This blog tends to open a space to reflect on the use of Web 2.0, the wide range of possibilities it opens to the field of education and all its advantages and ... disadvantages.
As many of us have already pointed out, using this new means of teaching and learning opens for us as educators a wide range of opportunities to broaden our students' interaction with the real world, but are we aware of the obstacles we are to face in the process?
Think about heads of department, administratives, colleagues, parents, and why not some students. What are the problems you think you would have with them? And moreover think about availability of this new technology in your workplace. Is there availability of computers and Internet at your workplace? Can you use them freely? I would like you to mention all the drawbacks you are likely to face so that we could take one at a time and try to find a solution altogether.
My aim IS NOT to rise a word against, on the contrary, it is to find the way to overcome every single difficulty that may appear in our way. This space is aimed to serve as a springboard for the hard work of finding solutions to the upcoming problems in this new challenge. And I hope you all help me find them.
Patricia
16 comments:
Hi,
You raise some interesting issues... and the "technology divide" (between the "haves" and the "have nots" is an issue that is near and dear to my heart. While I wholeheartedly embrace all this new technology and watch my children come of age in this era, I realize that there are thousands of children in the same city who do not have the same access to computers and technology as do my children and their peers... How different will their futures be?
Gina
http://webgina.edublogs.org/
Welcome to the blogspehere!
I really like the title of your blog.
Now it is all about keep it up and post interesting reflections! ;-)
Dear Pato,
Fantastic start! I just love the fact that you're drawing attention to issues that will certainly come up when you start blogging in the classroom.
We tend to focus on the positive outcomes as we're always so excited about its possibilities. However, there are obstacles in the journey that should be overcome. I've certainly been through some blogging challenges, but everything is manageable with creativity and willingness to succeed.
A point that you raise which is crucial is parents, administration, students. They need to understand the blogging goals, the idea behind it, what a blog is, how it can help in the learning process. Parent authorization to let the kids blog is a good start. Rules for a healthy blogging journey made by your students is another. I'd love to keep discussing with you the many aspects that we should consider when we start blogging in the classroom. There are many aspects to tap into, but if we deal with them, blogging is bond to be a pleasant and enriching experience.
Congrats!
Hello Patricia,
Great blog!! I liked the topic you've put up for discussion. I think that, at least where I live, parents and the school wouldn't be against their children blogging because they already use the computer a lot, and I guess they'd be relieved to see that once in a while it is to learn and discuss important issues. In school here teachers are often encouraged to use the internet more often in order to be closer to their students. They just love it!!!
Well, I'll think more about it and get back to you again.
Please visit me at:
http://teachersbeliefs.blogspot.com/
Regards,
Angela
Hi Patricia! I am really in the issue you put forward and will be following the discussion of each topic. Surely there will be many obstacles at different levels and stages during the implentation of use of thecnology for pedagogical purposes, but the best way to overcome them is to forsee them, just by doing what you propose.
Congrat!,
Vicky
Hi Patito, I think you've done an amazing thing by opening your own blog. I totally congratulate you and you know I'm always at your disposal if you need some helping hand...
Love to have you as my webmate because we are together again, just as we were in Salta.
xx and OO
Lore
hi, thanks for your comment! yeah, it is hard work. and gets a little frustrating when you're juggling with so many insecurities and trying to be innovative at the same time! it doesn't always pan out the way you'd it want to.
cheers and hope to hear from you soon
Dear Patricia: I really liked your blog, you way of using english is great. Perhaps in the future I'll came to leave another coment.
See you later.
VICKYTRICKY
(your daughter)
Come and visit my blog too in www.myspace.com/vickytrickyemo
Hi Patricia!
We have a friend in common, you know? Yes, "always-on-the-go Loreley"! I was her teacher at teacher's training college, and she told me you were around at Blogging 4 Educators! :-P
Congrats on your first post. It clearly sets your background, aims and views, so we're bound to grab visitors' attention and start a happy journey along the paths of professional development.
Looking forward to getting to know you better!
Love,
Gladys
Hi Patricia!
for some time I've also been thinking about the problems or obstacles to occur while implementing these Web2.0 tools in my class next term. Since it'll be a part of my MA thesis, I have to prove :)- as much as I can- the advantages of using blogs in ELT. So it's essential for me to foreshadow the problems in order not to let them interfere the process. Therefore I definitely follow the discussion on your blog. And on my blog I'll try to describe why Web 2.0 tools are totally brain-friendly applications. I think providing such evidence on behalf of invaluable possibilities these tools open up for us will yield many people great enthusiasm to overcome the obstacles ad problems.
Please visit me at;
http://brainenrichment.blogspot.com
Warm Hugs,
Sibel
Great way to start a blog, Patricia! I'm sure all reflections posted and commented here will be of great use for teachers everywhere.
Congrats!
Ronaldo
Congratulations on your new baby blog!
I love your title!
Happy Blogging, Patricia.
Hala from Sudan ( a Webhead)
Congratulations on your baby blog. They always grow to be beautiful and huge living beings.
Kind Regards
Jose Antonio
A thought-provoking post! I love it!
I believe that we, teachers cannot ignore the benefits that blogs will add to our teaching. No doubt, we will face many obstacles but I'm sure we'll be able to overcome them. If we manage to motivate our students with interesting tasks, they will be willing to take part and the results will be great!
Am I too optimistic?
Silvia from Argentina.
Hi Patricia, great start and what a nice and inviting way to have members of the community reflect on the benefits and potential obstacles you may be facing while using Web 2.0 tools.
I also noticed that your daughter wrote you a comment, how wonderful to have memebers of your family share your web adventures.
Warm hugs from cool Caracas,
Berta
Dear Patricia:
You're a really good blogger 'cause you're challenging your audience with this piece of food for thought.!!!
You're right,there are lots of pros and conts.But we can't stop the change. So it's a good idea to try to be part of it.
I'm also worried about availability
as Webgine is. She's right, the differences are going to be deeper.We should work for the same opportunities. Don't you think?
A Hug from Del Valle in Argentina
Susana
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