Post #2 - Thoughts about Web 2.0

At the beginning of my teaching career, I often felt very isolated and alone. I didn’t feel that I had other professionals to connect with on a regular basis. I didn’t think I had good ideas. I didn’t feel like I was a good teacher. I didn’t think anyone else in the world felt like I did. I wanted to have other people to talk to, share with, and learn from. I wonder how different I might have felt had this technology existed then. With Web 2.0, there is no need (or excuse) to ever be alone again!  At this time, in February ‘08, because I know so little about Web 2.0, it is hard for me to imagine exactly how I will be able to use this technology with my students. I know I will use it as a way to connect with other professionals. There is so much for me to learn, and I as I do, I will incorporate what I’ve learned with teaching. For example, when a technology person at school helped me with the “Thing One” audio comment, she said that this technology would be a great way for my students to begin “blogging” about their work. Since most of them are emerging writers, audio blogging would be a fantastic way for them to be able to talk about and describe their work. I suspect that the more I learn , the more difficult it will be to ever think the same way about teaching again. Before I signed up for Web 2.0, I didn’t even know what a blog was, and now I am actually blogging! I am so excited! I am so overwhelmed!  I think that all of this information is mind-boggling, and the impact it will have for teaching in the 21st century is limitless. I think it is critical for teachers of all generations, and levels of experience to become technologically savvy to be able to successfully guide and facilitate our students. That being said, I don’t feel that I am in any position to change my teaching right now….or am I? What I will commit to do is to take baby steps…learn something, do something, introduce something to my kids. It can be just one small thing. That small thing will lead to something else…a connection will be made and I will learn something else…and on and on an on. Let the learning begin! My head is spinning!!!

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