Journal #1 (NETS-T 1-5)

Light, D. (2011). Do web 2.0 right. Learning & Leading With Technology, 38(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-february-march-2011.aspx

Summary:
This article examined the ways in which technology, and more specifically in the article, blogs, can be incorporated into the classroom. The article highlighted three important elements that need to be considered when implementing such technology: instituting daily practice, carefully considering the audience, and teaching and enforcing appropriate behavior. The teachers that were interviewed found more success with blogs/wikis when they weren’t assigned as a once in a while assignment, but rather a continuing process that was utilized more often. Considering the audience of the blogs/wikis is another important element, many students felt uncomfortable having the entire class reading their work, so some teachers used the blog as a private journal that the student could give his thoughts about the class to the teacher. While teachers were more concerned about other adults reading and commenting on the students work, the greater fear of the students was having their peers in the school read their work. Lastly and most importantly was teaching the students appropriate behavior for how they interacted with each other online. It seemed a wise idea was to build up a sense of community in the classroom first, and slowly integrate this community online; that way the students felt more comfortable and had a greater respect for what the online community was for.

Question 1:
How might you stress the importance of proper online etiquette to your students?

I would explain to the students that the same rules that apply in class also apply online. The online community would be an extension of the physical classroom, and that I expect the same behavior in the classroom to be online as well. I would also be careful to fully monitor the online activity and step in if any incidents happen or look as though they may happen.

Question 2:
How could you use this technology in the grade/subject you aim to teach?

I would like to teach high school science, and I think one of the first things I could use it for is for students to create a blog to share their data from whatever projects we might be doing. The scientific method is often used, and students being able to share their results and experiences from a project can help other students who may be having difficulty to find a solution.