My first swing at Generative Technology
September 19, 2006

I have to admit, this is my first blog. I have mixed emotions about it~ I'm excited because this is something I hope to use in my classroom in the future, but I am nervous too because this is brand-new to me, and it's old hat to many people around the world including kids much younger than myself. I feel like up to this point I've "been out of the loop". After reading the Wikipedia info on blogs, I realize that it's been going on since the 90's...the 90's?? I had no idea what a blog even was until a former roommate asked me to read her radical (somewhat anarchist, angst ridden) blog a year ago. It kind of scared me so I never thought of them as anything other than a way for people to vent or have a diary. My eyes have truly been opened since reading about the Read/Write web and the many uses of generative technology in the classroom.

Now that I've had the opportunity to research and experience blogs, wikis, and podcasts in the Read/Write web, I see how they connect to our CRIN S07's ideas about Technology Integration. One of the most important aspects of Technology Integration to me is to ENGAGE STUDENTS. This is a major facet of my educational philosophy. Blogs, podcasts, and wikis are each amazing ways of engaging students. Room 208's podcast really solidified this idea to me. Kids love technology which makes them excited about suing it, and they able to be active participants in the learning process all at the same time! : ) I love that! Another one of our ideas about Technology Integration is that students should realize that they are part of the "bigger picture". I've found that the generative technology (podcasts, wikis, and blogs) are an excellent way to do so. Part of the Read/Write web said that blogging is actually "publishing" in a sense. In my mind, so is podcasting and wikis. What a great way to tie learning to the "big picture" and really make learning meaningful to the students. These are two examples of how generative technology ties to our Integrative Technology ideas, but I could go on to name many more connections. The bottom line is that I am in agreement that these are great tools to bring into the classroom.

These technologies open new doors to learning that are much more powerful than print media. Research opportunities are amazing on the internet, and go well beyond what may be available in a small school library. Also, these technologies allow students to work together and "peer coach". I see great value in these applications. My concerns are very few. One of the main things that worries me is the amount of planning required to execute these technologies in the most effective way. As a future teacher, I am already feeling the pressure of the SOL's and school accreditation. Planning is already tough, and I think it will take an even greater amount of time to implement these technologies. I've already recognized that I will not be able to integrate these tools in every lesson. Nevertheless, the additional planning required appear to be well worth it in the long run. After all, the learning pyramid shows that teachers learn the most by interactive, collaborative learning which is achieved with these technologies.

I am so enthusiastic to become a high school world history teacher. After learning about podcasts, wikis, and blogs, I came up with many ideas about using them in my classroom. For instance, one writer in the Read/Write web said that podcasts are a way for students to become oral historians. That makes so much sense to me, and it is one of my main goals to teach students to think and learn the skills of a historian. Another idea I had is to create a class webage for the History Units we study, such as the Enlightenment or World War I. It would allow students to each contribute to the learning (online blog entries) and also take an interdisciplinary approach by pulling in other resources tied to the subject area.