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Review of Four Educational Web 2.0 Tools

Here is my video review of Noodle Tools, Dictionary.com, Podomatic, and Museum Box.

 

How do we go from student consumers to student producers?

As teachers, to move students from consumers to students as producers, we need to move away from delivering information that nothing is done with.  Note taking from lectures, outlining a textbook chapter, or labeling states on a map do nothing to create a student producer.  Teachers must use methods to create a higher order of thinking so that students can interact, question, and design.  Knowledge alone does not produce...understanding does.  Social networks would be a great tool to create this motivation to interact and share this knowledge and understanding. If educators can instill the need to know and understand, then we will have created lifelong learners!

Pros and Cons of Flipped Teaching

     Flipped teaching in my social studies classroom would probably consist of short, historical videos or documentaries the students can watch out of class.  Class time would be spent talking about how what they watched is relevant to the lesson and if it is applicable to today.  Some other in-class activities may include role playing or skits, creating a visual aid or presentation, bloggingl, or some kind of research.  All of these, which relate to the homework, could be done independently or as a group.
     I am on the fence about learning being enhanced for all students.  All students have the potential to learn.  The challenge is to know each student well enough to determine how they learn best.  I don't see how flipped teaching could hinder learning since most of the "meat" of the class is happening while the teacher is present and engaged.  Some students, however, may do better on their own, at home, therefore, not do well in class or as a group.  If the teacher is aware and monitors students progress, or lack thereof, and can make necessary adjustments, then enhanced learning is a possibility.
     With access to other countries and cultures only a click away, a global learning environment can most definitely be created.  Regardless of the subject or lesson, students can watch lessons in math, talk to each other about their countries history, share literature and art, and exchange recipes. 
     Overall, I think the pros of flipped teaching outweigh the cons as long as the teacher is flexible and tuned in to what is and isn't working well.

Discussion Question 3

     Student blogging can create a global classroom because we no longer have to read about other ways of life in a textbook.  We can be a part of another culture in real time and gain a better understanding of another way of life through blogs.  Regardless of cultural differences, through blogging, students can develop their global communications skills.
     Skype, YouTube, and Friendster might also create the same type of culture by giving a student immediate access to students all over the world.

Discussion Quesion 2

     Student knowledge of an authentic or real audience, to me, refers to knowing that the readers are their peers or classmates.  This statement assumes that because they know the readers are like themselves, that they will apply more effort than if the teacher is the only reader.  I can see this being true and false.  Students who have things in common, or have a connection, will probably feel more free to express ideas and try new things.  I could see a student not being afraid of being wrong or incorrect if the reader is not just the teacher.  However, they may be more fearful of criticism or rejection too, espcially a student who is struggling to fit in elsewhere in school or activities. 

Discussion Question 1

Some risks to having a student blog publicly are that some students may not feel comfortable knowing that everyone has access to their work.  They may be less motivated to “share” a document when they might have had more success writing something for the teacher’s eyes only.

Constructive criticism used correctly can be very helpful, but if there aren’t guidelines on how to critique or evaluate someone’s work, the results could be devastating to a student.