One More Workshop, Please!

Just read Will Richardson's latest blog post "The Larger Lessons," which continues the discussion about tech tools being simply that...a tool that teachers should use to educate the minds of those who entered our doors. A tool. Not the curriculum. Not the reason I teach grammar, writing, vocabulary, reading. Just one of the many tools that I have at my disposal.

It’s one of the reasons that I get continually frustrated with NECC sessions and Tweets and blogs that celebrate tools without giving weight to the considerations that goes into choosing a tool in a pedagogical sense. We need more sessions on “why?’ not “how?”...

While many if not most of these lessons can be learned without technology, I think transferring those lessons into the contexts of online networks and global, cross-cultural, sometimes anonymous interactions is not necessarily fait accompli with our kids.

As a Year 2 Web 2.0 learner, I really appreciated this post. Last year I was truly overwhelmed just learning the reality of the existence of Web 2.0...I was fairly content in Web 1.0; actually, until peer Lisa Huff, no one had taken the time (or was it that no one else knew about Web 2.0 either? Maybe?) to show me, to teach me, so that I could then learn.

This year, I am still overwhelmed. I have spent several days this summer learning more tech tools. Now, as I sit here and as I talk to my fellow comrades who are also now entering the land of Web 2.0, my head and theirs now are spinning with the "why." Which tool do I use with what Framework? Which ones (besides blogs and wikis) am I the most comfortable with in showing my students? What lessons would best be enhanced with Penzu, Protopage, WikiSpaces, Webspiration?

School starts in about four weeks. Am I crazy, or do I need another workshop? A shop where we actually "work" on these very decisions. While my being crazy might be debated, the answer to this question is yes. We need another workshop. Oh, my.

Previously posted at Treasure Chest of Thoughts.

21 clc: Day 2

Today our three 21 clc professional learning teams met and spent time further developing and utilizing our Web. 20 tools. I created headers for several of my class blogs...have two to go! If you have time, please visit them:

Check out these new headers!

• English 11: Pioneers Write
• Pre-AP English 10: Writing Right
• Yearbook: A New Creation

I have a blog per class. Some teachers have one blog for all their classes. While my method is a little more work on me, keeping separate class blogs is more friendly for my students. They are quick to learn that I expect them to check the blogs fairly often, for I do spend time writing reminders and updates.

During our afternoon session, our leader Lisa Huff challenged us to complete 21 tasks throughout this academic year. I, for one, love a good challenge. So...ready, set, go!

Today's session came to a conclusion with a Skype visit with author Dan Pink, whose book (A Whole New Mind) our 21 clc teams read this summer...very cool! So nice of him to agree to meet with us and spend quality time answering our questions. Thanks, Mr. Pink! Look forward to your soon-to-be released book.

21 CLC: Day 1

The journey has begun!

Well, actually this adventure began back in the spring as we applied to have a 21 CLC team. Congrats to my team...Team 2.

• Ann Ballard


• Betty Barnett


• Carla James


• Kathy Walter


• Jay Williams

So glad to be working with these professionals as we grow throughout this year!

The next leg of this journey was to read...or in my case...still reading...Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind. Tomorrow, we are to "meet" this author via Skype! (Of course, more about that later!)

Today, all of the new teams are meeting and being introduced to several Web 2.0 tools.

Comments on today: Honestly? If I were new to this, I might be ready to throw up! Overload. Today, my teammates have been introduced to gmail, Delicious, (I prefer Diigo), Reader, blogs. Fortunately, I began begging, borrowing, reading, watching, learning, re-learning these Web 2.0 tools over a year ago.

All-in-all, though? Everyone seemed excited to be learning about technology.