Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Web 2.0 in the classroom
The information in this section describes the idea classroom. The one hour presentation brought up some interesting points on the need for change and ways to go about making those changes. However the same questions came up at the end. How do you get your district to stop blocking the necessary sites and trust that students will take a proactive approach to using blogs. I would like to operate my business class and computer classes in the same fashion as described in the last article but I am somewhat overwhelmed by the amount of collaboration needed and don't know where to start.
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I agree, the presentation had some very interesting points...I like the ideas of collaboration, and creativity! I think the collaboration will come it will just take some time!
ReplyDeleteNot sure if you can get the district to stop blocking sites. Our district uses the following policy. If you find a site you like that is blocked at you have to email the tech department and they will look at it. In most cases they approve the site. There has to be some control. As an AP I have become somewhat of a liaison for a tech department and the high school. I have seen many cases where students have gotten to places they should not be. I have found the tech department to be very helpful. Especially when compared to what we dealt with many years ago.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how many filters schools put in place, the most devious of students will find ways around them. It's the fence around the swimming pool analogy: to prevent kids from drowning you can keep building your fence higher and higher, or you can teach your kids to swim. Until schools put in place a type of Internet drivers license program, where they are taught acceptable and unacceptable uses and the consequences, we will have to live with the system that Otto has described.
ReplyDeleteI would recommend all teachers use their principals and APs as "allies". Describe in detail why you need a particular website and more than likely it can be unblocked. Fortunately for us in Monroe County, our districts aren't that big, like a DPS, that we can't have a face to face meeting with our tech directors.
It is frustrating when we, as teachers are blocked as well. Sometimes it feels like just one more obstacle. I am very interested in collaboration as well. I really hope this year brings more opportunities for this, as well as a shift in thinking that we're all on our own. It takes being open to new ideas and not being afraid to ask questions!
ReplyDeleteI too agree that it is frustrating when sites that we would like our students to use are blocked. I think that it is necessary for teachers to play a role in teaching students how to use site in a responsible but safe way.
ReplyDeleteIt is very frustrating when I am trying to show students information on current events. I know that filters are important and needed, but I do agree with you Mary that we need to have some more trust and freedom to work better at showing students how to manuver in the technology. It is shocking that even some kids in the elementary know more technical stuff than staff members. I think they see technology in the 21 century as their avenue to do things. If they don't figure it out...then they'll be left behind from their peers. However, if we as educators could be the ones teaching them it would be even more beneficial for the children!!
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