Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts

With so many technological advances in today’s world, educators are provided with so many options.  But that’s just it…all of the options.  Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts.  Where does one even begin?  How about beginning somewhere simple?  Somewhere that provides a level of ease and comfort.  But that’s just the half of it.  How about the legalities?  Richardson brings up many good points in the first two chapters of his book, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms.  With safety concerns, both students and teachers must be aware of what is being shared.  Richardson states that research has showed that blogs can promote critical thinking in students (20).  Through the use of blogging, students can post assignments, journals, links, etc.  Although I have not seen these types of technologies utilized in the lower grades, I'm wondering how common they might be for teachers and students in secondary education.  

Why Technology?

With the recent implementation of the Common Core StateStandards in schools across the country, technology is making a greater impact than ever before.  With school-wide changes, students are being provided with resources beyond what was once available to them.  New literacies allow students to learn by gathering information that extends outside of the classroom walls, allowing teachers to foster student’s academic achievement. 

With the use of technology, students can access an abundance of learning tools and activities.  Dreambox, an online math program, provides students with support individualized to student needs.  The National Library of VirtualManiuplatives allows both teachers and students the opportunity to solve problems with more than just a pencil and paper.  Moreover, BrainPop provides a wide variety of educational movies to promote student learning. 

As the role of technology expands within the school setting, it is no longer expected that students are simply able to use technology.  Rather, students must obtain the necessary skills in order to analyze, learn, and explore through the technological age that this world is quickly moving towards.  As with any new learning adventure, NETS forStudents are the set of standards provided to educators by means of measuring student progress in an ever changing digital world.  

When teachers are prepared to provide their students with meaningful learning opportunities, there is a greater chance that students will appropriately analyze, learn, and explore many great possibilities.  NETS for Teachers are the set of standards used to evaluate how well teachers are able to integrate the set of skills and knowledge related to technology into their current teaching style.

But, where does training for veteran teachers come into play?  In many schools today, the Common Core State Standards have caused many teachers to lash out about the many changes taking place.  Throw technology into the mix?  For many, that’s just unheard of.  When do district officials decide how all of the teachers employed in a district will effectively incorporate the use of technology into their classrooms in this ever changing digital world?      

So Happy!

Fortunately for me, after a long weekend of hard work and preparation, I was offered a long-term second grade substitute teacher position.  BEYOND excited right now!