First, some random person overall thoughts... As I read these chapters I feel like the character in a movie with the devil sitting on one shoulder and an angel sitting on the other shoulder having conversations with me about whether or not the social web is good or bad. I love the enthusiasm Richardson writes with as he explains the Read/Write Web because it gets me excited about trying new things with the staff and students at school and also for my own personal use. But I also can't help but feel a little anxious about the fear of the unknown. I completely agree with the idea that these web-based tools provide networks of resources connecting us to a plethora of valuable interests, ideas, professionals...the list is endless. I know from my personal learning experience with the classes we are taking that I love the idea of interacting with others and have gained so much from networking with my co-hort and other professionals. These tools definitely have their place in the educational setting and I can't wait to share them with others, but (the little devil speaks) I start having "what if" thoughts - such as "what if we go overboard with all this connectivity - I can see where there may be students who go through class with little effort because they can get lost in a group that does everything for them. Can all this technology create lazy learners? But then (the little angel wakes up) I think of specific students who struggle and I think of how this will work great for differentiation in the classroom. I go from great ideas to feeling overwhelmed.
Back to Chapter 6... I have been curious about Twitter, find it funny that there is a whole new "twitter vocabulary," but again have some reservations about it. I see some great potential and love the examples Richardson provides, but can it become too much? I also see it as sucking my valuable time by getting addicted to the idea that I need to read everyone's tweets.
How do we balance it all out and sort the good from the bad before we become "addicted." I kind of envy those that just dives right in, but for me personally, I think I'll just wade in and see if I want to become a "Twitter-ite."
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I feel the same struggle Joan. My biggest struggle is the time management issue. I don't have time for a social life now with friends, how could I possibly have time for social networking. Right now I am two hours behind taking my kids a hour away to see their grandparents and cousins for a Fourth of July celebration and fireworks. I still need to pack and clean, so I know that in the end my social networking will put me about five hours behind.
ReplyDeleteWe need to talk about this a little more as a class - the management issue comes up a lot. And a worthy topic!
ReplyDeleteI don't think it will create lazy learners, but can create engaged learners. Even in groups and we have done very little with groups.
Reference in one of our readings on role of each in a group - like literature circles.
Think audience and focus for our students. If they have an authentic audience and a clear picture of goal, they will create some amazing projects!
And they may have more time than we do :-) !!