Applying these Skills

For the past two weeks I have been helping the one computer teacher with a class she is taking at on Web 2.0 applications. Other than having deadlines, killer projects - you know the usual grad workload - this online class we have worked on, for no grad credits BTW, I would say we have learned the same things. Sure, some of the applications in their class were a bit newer, but by next month they will also be old news. The bottom line is the application of these Web 2.o tools for student learning.

Her final project was two fold - one a wiki and a class project utilizing some application. It seemed there were major roadblocks with every project she thought of, so she asked me for assistance. We decided to do a VoiceThread and allow the class to select the topic, find an image, write twenty seconds of text to explain their picture, complete with a bibliography. At first the kids were struggling, but after some guidance and exploration they really embraced the assignment.

It really showed the students a few things: collaboration between teachers, a group project with individual input, teachers learning with the students, trial and error, and collaboration outside of the school. The collaboration outside the school occurred with a picture on Flickr that was copyrighted, but encouraged contact with the photographer. I sent the photographer an email asking for permission and within hours received a lovely reply granting permission with even more information and his thoughts about the topic. What was really exciting and really outside the classroom in Hershey was he was in India! Talk about a global learning community!

So, check out the VoiceThread on the page. Leave a comment for the kids.

Going Green