DANGER

DANGER
As it has been discussed within blogs to date, Web 2.0 technologies offer an abundance of teaching modes and resources that make learning experiences meaningful and engaging for todays students. It is vital that both within the school and home environment that students are aware of the dangers of web 2.0 technologies. The main danger and cause of recent news is cyber bullying. It is up to parents and teachers alike to make students aware of the dangers and to give them strategies and skills to handle the dangers.
This week all the grade 5/6 students were spoken to by our school principal in regards to cyber bullying and accessing appropriate web sites. Every grade 5/6 student within our school has a mini lap top and the vigilance of our staff is crucial for the successful use of this resource and teaching tool. The students all watched a cyber bullying video on the classroom electronic whiteboard from the Victorian Department of Education and Training. This can be accessed from: http://www.digizen.org/cyberbullying/fullFilm.aspx
There is several website that provide supportive information on the dangers of technologies such as:
http://www.nfschools.net/106120826102117440/site/default.asp (love the picture on this site)
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/management/elearningsupportservices/www/classroom/video.htm
If we looked at the dangers associated in all activities that students engage in we would find possible dangers, the key here is providing students with the knowledge, skills and ability to protect themselves in addition to setting a level of expectation and rules of technology use.

SHOULD STUDENTS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS BE ACTIVE CONTRIBUTORS AS WELL AS PASSIVE ABSORBERS?

Students in primary schools should definetely be active contributors to learning. When students contribute they feel valued, their sense of belonging is promoted, they take ownership of their learning and are engaged. From observation when teachers include student contributions in terms of establishing classroom rules, rewards and learning experiences their classrooms have minimal behavioural disruptions and students learning outcomes are promoted.

From a personal perspective in regards to online study, I find that when I actively participate in online discussion forums, blogs (as this unit requires), wiki's and verbal interaction with teaching colleagues my learning is enhanced, concepts and understandings concreted and perspective broadened.

Technology is a great avenue to promote active participation through web 2.0 technologies.

In reflection upon web 2.0 technologies and blog 1 postings I think it is important to consider the importance the teachers understandings of these technologies to ensure that the learning outcomes are achieved.

This unit has already opened my eyes to exciting technologies that would support student learning within the classroom setting, such as; wiki, twitter, flickr, Ning, Youtube, slideshare, del.icio.us, wordle and of course BLOGS.
http://www.techsoup.org/toolkits/web2/








I believe that all of these Web 2.0 technologies have a place within the classroom as each technology supports learning that is relevant to students current lives and thereby suports learning that is meaningful. In addition Web 2.0 technologies provide a variety of stimulating forums for students to express themselves in writing and with symbols or pictures and can be implemented into teaching across all domains of learning. It is viable to consider however that thought Web 2.0 technologies support valuable learning experiences these forums should not saturate teaching and learning, simply form part of teaching and learning experiences to ensure that all students learning needs are supported within the classroom context.

I have seen first hand the benefit of technology as a tool to teach students within a classroom as at the school that I work in each of the twelve grades has an electronic whiteboard that incorporates technology across all areas of the curriculum through educatioal websites, powerpoint presentations, Youtube and search engines to name a few. In addition all students within grade 5 and 6 have their own mini lap top. From my own observations technology has supported engagement, interaction and new skills.

I am looking forward to all the new challenges and learning this unit of study will bring and the impact my learning will have on future teaching practices.