Monday, January 4, 2010
Thing 11
My plan of attack is to retire, but then again I can't because I didn't become a teacher just for the $ or summers off, I wanted to help students the way I hadn't been helped. Now I have to suck it up and totally learn all this digital doo doo so that I can at least be on the same playing field as my students. All of the "things" that I have interacted with in the last 4 days (because of technical difficulities) make me feel so inadequate as a teacher. I hope my students don't feel that way. I guess I'll through the question out to my followers of the "11 things" which one(s) do you feel to be the most benefical to begin on my journey?
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4 comments:
I understand your comment about technology making you feel inadequate as a teacher because I feel the same way. My students are so far ahead of me. I think by taking the course both of us are "testing the waters" of technology and for me it's not been too painful. It's actually been exciting for this old dog to learn some new tricks. Maybe there are parts you have enjoyed? :)
I go back to the 3 "big" ideas behind Web 2.0 that I feel best apply to education: 1. The web as platform-- meaning we no longer need to buy "software", the web provides that now. 2. The "read-write" web, which means we are no longer just consumers, but producers of web content. And finally, 3. Harnessing collective intelligence-- all of us are better than any of us. Or another way I just heard this described (on Twitter) "the smartest person in the room is THE ROOM."
As far as where to begin... I'd recommend you use bloglines to read your favorite blogs, and delicious to keep track of your bookmarks and also to network with others to share and find other websites. And finally, I think you can use SlideShare to find, and share relevant presentations with your students.
These strategies make good use of all 3 of the underlying principles of Web 2.0 I mentioned earlier, and are very practical and a good use of your time.
I have enjoyed the fact that I made it through now I need to keep going. I'll keep up with the blog and dive into navigating delicious and google docs.
For many teachers, not being able to be an "expert" on something is a new experience. But honestly, it's impossible to be an expert on everything any more! We can't possibly keep up on our own. We need the help of our colleagues, friends, and YES even students. As teachers, we have to sometimes relinquish our control over what we can no longer control (if that makes sense).
We can only do what we can do, in the time we have to do it. So I guess what I'm saying is, don't beat yourself up over what you CAN'T do; learn, and SHARE what you can do, and be open to new Web 2.0 experiences.
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