Beginning Reflection

Isn't this fun? The assignment, from the online class Web 2.0 Tools for the 21st Century Classroom, is to create a blog and use it for reflections on what is being learned during the course. Right now, we're learning about blogs. Already it was a kick to create a name for the blog, a URL for it, and just start talking (writing...blogging..).

I am taking this class because, as a librarian in a high school, I feel a responsibility to be familiar and comfortable with the future of knowledge, expression and relationship that is Web 2.0. Yes, these tech tools are here to stay and, like it or not, we can no longer expect our students to be engaged and retain relevant information through lectures, notes and powerpoints. There really isn't much of a need to retain statistical information - just know where to find it when it's needed. The fast-paced, abbreviated, ever-changing ways of communication are standard for high school students. Educational institutions will be needing to embrace these methods instead of trying to stifle their use. Even an old lady like me finds it a bit disconcerting to be without her cell phone for too long (What if one of the kids needs me? What if my car breaks down?).

This course is a challenge for me. I have made a couple blogs and wikis as part of my library website, but it's mostly stagnant. And once we're done with the blog/wiki portion of the class, I am totally out of my comfort zone. That's ok - the goal is for that zone to continually move farther down the road from where I am. I hope to gain a familiarity with new tools and bring this knowledge back to my school in relevant ways.

I enjoyed making the introduction poster which was fast and easy. Our book is refreshingly readable ( Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms by Will Richardson) and the "Moodle" classroom environment, though not as intuititive as I had hoped (not using my intuition, anyway), is becoming easier to navigate the more time I spend with it.

So far, so good.