Day in the life of Web 2.0 (thing 2 and 3)

Day in Life of web 2.0

I’m fascinated with all the latest, greatest technology. I’m thrilled to see schools using the available tools. As more teachers learn how to use and incorporate this technology into their teaching, successful engaged students will blossom. I believe educators will reach more students and help so many types of learners become more than they ever dreamed they could be because we are teaching them the way they learn best. More of the right brain, creative learners will come alive because they are being allowed to use their creative learning style instead of the typical old school left brain teaching methods.
I’m a little embarrassed at how little I have learned and used. On the other hand, without being told to, I have ventured out and discovered so many of the Web 2.0 tools already. I’m still a rookie, especially considering these tools have been around since 2006 and it’s half way through 2010 now.
I’ve been an educator for 20 years and have seen the greatest technological changes just this past year. My students made a power point of the pictures they took using the digital camera during the last week of school and put together a mini-presentation of their “favorites” sort of telling a story about the grade they were in this year and their memories. How awesome to have a flash drive to go share these memories with anyone, anywhere, anytime. I loved that new www definition: whatever, wherever, whenever.
I have students taking pictures with their cell phones and making you tubes of all sorts of things. Amazing!!
Personally, my nephew made a you tube podcast of my 93 year old grandfather singing “The Eyes of Texas”.
This is the way of future learning and educating. As teachers, we must get on board. So many educators complain about students’ lack of interest and involvement; however, if we get involved with how they learn and use the tools they already use (cell phones, my space, facebook, etc) then I believe we could see a great learning curve for the better.
Now, that doesn’t mean throw away all the good teaching that already takes place (don’t throw away the baby with the bath water). Just incorporate wonderful new tools.