I am convinced that the above title is an ad slogan (or former one) for some company that I can't think of. My web searches have turned up nothing so it looks like I may be off track. If anyone knows if it is actually a slogan, or the correct phrase, please let me know!
I was thinking of the slogan while reading the first two chapters of our assigned text where the author lays out his ideas on the "read/write" nature of the web and how that functionality is now accessible to just about any user. It made me think about how in response to an age of automation and virtualization a strong do-it-yourself culture has developed. Whether we are talking about the web and blogs or YouTube or even MAKE magazine. MAKE is an amazing resource that really captures the DIY spirit.
Yet our book’s author makes the case for the power and potential of user created content by challenging educators to experience it themselves first. Not just by digitizing traditional classroom assignments but by stretching their own learning and in the process modeling for their students. Other than my classmates (and professors) blogs the majority of blogs I have been looking at I’ve found through #edchat on Twitter. My favorite so far is Will Richarson's . Check it out if you get a chance.
Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms. (3rd ed.). Corwin Press.
I personally do not have a Twitter account and before reading Richardson's book I never thought of using it in the educational field. I agree with you about the case he makes for the power and potential it has. I plan to get an account.
ReplyDeleteEven though I have an account I thought Twitter would be the last thing I would think about using in a classroom setting. But for some reason (maybe because it is so concise) I am excited about the possibility of it and am looking forward to seeing what the Richardson text has to say about it.
DeleteI have never really thought too deeply about the role that social media (be it blogs, wikis, or Twitter) can play in the classroom. My friend took a technology class during which they would Tweet, during class, about things that interested them, or thoughts/ideas that she/her classmates had. She said that the course was life-changing because it brought a fresh, new perspective to teaching/learning. They felt more deeply connected, as well as enthusiastic.
ReplyDeleteI checked out Will Richardson's page (as per your suggestion, Eric!), and it is very interesting!
ReplyDeleteOkay, let me know when the class is ready to plunge into Twitter, because I am ready and excited, and do believe teachers should be using Twitter as a professional development tool and to glean ideas for their teaching. However, I also find that some find it hard to get their head around Twitter. I would love to make the use of Twitter a course requirement, but we already have so much going in 584, I wonder about introducing a new tool. Of all the tech tools I use, I would have to say Twitter is in my top 10, maybe even my top 3. So, Eric, discuss with your peers, and let me know when we should get going.
ReplyDeleteSeveral people in the class are curious about Twitter. During class this week, let me know if you think I should devote time to it. If so, send me an email.
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