Journal 1 (NETS-T 1-5)

Light, D. (2011). Do web 2.0 right. Learning and Leading With Technology, 5(38), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-december-january-2010.aspx

Through Daniel Light and Deborah Polin’s research of Web 2.0 classroom users, my view of technologies’ place in the classrooms is changing. Through the 22 schools Light and Polin visited, throughout the country, and interviewing 39 educators – they are illustrating how the fundamental tools of Web 2.0 can help start teachers integrate the “online world” with his/her students.

I have been skeptical about the thought of having students produce work through online blogs due to certain students who need their privacy. This article has shed light on the positive views on how to assimilate technology into classrooms in a safe manner. As noted in the article, teachers are to create a constant and meaningful connection among his/her students. Among the three points that Light has pointed out are:

-Instituting daily practices

-Carefully considering the audience

-Teaching and enforcing appropriate behavior.

Although all three points are very important, I view the second point vital in a classroom. As every student in the classroom is individually different, a teacher must understand each student before addressing an assignment online and having the assignment as a public blog to his/her peers or as a private blog between student and teacher. Personally, I would rather use blog assignments as a “private” mean of communicating among my students every other week. Maybe use it as a small assignment, as the students would not only be working on their computer skills but also writing and understanding them on a personal level. In this sense, I may be able to understand how they feel about the class, but I still would encourage my students to address their feelings to me in person. Web 2.0 can offer a lot of fundamental tools in a classroom, but only if it’s done right.

Q: I am bit perplex to how I could use the technology in my future 1^st or 2^nd grade classroom?

A: I could use technology when teaching Math and Science to a younger audience. Plus, using technology in Math and Science is fun and hands on. I can also use Web 2.0 by involving my parents. I can see how a blog community among myself and parents – even parents among parents, can develop a well round relationship throughout the year. Blogs could also be used privately between parents and me if parents do not feel comfortable expressing their views or concerns to other parents.

Q: Does Web 2.0 really work in a classroom?

A: Yes. As Light noted, it is all a matter of how the teacher approaches her class. Integrating technology in a classroom can work, only if done right. Just because one follows the three points given up above by Light does not suggest that the class will flow smoothly on the first try. Assimilating Web 2.0 would take some time for the teacher and students to adjust to the routine/teaching plans of working technology into the classroom.   

Introducing Myself ...

Hi my name is Melisa Finney, I love to cook, be in the ocean, travel, cruise, sail, and spend most of my time around my family and friends. I was born with a heart problem, basically -- I had a heart murmur. My family was living in Guam at the time, but the island was not equipped with the proper medical equipments. Therefore, my parents sacrificed everything just so their daughter could live with a strong heart.
My  parents soon decided to move my brother and I to beautiful California. Months after we arrived to California I went through what's called a Pulmonary Valve Stenosis at the Children's Hospital at the age of eight.

 

Life in California. At the age of eight, my family lived in Mira Mesa, Poway & Temecula. While living in Mira Mesa I attended Mason Elementary, in Poway I attended Park Village Elementary School and Mesa Verde Middle School. My freshmen year, my family moved to Temecula, where I attended Temecula Valley High School. Then, in 2005 I graduated high school. My first two and a half years of college was at Palomar Community College. I decided to attend Palomar because I was unsure of my major and completing my GE at a community was affordable. When I had completed my GE, I was was having trouble in figuring out what I wanted to major in, Kinesiology or Biology? After all the Science classes I took, I decided to major in HISTORY! Thanks to Professor Marshall & Johnson from Palomar. I took their classes for fun one semester and I just knew that History was my calling. Also, their way of teaching also inspired me to become a teacher. After receiving my AA at Palomar I entered CSUSM as a History Major in the Spring of 2009. This May, I will finally be graduating. After transferring to CSUSM I also got married to my best friend. I must say that I am so blessed to have him in my life. God had already blessed me with one family and he has given me another pair of parents to call "Mom & Dad". I must say, it's great to have two loving and supportive families. Now, I am currently "trying" to study for my CSET in hopes of applying for the 2011 Fall teaching credential program.

My knowledge in technology is "pretty good". Although the only "gizmo" I own of APPLE is their classic ipod -- I can work my way around apple computers, phone, ipad & itouch. I swear everyone in my family, including my little brother or my 4 year old cousin has an ipad, i touch, or iphone. Maybe one day, when I can afford it, plus my phone provider (Verizon) doesn't carry the iphone. However, I hear they will start this month. Meanwhile, I do well and learn well with my Dell Inspiron and my Samsung phone. My experience with technology has been smooth sailing so far, I thank my Uncle who keeps me up to date with the latest "Geek Tech News" I get from him.  Now, as far as knowing and understanding how I can incorporate this "tech tool" into my classroom one day -- is something I need to work on.

I applied to CSUSM because I knew I wanted to enter their Teaching Program. Just after taking EDU 364 & EDU 350 last summer -- I somewhat understood our the mission statement. I say "somewhat" because I don't think I have truly understood my words and ideas until I actually experience what it's like to implement my words in the papers I wrote in 364 & 350. However, I felt and understood that the Professors are hear to prepare us to become thoughtful educators to our future students. By doing so, us (I), who inspire to become educators one day, must understand and be committed to multi-culturalism, social justice, equality -- shown through our teaching & learning process. The world is constantly changing around us, technology, land geography, what's hip and what's no longer hip -- the learning will never end. I guess that is why it's so important to be committed to diversity of our society. After all we (I) inspired to be teacher(s) not for the pay or for the glory -- but for the students.