Web+2.0+Learning

= WEB 2.0 Learning =



Final Personal Growth Reflection   Onward, upward, or some direction is a phrase I heard often from a colleague. It always seemed to make sense and yet at the same time it didn’t make sense. Most of what I worked on in this course stayed with me every waking and sleeping moment. I constantly asked what does this all mean or what does all this mean for my teaching, my students, and what do I do with it? I often said with each piece of the course rolling out-onward, upward, or some direction. I will consider this course in terms of my new understandings that will affect my teaching and students learning, shifting instructional focus and practice, plan to implement, impact from implementation and my PLN that will be a constantly changing document of my learning and professional growth in the use of Web 2.0 tools and resources.  My new understanding has affected my teaching and students learning as the course unfolded. My first grade literacy unit with the mentor author, Mem Fox, I utilized my learning from this course. My first graders could experience Mem Fox reading some of her books. They could see and watch her read one of their favorite books, The Goblin and the Empty Chair. We are utilizing technology as we craft our reading response together on my laptop connected to our projector. This course has enabled me to use online tools to make our science unit on weather so much fun and so much more engaging for my students. My instructional focus for my lessons now includes what tools can I include to meet the learning needs of each of my students. After utilizing these tools I sit back and consider the success/failure and what are my next steps. Further what did my students learn and what more can I do to increase engagement and learning.  My PLN will be a living, changing document. I am continuing to explore what tools are available for my students. Of particular importance for me is to involve my students in the work and put their learning into practice. I aspire to the Alan November quote, “If we do not teach students social responsibility and ethics then our worst fears of children abusing these tools will come true.” This quote is part of my PLN and hopefully will be modeled by me constantly in my teaching and classroom.  So as I said at the beginning, “ Onward, upward, or some direction!” I will continue to struggle but strive to challenge my students and myself with rigorous learning that includes technology.