One of the points in this module that really made me think is the concept and awareness of a digital footprint. I consider myself a person who is not the most digitally connected. I held off for a very long time before signing up for Facebook, and once I joined, I set the privacy settings fairly high. I always try to make sure that I disclose as little personal information as possible. This class is pushing me out of my comfort zone a little bit when it comes to use of technology, whether it be for personal or professional purposes. I had been resisting Twitter, and I had no intention of having one before this course. While I may be more conservative when it comes to technology use, many of our younger students think nothing about creating a new account online. As a result, they need to be taught the skills of safe Internet use from an early age in order to keep them protected.
In regard to blogs, I find them to be a great tool and source of information. While not all blogs are considered quality material, many blogs share well supported opinions or useful information worth considering. Teaching students how to sort the good information from the bad in the examples of blogs will help them to understand that not everything online is high quality. In addition, blogs are a great way for students to learn how to write and post their thoughts for the world to see. I can see the educational value of a blog and am excited to find ways to motivate my own students to reach this higher level of thinking and posting.
I still have some reserves when it comes to using certain technologies in the classroom. While many students do have access to a computer and Internet, not all do. I would hesitate to assign homework that requires the use of technology, unless the students without the resources are willing to work with some accommodations. In addition, while technology is designed to be more user friendly in order to gain a larger audience, some students can get frustrated when something goes wrong or they are not sure how to use the technology. If the assignment has a grade attached, such a situation could escalate the students' stress and anxiety. Until I gain more confidence in weaving technology into my lessons, I will keep these tools as an extra resource for my students rather than a requirement.
I love the concept of Padlet and sticky notes in general. Before even knowing about this online tool, I had plans to set up a "Stuff that Stuck" board in my classroom to use as an exit tool for my lessons. I want for my students to provide feedback by writing either a concept they learned, a lightbulb moment they had, or a question they want answered on a post-it note and and then stick it to the board as they exit the classroom. I could set up a similar activity online for my students (especially to cut down on the waste and cost of providing post it notes) or make a resource page similar to the one that the geometry teacher had created.
For my padlet page, I would love for you to share what kind music you like. I posted a Youtube video of Sinead O'Connor singing an Irish Rebel song called "Oro Se do Bheatha Bhaile." I would love to know what kind of music you listen to (I was also a music major, remember?). I could do something similar to this for my students as a way to get to know them and their tastes in music or some other topic. Please, post away!
Reference List
Coffman,
T. (2013). Using Inquiry in the Classroom: Developing Creative Thinkers
and Information Literate Students (2nd ed.). Lanham,
MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education.
Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2010). Web 2.0: How-to for Educators. Washington, DC: International
Society for Technology in Education.
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