Post #6

As far as web 2.0 technologies go, I think they are useful in certain areas of schooling. I plan to teach elementary school and I do not see much use of blogs or wiki spaces for the younger children. In high school I see the most possibility for usage. High School students can compile on work projects together through wiki spaces, able to edit, message and see each others work offering comments on what to adjust through the wiki space itself. The wiki space would also be helpful to identify students who really deserve the grade, showing each persons contributions. Like I said, I do not plan on using web 2.0 technologies such as wiki space, because I just do not think it is very age appropriate for elementary school. The only thing I might take advantage of is the blogs, as far as blogging and communicating with other teachers and being able to share ideas.


Throughout school, when Wikipedia became popular all of my teachers cautioned against it. Our teachers basically made us use other sources besides Wikipedia, and clearly stated against using Wikipedia at all. Some teachers said we could look at Wikipedia for ideas, but never were we allowed to use it as a source. Basically I know that Wikipedia has some useful information but it also has its fair share of bogus information that could mislead students. As an elementary school teacher I do not plan on having to deal with any issues of Wikipedia because there will be no use of it that early. Overall I agree with my teachers, it is not a good learning source and I will stray my students away from it if necessary.

The past week we learned about the programs of wiki space. This would be more helpful for me if I taught the higher grades. I cannot say I plan on making use of this for my students, because I would prefer to leave the computer almost completely out of my lesson plan and focus on basics and hands on material for the kids at that young and impressionable age. They will deal with computers enough as they get older so I would prefer not to make use of any of the web 2.0 technologies. I will probably make use of blogging, if not with my students, using it as a tool to communicate with other teachers. The blogs will be beneficial to collaborate and work with other teachers. This class keeps opening my eyes as to all tricks of many of the things I have encountered with technology.