October+29

One of the Facebook pages my seniors created...I will show this in class. (Janelle) Google Wave (Randy) - Anyone want an invitation? iPod Touch for Writing (Kevin) Imagine It! Project (Randy) Edutopia Groups (Randy) 21st Century Skills: Another Disappointment (Randy) It's Personal: Learning Spaces, Learning Webs (Randy) [|Barnes and Noble Nook] (Gabby) Webtools4U2use (Shawn)
 * __Sharing__**

__**Evaluating Online Web Tools**__ The // **BIG QUESTIONS** // to answer as we learn about each new technology:
 * 1) What are the "affordances" and "constraints" of the technology? In other words, what does the technology allow us to do or prevent us from doing? The answers to this question might be "messy." This fundamental understanding is important to answer the next questions...
 * 2) What new skills do we need to teach students?
 * 3) What will I need to do differently in terms of how I teach in the classroom? How will teaching and learning look different?
 * 4) How does the technology help me to foster creativity, innovation and some of the other 21st century skills?
 * 5) What are some ways I can use this technology in my classroom?

The web is filled with literally thousands of //web 2.0 tools//. What are //web 2.0 tools//? From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0):

//The term "**Web 2.0**" is commonly associated with web applications which facilitate interactive [|information sharing], [|interoperability], [|user-centered design][|[1]] and [|collaboration] on the [|World Wide Web]. Examples of Web 2.0 include web-based communities, [|hosted services], [|web applications], [|social-networking sites], [|video-sharing sites], [|wikis], [|blogs], [|mashups] and [|folksonomies]. A Web 2.0 site allows its users to interact with other users or to change website [|content], in contrast to non-interactive websites where users are limited to the passive viewing of information that is provided to them.//

As teachers and Internet users, it is valuable to be able to evaluate these tools and determine there usefulness for teaching and learning in schools. You will find many to be useful - with the potential to change the way we teach and learn. Others will be less so. Tonight we will collaboratively vet some of these tools and share them on a Google spreadsheet. At the end of the night, we will have a mini-collection of new tools that you can take into your classroom, if you so choose.

Here is how I'd like us to approach this process:
 * Organize into groups of 2 or 3 - no solo acts, please.
 * Choose a focus for the tools you want to explore - i.e. social networking, concept mapping, communication, etc. (One way to approach choosing a focus is to look through the chapter headings in the Meaningful Learning with Technology text.) The idea is to choose a focus that will be most meaningful to you and the other person/people you choose to work with tonight.
 * Start with these links - GoWeb2.0, A Free Learning Tool for Every Learning Problem, Top 100 Tools for Learning - and locate tools that fit your focus. (You could also just Google something like //web 2.0 +collaboration//, etc.)
 * Spend some time getting to know the tool well - this will take some time. Tinker with it; explore; create - kick the tires.
 * Visit the Google spreadsheet (click on the tab for //Web Tools Evaluation//) and use the column headings as a framework for discussion with your group members. After you feel you have a good grasp on the tool, complete the items on the spreadsheet. I have entered a sample on the spreadsheet.
 * Each group should aim to investigate and post evaluations for **5** web 2.0 tools tonight.
 * If time permits we will share our work. If not, I hope you will visit the spreadsheet at some point during the course to see what valuable resources your class mates have discovered.

While you are working on this activity, I will circulate, having conversations with individuals and groups regarding the final project and [|rubric]. You should be prepared to share your ideas and discuss any questions you may have about the assignment.


 * For Thursday, November 5**


 * Blog:** Create a new reflective blog post __//on a topic of your choice//__. You may wish to further reflect on your work to date, the development of your final project or you may wish to reflect on a new understanding or new discovery. Please complete this by **Monday evening** so we can //all read them before next Thursday's class.// Here is a [|rubric] for blogging. REFLECTION is key. Good writing is important, too. Length is whatever works best for you and the story you want to tell. Please comment using the Diigo highlighting/commenting toolbar or the comments feature of the blogs.


 * Sharing:** Post any interesting articles, videos, findings on the Internet, etc for next week to the November 5 page.


 * Meaningful Learning Text:** Ongoing assignment. Summary, links and probing questions due December 3. Post to your chapter page linked from the Meaningful Learning with Technology wiki page.


 * Class Project:** Using the [|rubric], or one of your own creation, take the result of our conversation this week and work on your final project. Be prepared to share briefly with the class what you are planning and how you are progressing. This will be a good time to seek input from your class mates. //**This should be your main focus in preparation for the November 5 class.**//

** Next Meeting: Thursday, November 5 - 4:00-7:00 PM New Topic: Sharing; Final Project Work Time**