Web 2.0 tools are terrific tools to use with students, but students need to be good net citizens before using these in the classroom. I believe that being safe online is a MUST and parents need to be aware of the uses and abuses online. Teaching your child appropriate behavior online is important and just like in anything else, this should not be the schools sole responsibility. The district or school should offer parents online safety workshops in collaboration with the ITRT and technology committee in the school.

Teachers must also be informed and knowledgeable users before students dive into the world wide web. Resources and tools need to be relevant to the objectives and teachers should be able to navigate through them so they can model proper behavior online. With the web constantly changing, it’s important to talk to children about how they use the Internet and “what if” scenarios, so they know how to properly handle them.

I particularly like this webquest designed for 6th graders. It is very creative and breaks down netiquette and specific roles of student users. Kids learn how to be safe online in a collaborative way!

http://coe.nevada.edu/slefevre/playsafe.html

Terrific Internet Safety websites:

http://www.connectsafely.org

http://csriu.org

http://www.staysafeonline.org

http://www.netsmartzkids.org

I’ve used Streaming video with my students before and the kids love it! However, I’ve know about podcasting but haven’t taken the plunge quite yet. I’ve found some terrific podcasting websites that I love! I’d like to create some sort of podcast with my students but this can be challenging since I work with a tech challenged staff. I need to find someone that wants to learn, and is willing to hang up the scaredie- cat persona and just try and learn. Who this teacher is…I’m not quite sure but he or she is out there! With this said, I want to learn how to make podcasts and have my students make them because it will bring learning to life for them in a new and different way! I’ll keep you posted on when this all happens, but it will!

Blogs and wikis take learning with technology to a different level. A level where the child has some control to share ideas, reflect on learning, and expand knowledge. In the everyday classroom where curriculum piles high and the teacher has to get through it because of the demand for more testing, where do kids get a voice? Blogs and wikis are one answer where kids can talk to each other about what they are learning and share their ideas. Kids are social creatures, they want to tell you stories constantly but for the sake of time, we need to shelve the discussions for a later time.

The great feature about blogs and wikis today is that there is teacher control to see student posts and accept them before they are seen by the rest of the class. This takes care of inappropriate posts and ideas expressed. This is also the perfect time to introduce netiquette and proper use on the web. Students should also have a clear understanding of behavior online and consequences for improper use.

I don’t think that blogs and wikis are for every teacher. I think that the teacher has to see the value of using technology with students to use this tool effectively and appropriately. Some teachers might wonder when they have time to incorporate this into the daily or weekly routine. I say it takes practice and the willingness to learn because students will highly benefit. For example, my mom team teaches third grade in Victor, NY. She and her co-teacher created a wiki and use it for all sorts of information, homework, news podcasts, pictures and more. She told me that the kids and parents LOVE it and they have become better technology users because of it.

http://harperallenteam.pbwiki.com