by Digital Immigrants or individuals that “were not born into a digital world” (Prensky, 2001, p. 1). Their university professors and their cooperating teachers have had to adapt quickly to this ever-changing environment. While assimilating at warp speed this new “language”, pre-service educators must not only learn to speak the language but they must also integrate it into their pedagogical repertoire in such a way that students are inspired to model their actions.

Web 2.0 can help garner the 21^st century type of skills in pre-service teachers, in practicing teachers and in the students both groups of teachers are trying to reach. Using these tools, ‘letting’ students use these tools creates a constructivist, situated and project-based learning environment and this is exactly what the research suggests teachers and schools need to do for the kids of today and tomorrow.

Reflecting on Learning (including what I’ve learned from colleagues’ blogs) (6)

When I look back and think about what I’ve learned from my cohort’s blog postings, a few names come up immediately. Rob was the first blog I followed and his blog was also the one that inspired me at the very beginning to add some flare to my blog in the form of widgets. I played and explored and finally came up with a few of my own. Cluster maps was one widget that captured my attention. It is incredible to see the little red dots appear from all over the globe and then realize that these are people I don’t know and they’re checking out my blog. It’s crazy!! Lois also inspired me a bit with her Shelfari widget. It took me a while to figure out how to get my bookshelf to appear, but I finally did it!

I also didn’t think about or realize (when I was playing with my bookshelf) that there was so much social networking, discussion and sharing around books on the WWW. Then it got me thinking that this is exactly what Web 2.0 is all about. It is a community built up around authors, genres and books. How cool!! Let me say that again, how cool! It is Brad’s Book Club (Oprah, eat your heart out) and all you need is a comfy couch and a tasty beverage and you’re set. A person’s circle of knowledge just grew exponentially. Instead of a few people discussing a book down at Chapters over a Starbucks, we’re doing this globally in front of our fireplaces or on our decks! Did I say “how cool” yet?

Then there’s Brandi!! I can’t even begin to remember all the LOLs I’ve had over the term because of Brandi. It is amazing that she can get her sense of humour across to people who have never met her. I think that’s a skill and says reams about her. There is a whole research dissertation right there. The use of humour in Web 2.0. Reminds me of the article I read called, “Did Horton Really Hear a Tweet? And of course, how could I not mention my absolute personal favorite about “breaking up”! I kind of stole this one and used it at the end of this term with my EDIT students. The last class was over and no one was leaving and they all looked so sad. So I stole Brandi’s line and said they all looked like I was going to “break up” with them. Of course I told them I wouldn’t, at least not until after the final exam! Maybe this is a location joke, but I was there and it was funny!!

I also have to give Ed honorable mention for his “media locker”! At some points during this class I kind of felt like all this Web 2.0 was more like the Hurt Locker!

Then there’s my bud Mel and his damn Web2point0 blog. Damn him, I still want that name! He is probably the person I have communicated the most with over the term. He has had so many great ideas and shared so many things with me. He has so many creative ideas and unique and original thoughts. I think he should be in marketing not teaching! I think his blog about blogs was my favorite as I have had the privilege of seeing Mel’s blog about him and his family teaching overseas. Lastly, Mel’s quote that, “Social Networking refers to the creation of a group (network) of people in order to share common interests and/or to re-kindle/maintain relationships” (Varga, 2010), really rings true with my Shelfari and so many of the other tools we’ve used. Mel you owe me. I am probably the first person to quote you!!

Discussion of the implications for my future thinking, work, networking, PD, etc. (5)

My thinking about this course and the use of these tools has changed drastically. Not only has using the tools opened my eyes to the potential, but the readings, the tweets, the blogs and all of the other resources (I’ve stashed in my Hurt Locker) have forever changed the way I look at teaching and learning.

As far as future thinking goes, and as I have already stated, I have been advocating and pushing the use of these technologies with my colleagues at RDC. I have also been gently advocating Web 2.0 with my wife who is a grade five teacher. I continue to amaze my wife with the things I do with my pre-service teachers and I think this inspires her to stretch a bit in her class. Heck she’s an active Wikispaces user now! I’ve got my oldest reading blogs now and like I said in a previous post, this is a coup! I’ve got my youngest thinking about how she uses Facebook. She continues to show me all the cool things she does on the web. Here picture editing is the latest. And, as an aspiring photographer and teacher I am sure she will continue to hook into the plethora web tools that are out there.

As far as some new directions I’m heading in, I am already in the process of revamping my EDIT 302 class at RDC to incorporate many of these Web 2.0 technologies and to drop some of the expensive Microsoft and stand alone technologies I presently use. In the chart below, you can see some of the Web 2.0 projects I have my students working on this term. They included Glogster, DabbleBoard, Bubbl, Wordle, Mixbook and Webs.com. 

In the Fall 2010 term, I am going to include Animoto as an alternative to PhotoStory, MindMeister, Tagxedo  and Text2MindMap as alternate choices to Inspiration, DabbleBoard and Bubbl. I am also going to introduce Flickr, Prezi, Slideshare, Xtranormal and YouTube. All written (word processed) work will have to be submitted via Google Docs, the class Blog and shared with everyone. Also, the teaching presentations my students do will have to be recorded, edited and posted to YouTube and the blog.

As Department Chair for the B. Ed. Program at RDC, one of our strategic directions our department will be going is with the adoption of Web 2.0 tools in all of our classes to some degree. Everyone in my department really does sees the merit and the importance, so I believe the time is right to move ahead with these technologies. This exploration will be a part of our May and June department PD. I am so committed to this, I have suggested that we don’t go on a department trip this year and we spend our money and bring someone in to teach Web 2.0 to the group. I was thinking about Will Richardson!! He has actually been to RDC and I missed him, but I’ve enjoyed his book, Tweets and his blogs.

Also, as a user and hopefully role model with my EDIT class, I would like to work from now (after exams are over) until the end of June doing little tech bites with my EDIT staff to show and model the technologies my class will use in the near future.

Lastly, I am hoping that in my new role as the Chair of the IT Steering Committee, I will be able to articulate the importance and champion the adoption of technologies at RDC that support and enable the use of Web 2.0.

References

Digizen. (2007). Young people and social networking services. Retrieved from http://www.digizen.org.uk/socialnetworking/.

Holt, K. & Cornelius, F. (2009). Did horton really hear a who? Incorporating Web 2.0 tools. In T. Bastiaens et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2009 (pp. 3508-3517). Chesapeake, VA: AACE. Retrieved from http://www.editlib.org/p/32990.

Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). 21st century skills in West Virginia. Retrieved from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org

Spivy, M., Young, D. & Cottle, A. (2008). Bridging the digital divide: Successes and challenges in the implementation of 21st century skills. In K. McFerrin et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2008 (pp. 1534-1539). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

Retrieved from http://www.editlib.org.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/p/27411.

van 't Hooft, M. (2007). Schools, children, and digital technology: Building better relationships for a better tomorrow. Innovate 3 (4). Retrieved from http://www.innovateonline.info/index.php?view=article&id=376 (accessed April 24, 2008).

Varga, M. (2010). Join the collective via social networking. Retrieved from http://myweb2point0world.blogspot.com/2010/03/join-collective-via-social-networking.html.

YALSA. (n.d.). Teens and social networking in schools and public libraries: A toolkit for librarians and library workers. Retrieved from: http://bit.ly/8ZuoUY

Augmented Reality - Very Cool

What's A Letter?

Fernando Explains EDIT 302

Check out my new crib in Second Life

This is my new house (#139) in Second Life. I will be using it as a gallery (eportfolio) to store artifacts from teaching. It is a spin-off from my "Portfolioallery" project in EDUC 575 at the U of A.

The Nine Planets

Part of a assignment for one of my other classes.

Blog About Blogs and Don’t Forget RSS

Reflections on the process of learning about the tool (3 points)

Blogging about blogs. I really worked hard at trying to make an alliteration with this, but I came up short. So I really have to give Tom top marks for his “B.L.O.G. - B for breaking news, L for latest updates, O for only what you want, and G for global”. Darn you for stealing my thunder![heavy on the winky ;)]

Again, I feel that the learning process and curve for this week’s tool, blogs and RSS wasn’t too steep. I feel like I have become quite adept at the technical end of blogging and this has freed me up to keep working on finding my voice.

At the beginning of term, I set-up my blog for this class and since then I have set-up a few others. If you count the blogs, I have seven on Blogger and two on WordPress. I am just playing with WordPress, but I don’t like it because it's too busy. Blogger is clean and simple! I also set-up my RSS feeds at the beginning of the term with GoogleReader and they have worked flawlessly. I mention them (12 and 19) in more detail in a bit.

Of course, all of the reader feeds were made easy by Joanne providing us with a really good base to start from. I think it’s amazing (and I’ll talk more in the next section about this) how just a few names (Blogs) to follow can grow into a very big network (PLN) in a very short period of time.

Another tool area I did some learning in was with one add-on that WordPress has that Blogger doesn’t. Specifically, I like “Cumulus” cloud tags (tell me this isn’t cool!) and the WordPress iPhone app. Blogger has an app called BlogPress and it’s pretty good and I do use it from time to time, but I like WordPress the best for its sophistication. Both apps are easy to use and post to your blog very nicely.

As far as RSS feeds go, I jumped on Google Reader at the beginning of the class and have stuck with it thus far. It is super easy to use and it integrates perfectly with my iGoogle page where I get updates for new posts several times throughout the day. Using an aggregator like GoogleReader is the only way to go. It saves so much time by not having to look for relevant information. It’s always better when things come to you. Kinda like that TD Bank commercial with the two old guys! I also like the balloon feature that GoogleReader has. When you click on an interesting post, it gives you a short synopsis of the post and if you like it, you can check it out. See the picture below.

Discussion of the tool in terms of your personal learning (e.g. me as a learner, me as a parent, me as part of a social group) (3 points)

My personal learning using blogs, their tools and RSS feeds has been the area I think I’ve grown the most. Maybe even become more sophisticated in. All of the readings this week have been great. The course books, the Trailfires and their related gems have really stretched my mind and made me think of all the possibilities.

The 25 Blogging Styles reading/slideshow was significant as I really opened my eyes to the possibilities of blogs. Knowing what types of blogs to write, how often and the likelihood of being read is extremely useful. I really do see the merit in using blogs personally, but I see an even greater opportunity for using blogs in schools with kids. Therefore, I really, really see the merit in using blogs with pre-service teachers so they know about blogs and how to use them in their classrooms. I think knowing this type of information (blogging styles) would help in the classroom when creating and posting student blogs.


Richardson and Davies and Merchant in their respective books state that in order for kids to be using all of these Web 2.0 tools meaningfully, teachers must have a firm understanding of the tool and the pedagogical implications of using these tools. So Joanne, you need to offer this or a course like it to undergrads! I think it should be a “C & I” course that all Education students have to take in order to graduate!!

The Seth Godin video, albeit short, was incredible. It really left me wanting more and thinking about my meager blog offerings in a more positive light.

I’d like to provide the text of what he says in this posting, but it is way more powerful when listened too! Text just can’t do it justice. Okay, just this bit. “…The metacognition is what matters”. I guess every time I say, “it really got me thinking” it’s a bit of metacognition!! So…, reading blogs and writing a blog has really got me doing this. Thinking about what’s in my head and trying to articulate it using a variety of mediums on my blogs!

Another reading I found interesting was the Student Blogging Guidelines. I think this is important because it gives teachers a framework in which to begin their blogging with kids. All teachers and parents are worried that their kids won't be safe on the internet. In a recent study I read, only 41% of parents thought teachers were keeping their kids safe while on the internet at school. I think this ties nicely into Davies and Merchant's chapter on Responsibility. 

In the Audience Matters reading, the “eyeballs, teachers and co-learners” progression really struck a chord with me. This is a natural progression for blogging and thinking. Sometimes we talk about what’s going on in our lives, sometimes we even try to teach/tell people stuff and eventually we progress to involving others in our blogs as co-learners and authors because we see the power of collaborating. This of course is also where we want to take our students, but in order to do that, we need to be proficient at blogging ourselves. Again, this is where a course like this Web 2.0 one helps. I also think that we all need to be advocates for this process and sometimes even force people a bit out of their comfort zone.

This term in my EDIT class, I have posted all my notes and everything else related to my class to my blog. I have even forced my students to post to the blog and read it too!! I have forced them to add a blog tab and three postings to the websites they’ve created at Webs.com. I am hoping in a very subtle way, some of them will see the merit in using a blog as a teacher. Next term, I am going to make each student create their own blog in Blogger and keep a running record of the lectures, post their thoughts about the class presentations and lectures and also to begin (again subtly) a bit of an ePortfolio.

As a parent, I have been trying to help my oldest daughter (an aspiring Calgary Police Service Constable) with technology a bit. I’ve been trying to show her there is more than iTunes, YouTube and other brainless music videos on the internet! So, I’ve turned her onto the Calgary Police Service’s Blog and Facebook page. This might actually be a parental Coup d'état!!

As far as my social group goes, I am following 12 blogs and I have 19 blog subscriptions. Seth Godin’s blog is my latest. I would probably be following more blogs, but I am following a host of other folks on Twitter (being the convert I am) and my Twibe keeps me up to date.

I have also shown my EDIT 302 blog (as humble a beginning as it might be) to many of my RDC colleagues and they are impressed and some of them are starting their own. The same goes for wikis. I have one total wiki convert. His wiki is a Middle Years wiki for collaboration and to use as a virtual staff meeting!

Discussion of the tool in terms of your professional learning (e.g. me as a teacher, me as a school leader, me as a teacher-librarian, me as a member of professional learning communities/networks). This takes into account technology integration, use in schools, pros and cons, etc. (3 points)

I think I’ve covered most of what is listed in the preamble to this section. However, I am Chairing the newly formed IT Steering Committee at RDC and as Chair, I have insisted that all info, decisions and desiderata be posted to a Blog on the RDC portal so we can transparently share information with faculty, staff and students. Of course, I will also request authoring access to the blog!

Blogs like any tool have their pros and cons. See my MindMeister mindmap (one of my new favorite Web 2.0 tools) for my pros and cons.

Evidence of Research and Further Reading (3 points)

See listings throughout my posting.

Some key learning/points from Richardson.

1. The Google and Internet archive projects. It is unbelievable that the biggest collection of books in human history is going to be digitized. I really do think this will go down in the annuls of human history as one of man’s greatest achievements. Maybe Blio will allow us all to read this information for free??

2. I thought the 10 big shifts were interesting and important. Especially the social construction of knowledge which really applies to blogging. I really think that social constructivists really got it right a long time ago and when you nail it, it's hard to argue against it. Blogging fits with so many different learning theories, it is hard to deny how good this type of activity is for kids and teachers.

3. The text a question to “46645” was very cool. I even showed my wife this one!! She was foolish enough to ask what the meaning of life was!! 

Some key learning/points from Davies and Merchant.

This is the first time in this book I thought the information these authors were sharing outdid Richardson!

1. Firstly, I really like the “responsibility” part of Chapter 9. I literally preach this to my undergrads all the time. How their role as a teacher is different. How they need to teach kids to be safe. So it was very poignant for me to have some validation!! 

2. I liked the “learning and reflection unfolding over time” piece when they referred to blogging. I really believe this is true! Blogging is the perfect tool to facilitate reflection. Heck, isn't this what we've been trying to get kids to do for so many years? We just need to blog and have kids blog about important and meaningful things in their lives. NO more "what I did on summer vacation" papers!! If you do, then use Animoto to show us instead of tell us! Or better yet, embed your Animoto into your blog!!

3. Of course the purpose, participation, partnerships and planning diagram struck home with me as well. This gave me some food for thought about how I might find my voice!! Of course purpose is everything and this ties in with the Audience Matters and 25 Styles readings.

4. I also like the reference to all this media being “Social Objects” which people gather around to discuss and grow. This is where I’ve gravitated to. To social objects, to people that let me learn, reflect and then voice my thoughts and opinions about what I’ve learned using literally any medium I want!! And, I don't have to leave the comfort of my home on a cold winter night to do this!! My quilting club (kidding) now comes to me!

Respectfully,

Brad

Teaching In the 21st Century

Teaching In the 21st Century
- Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

"Two Questions That Can Change Your Life" From Daniel Pink

Two questions that can change your life from Daniel Pink on Vimeo.

Animoto MindMap Using Mindmeister

Mindmeister

Very cool Web 2.0 mindmapping tool!

A Tour of MindMeister from MindMeister on Vimeo.

Ian Jukes - Understanding the Digital Generation DVD

Checklist for Preventing Innovation

My Anti-Creativity Checklist from Youngme Moon on Vimeo.

Here's the list as text.
From the Video

1. Play it Safe.
2. Know your limitations.
3. Remind yourself it’s just a job.
4. Show you’re the smartest person in the room.
5. Be the tough guy.
6. Respect history.
7. Stop the madness before it can start. Crush early-stage ideas with your business savvy.
8. Use experience as a weapon.
9. Keep your eyes closed. Your mind too.
10. Assume there is no problem.
11. Underestimate your customers.
12. Be a mentor. Give sound advice to the people who work for you. (not sure I get this one)
13. Be suspicious of creatives /liberal arts majors /poets /anthropologists /wackos in your organization
14. When all else fails, act like a grown up.

Extra additions:

15. Never admit you are wrong

16. Be an island unto yourself, don’t ask for help.

A Is for App: How Smartphones, Handheld Computers Sparked an Educational Revolution

Interesting article!

A Is for App: How Smartphones, Handheld Computers Sparked an
Educational Revolution - http://www.fastcompany.com/node/1579376/print

Couldn't Resist

When Facebook Is A Problem!

Elmer Fudd and his Twitter Twibe!!

Twitter Blog Post March 29, 2010 - Elmer Fudd and his Twitter Twibe!!

Reflections on the process of learning about the tool (3 points)

Well, I never had a Twitter account before this class and I have to admit, it is one of the best Web 2.0 tools I have ever used.

As with all of the tools we’ve learned about in this class, there wasn’t a huge learning curve for Twitter due to the fact that Joanne hooked us up with a bunch of great people out there in the Twitterverse and now (and I just can’t wait to use this one) they are all part of my Twibe!! Yes, I said Twibe (thanks to Sonja Cole for this one)! If you follow me or I follow you, we are all part of the same Twibe! Maybe we can even vote each other off each other’s Twitter islands!! Would that be a Twisland or an Iwand for Elmer??

This is my Twibe!

While I was getting to learn and know Twitter, three really good finds (thanks to friends) came across my radar. These finds were Tweetdeck, TwitterGadget and Twitterific. These are three tools that have helped me stay on top of the sheer volume of tweets that occur each day in the very small Twibe of Twits I follow.

TweetDeck is an application that allows you to view and respond to Tweets as they come in. As long as the program is running, every time a Tweet comes in, its content appears in a tiny dialogue box in the corner of your screen. This is a lot like the dialogue boxes that appears in the Outlook and Entourage email clients. So, you can be working along (at work even) and when a Tweet from your Twibe is posted, it appears on your computer screen. So, you’re always up to date.

TwitterGadget is an iGoogle tool that is part of the widgets that appear on my iGoogle homepage whenever I launch my browser. It keeps a running list of Tweets as they come in (with a tweeting sound) and I can respond and view the Tweet contents if it appears interesting to me. What’s nice about this gadget is that I am already in my browser, so if I want to follow a link, I am good to go.

Twitterrific is an app that I use on my iPhone and allows me to view and respond to Tweets like the other two apps do, but what makes this app the most useful of all three is the ability for me to view Tweets anywhere and anytime. So for instance, when I am waiting for my wife to get out of the walk-in clinic, I can quickly scan my Twitterrific tweets to see what’s up with my Twibe and respond or just lurk in the background. This app is available for free, but it’s so useful I paid the atrocious $4.99 for it.

All of these tools were very easy to figure out and I had them mastered long before I figured out what “RT” meant! This of course leads me to my next bit of learning around the lexicon for Twitter. I guess just like entering any new land, one has to learn a bit of the language to be able to survive. So knowing that “RT” means retweet, @bradmcdiarmid represents a person’s address, # (a hash tag) is for organizing and group management, and “DM” stands for direct message became really important and helpful.

Discussion of the tool in terms of your personal learning (e.g. me as a learner, me as a parent, me as part of a social group) (3 points)

I think much of my personal learning is mentioned in the section above this one. But, the one thing I didn’t mention was how many things I’ve learned and become aware of because of my Twibe. Joanne got the ball rolling with several names, but what is really amazing is how you become connected to so many other people because you follow and tweet with a few folks. The power of Web 2.0 and collaboration came to the forefront for me with Twitter. Even though I am using all the other tools and them some, Twitter has been the one that has been most prolific in my personal learning. Much of what I post to my blogs, Facebook and my tweets comes from what I discover through my Twibe in Twitter.

Me as a parent. Hmm, this one is usually difficult as my kids are old enough to know better and still too young to care (thanks to Wade Hayes for this lyric). My kids don’t use Twitter at all. Heck, they barely use Facebook! Don’t ask my why my oldest (20) doesn’t use FB, I can’t share publicly what she says about people who use Facebook. My youngest daughter does use FB, but it is sporadic. Sometimes she’s on it every day and then she doesn’t use it for a long time. I think it boils down to how much she’s got going on in her offline life. She uses FB when she’s bored.

The one thing I do caution my kids and all kids when using Twitter, Facebook or any SMS is to be wary of who you’re calling a friend. In an article called An Admission I just read in Tech and Learning, the author states that, “…social networks are changing the ethics and definition of the word friend” (Tech and Learning, 2010). So we as educators and parents need to talk to our kids about what a friend is and what an acquaintance is and what every one else is. This is part of being a parent and part of what it means to be a teacher in the information age. It is simply part of our new responsibility.

Me as part of a social group (a Twibe). Twitter has really affirmed the power of the collaborative mind. Like the article Nine Reasons To Twitter in Schools in Tech and Learning states, “Together we’re better. Twitter can be like a virtual staffroom where teachers can access in seconds a stream of links, ideas, opinions, and resources from a hand-picked selection of global professionals” (Tech and Learning, 2010). This is really where Twitter has been my greatest asset and can be anyone’s if they choose to explore Twitter.

Discussion of the tool in terms of your professional learning (e.g. me as a teacher, me as a school leader, me as a teacher-librarian, me as a member of professional learning communities/networks). This takes into account technology integration, use in schools, pros and cons, etc. (3 points)

Me as a professional! Right off the bat, I’d have to say that Twitter and all these Web 2.0 tools have really given me heaps of information to share with my colleagues. I often send information that I think is important to the President of RDC. I never did that before this course. Twitter gives me access to this information and so much more. I am in touch and going to collaborate with a teacher using iPods in his class because the DM’d me in Twitter.

I now have one of my colleagues using Wikis for his meetings. He saw what I was doing and I gave him an article called, “A Cure For Meetings” and he is now using a Wiki to complete a curriculum matrix he’s been struggling with because he can’t ever get everyone in the same room and email is just too cumbersome. He sees a Wiki as the solution and I agree!

Me as a teacher. Well, I haven’t really done a lot with Twitter in my class and in my defence, I do use Facebook, blogs and most of the other tools we’ve learned about. I have shared lots of information and interesting sites that I’ve gleaned from Twitter that I think are pertinent in my class.

Like any other technology that allows students out on the web, Twitter has its share of pros and cons. One of the pros is the collaboration, the ability to learn anywhere, anytime, with anyone and best of all without teacher permission! Laura Devaney (2010) from eSchool News states that students are learning if new ways and without teachers. “Those activities include using Facebook to collaborate with, share information with, and tutor other students; taking online assessments and tests; using cell phones and applications for self-organization and productivity; using podcasts and videos to improve in challenging subject areas; taking online courses to learn more about interesting subjects, and not necessarily for a grade; and finding experts to connect with online and share new ideas and content”. Kinda sounds like our course!! This of course is the entire purpose of all these collaborative tools.

Cons of course are safety and students wasting time. I think both of these can be countered with proper education of students and constant supervision by the teacher coupled with meaningful and interesting activities and projects for students to do. The biggest con to me though is the lack of trust and gumption by teachers. There is a plethora of articles out in the cloud that state that students are already using Web 2.0 and all its tools, but administrators and teachers are afraid. Devaney’s (2010) article states that over 40% of students say, “they know how to be safe and protect themselves online”. So, let’s educate the other 60%. Isn’t that what the Communicating and Foundational parts of Alberta Educations ICT curriculum is for? I think that one way to educate students is to show students the do’s and don’ts and let them have a bit of leash to explore, try things and ask questions. Isn’t that how we learned all this Web 2.0 stuff?

Evidence of Research and Further Reading (3 points)

Cole, S. (2010). 25 Ways to teach with Twitter. Retrieved from http://www.techlearning.com/article/20896

Devaney, L. (2010). Digital access, collaboration a must for students. Retrieved from http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/03/16/digital-access-collaboration-a-must-for-students/

Kolowich, S. (2010). A cure for meetings. Retrieved from http://www.insidehighered.com/layout/set/print/news/2010/03/15/wikis

Sawtell, E. & King, K. (2010). Class in 140 characters or less? Retrieved from http://www.ecampusnews.com/2010/03/23/class-in-140-characters-or-less/

Tech and Learning. (2010). An admission. Retrieved from http://www.techlearning.com/article/21290

Tech and Learning. (2010). Nine reasons to Twitter in schools. Retrieved from http://www.techlearning.com/article/17340

Twibes. (2010). Retrieved 03.20.10 from http://www.twibes.com/

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