Wednesday, April 8, 2009

One week, two blogs...Part duh?

Okay, perhaps twelve hours straight at the computer may have fried my mind a bit, but I am really struggling to answer part two of this week's blogging requirements. I just seems that the notion of explaining how web 2.0 tools and the six student standards go together is like trying to explain why peanutbutter and chocolate go together...some things are just made for each other...

Well, to make my point for me, the NETS were made specifically for the emerging Internet, as the ISTE states that the NETS surfaced in 1998, just as the education world was becoming very aware of the impact that technology would have on the modern, new millennium classroom. So, if the NETS were designed, modified and updated because of Web 2.0 applications, explaining how Web 2.0 tools can help students meet standards created in response to the use of the Internet and the applications utilized by said Internet, seems , well, somehow circular...

Yes, creativity is limited only by the imagination of the teacher and student, yes, communication between classrooms across the world has never been easier, yes, research skills must be taught, yes, thinking skills are absolutely required, yes, responsibility for one's footprint is paramount and yes, all users should have some understanding of how the technology works...what more needs to be said? Is it necessary to list applications and the potential use of each tool? Seems redundant and poor use of the limited resources I have left...


2 comments:

John Ferguson said...

I understand and don't disagree with the point that you make, however, just using web2.0 tools without a correlation to the curricula standards is sloppy teaching. Too many of us teachers delve into technology without the corresponding curriculum outcomes. This is a key issue where some people find the tool driving the outcomes instead of the outcomes deciding the tool.

Not quite sure if I'm making complete sense, but just using a web2.0 app doesn't mean that the coverage of the correct curricular outcomes are being met. Knowing you and how you anchor all you to to the curricular objectives this may seem like an obvious exercise, but too many teachers have used technology randomly just to say they are infusing technology. Web2.0 can easily abused in this same manner.

sojbanks said...

Thanks John,
You are so right, and make perfect sense, as use of web 2.0 apps must be anchored to the curriculum, as you say...and yes, I have asked more than once if the tail is wagging the dog!

Thanks for reminding me to see the forest instead of the trees!