Week 7- Web 2.0 tools

As educators, the use of Web 2.0 tools is transforming our work, and more specifically the way we support students in the classroom. We bring more technology into classrooms, and put more technology in their students’ hands. So we should make sure teachers and students are prepared for the constant and quick technology evolution we are currently going through at the present time. I believe the State and National Standards are going to increase and update their requirements of technology each year. For my first lesson of the school year, I chose Glogster. Just a reminder, Glogster is basically an online poster web page.  Students can combine text, pictures, graphics, video, and audio to create an interactive online poster. I had my students create a poster of the things they did this summer, but it wasn’t that easy.

First, on Thursday, I presented Glogster to my class, and showed them examples of how the website works. We then all tried to create an account. My students are range in cognitive capabilities, so creating accounts wasn’t that simple. However, everyone got an account up and going. The next class, I gave the students a hard copy of instructions to guide them through the process. Some read and used the instructions well, others didn’t. After the second day, I had 2 students finished. The next day will be tomorrow, however, I wasn’t planning to spend 4 days on this exercise. I wanted to spend 3 at the most, but I need to make sure all the students have an opportunity to finish. My plan was to view and talk about all the students’ summers in when they finish.

There are many things I would change in this lesson. First, I would give the students a whole class period, just to play and get used to the website. Second, I think I would make a minimum number of media allowed on the Glogs. Many students had a picture and one word and then they said they were done. Next, I would make sure I was friends with all my students on Facebook. I could have my Facebook account projected on the board. The reason, many students got on Facebook, by being their friend, I could monitor many movements on their Facebook pages. So, if the make a comment, if would ding on my board and I would know who is working or not.

Things that went well included student interest and the level of the task. The students wanted to work and use the computer to do the assignment. Also, the level of work fit all the cognitive capabilities of my students. There was no wrong answer when the students had to explain them to class.

I thought it was a good first run, but practice makes perfect. I’ll try it again in the future, with alterations. Have a good week.