Week 4- Wikis, Will Richardson & Ethical, Safe and Appropriate Use of Technology

I couldn’t help but wonder whether or not it should be important for an education environment to have a shared vision aboout where and what tools to use. There are numerous tools and resources to help integrate technology and enhance student learning. The problem I am having, is knowing what to use . Not to mention, how quickly new tools are popping up. How do you decide? Will having a shared vision help? Or, will this slow the process? Is it OK to do your own thing? Can you imagine being a student and your science teacher is having you start a blog or wiki with one tool and your English teacher is having another and another teacher could be starting a third etc.? Our school will be implementing MOODLE. I am almost afraid to branch off in one direction when I know that moodle could change everything.

To give an example, we use TASKSTREAM for our digital portfolio program. This program gives students a place to collect, select and reflect on learning. I like the program and it is easy to use. I like it because we can build a template to share with students. The problem is that this is outsourced and is very expensive. I believe we could accomplish the same outcome with free web 2.0 tools. How do you go about getting everyone on the same page? We most definitely need better, more secure tools. I meet with every freshman. I think it would be very effective for students to start a wiki or blog in their first year of high school. They could have more freedom and gather samples of their work by utilizing a wide variety of tools. We could certainly use it as a place to document reflections on essential questions for each class. I do worry that students would sabotage other student pages if they had access.

I like the idea of having a classroom wiki to use as a conversation tool (pbwiki). I like the way pbwiki describes how it gives a group of people a place to share ideas. We use a wiki at our high school to share information and membership links to resources. I find it amazing that students can make changes to this page. To date, we have never had a problem. Chapter 2 offers a variety of wiki websites mediawiki.com, brainkeeper, wikidot and wikispaces etc. I use google sites to offer information online. I post class information, homework, research topics etc. I don’t like google sites, because I find it difficult to use and even more difficult to build and be creative. I want to find a wiki site that is fun for students that they can use and be creative. I believe this could replace our very expensive digital portfolio program. I also like the idea that they could use this as a tool to communicate and connect with others. We are meeting with technology teachers in elementary schools. We could use these collaborative tools to connect students from the elementary schools. There are so many ways to connect students locally, but more exciting is our ability to connect students all over the world.

The Will Richardson article gives a great example of this collaboration with his story of a young student communicating with her readers. It amazes me that she has people accessing and sharing ideas. I also love the stream team project. The idea of connecting kids all over the world to work collaboratively on projects is amazing. Yet, our schools block access to the tools that students are using to learn. I agree that students are developing their own networks and could use these skills to enhance their education. Unfortunately, they are so far ahead of their teachers. The fears and concerns about crime and sharing information that is dangerous is very real. I know I am fighting that battle now. A digital portfolio is full of personal information and I find a lot of resistance when recommending free tools. What would be a secure, free tool that is safe and collaborative? How do we get teachers on the same path? How can we reduce some of the fears?

Crime & Cyber bullies

Media sharing gives educators powerful tools to communicate messages and share stories about the dangers of online communication. Not to mention ethical, safe and proper use of technology. I usually use a series videos followed by writing prompts to help students reflect on their online communication habits. I usually use paper and pencil. Instead, I believe students could use their blog or wiki to share information and reflections when covering units on cyber bullying, sharing images and understanding stranger dangers.

We also share Ryan Patrick Halligan’s story. There are several powerful videos on you tube that are narrated by Ryan's his father. The students in my, class respond with disgust. Yet, I often see them bully someone the next day.

Katie Couric claims that 1 in 3 teens are victimized online.
Laurie Drew could get a whopping three misdemeanors for what she did to Megan Meyer. I don't feel the punishment fits the crime. There doesn't seem to be a standard system of response. Unfortunately, in a world of technology and communication that is changing so fast, I do not believe we have a system in place to protect children.
One website claims that it was shut down because it targeted high school students and would spread hate and slander. It was shut down for poor computer use. I commend Maryland’s Attorney General for using his power to try to protect high school students. I believe we have to do more. Teachers should at least open communication and spend more time educating students about staying safe online. Also, how their behavior impacts others.