Web 2.0

One way to inspire students is to use Web 2.0 tools in our classroom. Web 2.0 is commonly associated with web applications that facilitate interactive information sharing, user-centered design, and collaboration on the World Wide Web.  Web 2.0 can be very beneficial for faciliating classroom learning.  For example, some examples of using Web 2.0 could be twitter, wikis, and blogs. What are some other examples of Web 2.0 that you web 2.0 can help with student learning in the classroom?


View this video on Web 2.0 in the classroom.... 

 

Importance of Communication

I think communication is one of the keys to success for a successful parent-teacher-student relationship at any school.  Research has shown that children perform better at school when their parents remain actively involved with their education. When a teacher has an open and positive relationship with parents, it makes it easier for parents to monitor their children's achievement.  At the same time, parents can inform teachers of changes within their children's lives as well. In today's day and age, everyone is pulled into so many different directions that parent teacher conferences have become difficult to schedule. 

Establishing clear communication about what is expected, what is being learned, and ongoing events at school can be challenging. For these reasons, blogs are one of the best ways to communicate with parents and students on an ongoing and daily basis.  Teachers could keep parents and students updated on important events, homework, and other assignments. Parents can even respond to teacher's blogs.  Teachers can even post daily questions to students and the students can blog about topics or assignments.  This would be a great way to use technology to enhance student learning.  What if a student walked into their house after school, and their parent began to discuss a topic that was learned in school?


More resources about parent/teacher communication...

http://www.suite101.com/content/parentteacher-communication-a56647#ixzz1IHIr9YRb

http://urbanext.illinois.edu/succeed/communication.cfm

http://www.teach-nology.com/ideas/parent_communication/

Technology in the Classroom

I feel strongly about integrating technology into the daily curriculum to help students prepare for the future. In fact, one of my objectives is to integrate and facilitate a 21st Century Education and learning environment that utilizes communication, collaboration, creativity, and communication within the classroom. According to Eric Thompson, 21st century learning refers to “the skills, technologies and insights that leading-edge educators, companies and organizations are using to create learning systems that are better suited to the emerging challenges of the 21st century.” (http://www.ehow.com/about_5098161_st-century-learning.html)

Read more about 21st Century Education...

http://www.21stcenturyschools.com/What_is_21st_Century_Education.htm

 I believe students who thrive for finding answers and solutions to problems themselves are better able to handle obstacles and challenges in the future.  Our job as educators is to prepare students for jobs that have not been invented yet.  In order to accomplish this goal, we must begin to utilize technology in a way that can inspire students to become more creative and work better collaboratively.  What are some creative ways that students use technology to become inspired or more creative?