Reflecting on the use of Blogs, Wikis, and the Benefits of Technology in the Classroom

What does the 21st century classroom look like? No longer is the teacher the center of information in the classroom. Today's classroom has access to information through the use of the internet and all the tools it brings. Students can find answers by researching using the Web 2.0, and if that doesn't give them everything they're looking for, they can simply post their questions on any blog. They will receive an answer quicker than any teacher could say, "Raise your hands!"

My technology skills as a professional teacher have evolved as of late. In the recent past, I incorporated technology in the form of internet research and the use of the computer as a word processor. Unarguably, the internet is the fastest, most reliable method of researching any topic. Like any form of technology, it is also the most interesting method for any middle school english student, if there is such a thing. Not only am I able to demonstrate the benefits of blogs and wikis as collaborative tools in the classroom, I am in the process of taking a portfolio unit that I've always done and using a classroom blog to teach the lesson differently. This is because technology motivates students, and it gives teachers different methods of instruction. Teachers have always known about the multiple intelligences of students. Now there are multiple methods of instruction through the use of technology.

My knowledge of teaching and the learning process has deepened considerably. Students can no longer get by with just the ability to read and write. Students must also be able to edit their own work and be proficient in the area of publishing. With the Read/Write Web, students have the ability to publish their own writing, therefore teachers must model the ways in which ideas and products can be brought online (Richardson, 2009). The Web also gives students the ability to communicate with others like never before. As a result, collaborative learning is the key in the learning process of the 21st century.

In this 21st century of learning, the classroom must be learner based in order to meet the needs of the students. When students use the Web to conduct research, they are engaging in their ideal way of learning, which means the Web affords the match we need between a medium and how a particular person learns (Brown, 2002). This is the key to teaching in the 21st century. The key is to gear our teaching methods around the student. No longer is the role of the teacher to stand in front of the class and be the holder of all information. The teacher's role in the classroom is to guide the learner through the learning process and be a facilitator.

As a teacher, I have a responsibility to my students to increase my professional knowledge in order to prepare them for the next stage of their lives. Just as the Web provides a collaborative environment for students, it also allows teachers to collaborate with other educators. This is the ideal forum for the exchange of ideas and lessons. Teachers can work with educators from around the globe through the use of blogging and Skyping. Another method of increasing knowledge is always through online journals and articles. Thousands of articles exist on the use of technology, and thousands more are being generated each year. Finally, the use of TeacherTube and similar sites are beneficial to teachers and classes.

Two goals that I have for transforming my classroom are the implementation of a private classroom blog and the addition of a Smartboard. Next year my students will use a classroom blog to assist in the publishing of their individual portfolios. To date, our district does not have a policy regarding the use of blogs or wikis in the classroom. However, our superintendent is very apprehensive and conservative in the use of technology between teachers and students, and our principal is completely against it. For that reason, it is probable that obstacles will be put in place that will make this lesson difficult. In order to deal with this obstacle, I will need to convince the school board of the benefits in online collaboration. By using the 21st century publications and other teachers' examples, I will attempt to convince the school board of the necessities of creating an environment in my classroom which is more closely related to the environment students will face upon graduation. My second goal is the implementation of a Smartboard in my classroom within the next two years. The major obstacle here is the cost. When brought to the attention of my superintendent, he supported the idea but felt he could not get away with buying only one Smartboard. The purchase of ten Smartboards, for example, would be very costly, and our district is currently not in a position to spend money in this area. Again, my hopes will be placed on the school board to see the benefits in this investment.

References
Brown, John Seely. (2002). USDLA Journal. Growing Up Digital: How the web changes work, education, and the ways people learn. Washington, DC: Heldref Publications.

Richardson, W. (2006). Blogs, wiks, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Demographic Profile of a Rural School in Ohio

It's always interesting to find out what the demographic profile is of the school in which one teaches. I am currently taking a technology course in order to complete my masters. During this course we study the many ways to use technology in the classroom in order to relate to our students who are "digital natives." There is a difference between "digital natives" and "digital immigrants." The difference lies in how much the student was exposed to technology as a child.

Upon conducting three individual interviews, I came to the conclusion that most of my students are stuck somewhere between being "digital natives" and "digital immigrants." Many of my students do not have internet access at home, however they do possess the abilities to use their home computer to complete school work. The most obvious discrepancy is between academic and social use of technology. Students will find a way to text friends or instant message them when they won't try to use their home computer to process papers for school.

Please click on the following link for an example of the interview.


http://www.walnuttsd.org/hs/interviewontechnology.wav