Getting More From Web2.0

As I am reading the book, Teaching For Understanding With Technology, I found this quote that distinguishes what technology does versus what it can do. Wiske and Franz state, "A further complication in defining educational goals is that pressure to implement new technologies may obscure the importance of using these tools to teach and learn important subject matter. Teachers may believe that simply engaging students with modern tools is worthwhile (to increase student motivation, develop students' technical expertise and twenty-first-century skills, or demonstrate up-to-date classroom practices), even if the technology is not helping students learn core curriculum topics. Teachers may incorporate technology into lessons in ways that provide some catchy entertainment with little or no contribution to learning." I know that I have fallen into this trap. I use technology because I like it or think it is exciting, but I don't really focus on big learning objectives and ensure that the use of technology leads to greater levels of learning.

The authors continue to explain what the goals of technology use should be. They state, "New technologies are most beneficial, however, when they support and deepen students' understanding of important educational subject matter. In order to apply technology this way, teachers often need to reflect on their goals and become more explicit about exactly what they hope students will learn. Educational objectives, whether they deal with academic or technology issues, may reflect a teacher's deeper purposes, core values, and ultimate hopes for the students." For the upcoming year, I will give greater planning time to understanding the learning goals for which I am aiming, and then choose technology that fulfills that role.

When trying new technologies, I think it is important to just get your hands dirty and learn the capabilities of what the tools can do. However, after that initial stage, the teacher must begin to target specific technologies to help students learn key concepts in a deeper and more meaningful way.

On my wiki, I am creating a list of technology tools with tutorials to help students create content. I am also developing rubrics for each tool so that I can give students quick feedback on their performance. The rubrics contain a component for demonstrating knowledge of the core subject matter being discussed in class. I am not sure if this is the complete solution, but it does help me to focus on the learning objectives and to tie the most appropriate web2.0 tool(s) to each learning objective.

Please comment if you can think of ways that I can improve the wiki or the focus of applying technology to content mastery.

Being More Analytical With Technology

In the past, I have utilized technology in the classroom simply because I love it and because the students are engaged while using it. I need to make more of an effort to be systematic in my thinking and really plan how to implement technology and what are my goals.

In the book, Teaching For Understanding Technology With Martha Stone Wiske offers a method that I am planning to adopt for integrating technology into my curriculum this year. She states:

Educators might being by asking, "What do our students always struggle with that is really essential for their success?" That my reveal some targets of difficulty that could be alleviated by incorporating new technologies into lessons. Another strategy is to ask, "What are students fascinated by that might suggest a way into some of the material they need to learn?" Teachers might also formulate generative topics by reflecting on their own interests and expertise, knowing that their capacity and motivation to design inventive lessons will be enhanced by their own passionate engagement. The teachers' own hobbies or areas of deep knowledge may indicate a generative approach to an important curriculum topic.

These are the three questions I will be asking before implementing technology this year:

1. What is the most important curriculum for each unit of study?
   
2. What do my students struggle to learn?
3. Which technology engages the students in the curriculum to the best extent?

These will be the questions that drive my integration of technology this year.

I want to complete a daily summary of the top three web links that I find on Twitter. Today's top 3:

1. Top 50 ipad apps - http://bit.ly/dsvIno - Gives some great ideas for apps to download. I need to conduct a PD on this for Cleveland, and I need to offer it as a session at the CLHS conference.
2. 10 Ways to declutter your digital life - http://bit.ly/9rsCq3 - Great ideas for making life easier and neater.