Here’s Judy W.’s review of Gwen Solomon’s and Lynne Schrum’s, Web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools International Society for Technology in Education:
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Wow! It does sound like this book is pretty comprehensive. I think it would be a great read to get some knowledge on the most up-to-date tools. I was actually looking at my library for a book on this last week, but totally failed. It is good to know that one does exist and I may have to check it out!
I like what you say (or reiterate) about the “consumption generation.” I, too, think that students/teens really like the new technology today because they can personalize it and use it how they want.
When you were talking about software that can individualize the education of a student, it made me think of the language software my department uses at work. There are these lab sessions where students can come in and practice the vocabulary and lesson discussed in class. As they answer questions and do games/exercises, it records what errors they are making and tailors the material to those errors. Pretty cool.
Thanks for sharing your book!
The consumption generation part stood out to me too. I know exactly what type of student she was talking about
It does seem like this book covers a lot of ground! I wonder why a lot of these books try to cover so much breadth as opposed to going into lots of detail on using one particular Web 2.0 application in the classroom…?
Great job with your presentation! I feel like I have a really good idea of what this book is like now.
Good point Andrea. That’s actually something I’ve heard a lot of teachers mention. They want to know how to go about using something like Wikipedia in the classroom and they want that information is one place. Maybe there’s a market niche just waiting to be filled!
The book sounds really interesting Judy and it’s nice to know you would buy it for your staff if you were a principal at a school. I liked the fact that you played with the technology and sounds and slides at the beginning. It’s nice that your book gave lesson plan ideas to use in the classroom and also ideas for professional development through communities with mentors. We had a technology specialist on campus at all times in Vegas and he or she would come from classroom to classroom when paged and needed. Granted in a 2500+ student school that person was always overwhelmed, but it was really helpful.
wow…Angie, why did you ever leave that environment? I can tell you that I fiddled with the wiki bib entries for hours on my own, and finally found a teacher at my school who knew what to do–it took her all of 3 to 5 minutes to show me. If we could be guaranteed that kind of help at all times, what a difference it would make.
Thanks for the compliment. I was having a really difficult trying to sequeway from the movie maker to me talking and I know it was abrupt, but oh well, I did it!
I think that we as a country are so behind other countires in teaching technology in the classroom. We place too much value on just book learning (i am not against it I am an English teacher after all) but we dont embrase technology in the classroom as much as we need, and must! I think this sounds like a good book to read. Professional development is a good thing only if there is follow up in the classroom and support for teachers so having a book that all read is a great alternative to someone coming in for a few hours and not doing anything beyond that.
I am with you Cristin. You are so right when you say our courntry places book learning above other types of learning, especially when there are proven facts that not all students learn with books. Our educational system is so far behind because of that belief.
Judy you did a nice job explaining the book and making it sound like I need to read it. I like the fact that you said the consumption generation coming up makes it their own. That ties in with my book, making music lists and book lists on iTunes and Amazon to fit you instead of an authority telling you what is good to buy or read.
Good Job Judy.
My favorite assignment for my 10th graders is a really cool one and it sounds like it connects with your book a bit. It is called the Soundtrack of my Life, and the kids have to pick 6 songs that exemplify various eras of their lives. They really connect when they connect music and writing. I love to read these (despite my distaste for grading essay upon essay) and some of the kids come back and tell me years later that they keep their soundtracks and add to them as important things come up in their lives. I can’t wait to hear your book review! Sounds good!
Really interesting, Judy. It sounds like a must-read for educators if they want to stay current. I think your presentation of it was eloquent and well thought-out. And, being a jazzophile… nice choice of intro music. Good job!
Great job Judy! You break it down nicely!!
Ditto! Very well done, Judy! I can definitely see how Web 2.0 tools and people’s ability to self-publish on the web could be seen as “disruptive” and upsetting to the status quo/traditional power dynamics in schools (society!). I 100% agree that students need to “learn how to process and use information wisely” and that teachers must be well-trained in order to teach these skills. Maintaining a local professional community of teachers is very important for many reasons, and sharing ideas about incorporating technologies into coursework and technology mentoring seems integral to this community. It’s also a good point that Web 2.0 tools are super-affordable, if not free, so schools can’t hide behind the budget excuse anymore. I’m so glad the authors include a lot of practical advice and materials for teachers — something the author of my book definitely didn’t do. Again, very well done, especially with all the screen-shots and your perfect one-take monologue!
Sorry this is so very late! One thing after another!
Really good points. I was struck by the way that students customize the computers in labs because this is one of those things I know that people who administer labs always have to deal with and because it brings me back to “the day” when I was teaching in computer labs almost 20 years ago and students would do crazy stuff with fonts and lay-outs for their word processed essays. Why? Because they could!
And I like the stuff about teacher development quite a bit– though what they are suggesting with “learning communities” is not that easy to sustain either, IMO.
BTW, linux is basically “open source” (e.g., “free”) operating systems and software, and while it can get a little technical (I don’t know too much about it myself), it’s also the sort of thing really useful to think about in public schools as a way to address costs.