Yesterday was interesting to say the least. The fifth grade students dove deeper into understanding what Web 2.0 tools are and how they can be used. Thanks to TechDirt:School Boards Notice Internet Isn’t Dangerous, Schoolboards: net dangers over-rated; bring social networks to school, Kids in Danger No More, The Dark Side of Web 2.0 and Kids, Survey: Parents Talk to Their Kids About the Web, Technology for Tots to Teens, Back to School with the Class of Web 2.0 part 1, and Back to School with the Class of Web 2.0 part 2, the students were able to create a class list of the benefits of bringing Web 2.0 into our classrooms and the possible drawbacks.
I was surprised by the class discussion that occurred after they read these posts. Many, MANY questions:
“So if I started a blog, a stranger could still contact me through my comments. Isn’t that dangerous?”
“If I’m posting stuff on a wiki to share it, what if a stranger changes my stuff and pretends to be a kid that I know?”
“If a teacher starts a blog for her students, how will she have time to watch all of the comments to make sure they are appropriate?”
I knew it was time for nuts and bolts. I pulled up this blog. (They actually applauded me!) I showed them my first comment and how/why I had accepted it. I remembered a post from Dangerously Irrelevant that linked to a wiki called Moving Foward which had a list of elementary classroom blogs. (great resource!) I was able to show them examples of other students’ posts and the comments that had been left for them. Suddenly, I wasn’t the only excited one in the room! Unfortunately, I only see each of the three 5th grade classes once a week, so the project will continue Monday…
Later yesterday, I learned about the Students and Electronic Media: Teaching in the Technological Age seminar at Princeton University through Kevin Jarrett’s Welcome to NCS-Tech! I’ll be speaking to my principal about a professional day. The agenda looks so exciting!
To end on a funny note: a third grader was leaving the lab yesterday and asked, “Hey Ms. Tvarok, have you ever heard of Web 2.0?” Smiling, I said, “Yes, your brother’s class is doing some research on Web 2.0. Has he talked to you about it?” His response practically exploded out of his mouth, “Well yeah, and we saw on a Web 2.0 video that the Machine owns us and we have to teach the Machine so they know more about us and Web 2.0 will last 2 more years before it crashes…gotta go, bye!” And he ran down the hall.
I guess “rumors” are bound to spread. I’m just happy that the word’s out on the street!
