How Can I Become Part of this ReadWriteWeb Revolution?
October 22, 2008 at 1:34 pm 3 comments
Wow! I didn’t realize how much I got from this presentation until I started on the reflection process. And could you believe…I was dreading having to go through the PD rubric and develop my narrative. So hats off to the developer(s) of this rubric and to Alice, Bob and Cheryl for a rich and meaningful presentation.
To date I have implemented the use of quite a few web 2.0 tools in my work with elementary students…but VoiceThread isn’t one of them. I have considered using VoiceThread again and again but just never did it. And tomorrow, I will go into school (with an obnoxious amount of enthusiasm) and convince one of our first or second grade teachers to use VoiceThread to capture our students reflections on UN Day which are we are celebrating on Friday. After going through the process of responding to the essential questions, I am a convert. It was quite an experience to listen to the responses of others that viewed the presentation before posting my own. I could see the value like I never have before. If I wasn’t already a big fan of the flip cam, you would have got me there too!
Valuable reading resources were also a highlight for me although I was already familiar with some. After reading the executive summaries, I will definitely take an in-depth look at “Confronting the Challenge of Participatory Culture” by Henry Jenkins and “The Power of Pow! Wham!: Children’s Digital Media & Our Nation’s Future” by Rima Shore. These publications will help develop my knowledge base.
The presenters’ main focus on ‘don’t do it alone’ also hit home. As classroom educators we have always been very isolated. As one of only three technology facilitators at my school I am even more isolated. Technology changes all that. At this point I wouldn’t say I am ‘doing it alone’ but I am very much on the periphery of the participatory ways of the web 2.0 world. I am an avid reader of blogs but have only personal blogs (unless you want to consider this professional). I have created content but I am so hesitant to put it out there. I look at the children I teach…and they don’t even blink before clicking the publish button.
This year I will actively participate in the conference. Perhaps this is the first step I need to take to move from the periphery to the center of it all!
Entry filed under: Web 2.0. Tags: publications, web 2.0 tools.
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Heather | October 25, 2008 at 10:11 am
I really enjoyed reading your blog. You put into words how I have been feeling for the past several months. At last year’s conference I was a neophyte. I had only heard about Web 2.0 in September 2007 then I went on a crash course in learning. I still read everything but am still not sure about participating. I think it is the though that I may not have anything to say that is of any importance to anyone. Again, thanks for your words.
Heather
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jennifermaxpeterson | October 26, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Wow! What you just said was really important to me. It helps to know there are others out there like me. I think the more you put yourself out there, the more comfortable you will become with it. Keep it up!
Jennifer
3.
Cheryl Oakes | October 27, 2008 at 10:19 am
Heather and Jennifer, You probably won’t believe that Bob, Alice and I have only been doing this for about 5 years. We started out just like you, reading blogs, maybe leaving a comment, reading more blogs and “lurking”. Lurking is watching what is happening and making decisions before jumping in. It is OKAY. Another part of the process is that we always look to the purpose. Now sometimes our purpose is to experiment and play with a new tool. Other times our purpose is to look at the tool as one of our students or staff. There is a method to all of this. Most often, we try and promote something that has huge potential for students and will make it easier for staff. I would imagine that you two could collaborate and present next year at K12online conference. Your voices need to be heard. You have the right stuff! Welcome aboard. Please stay in touch.
Cheryl Oakes