EDCI 5825 Week 5 Reading Reflection Qs

1. Should all teachers be encouraged to create online activities for students within traditional classrooms? Please explain.

I think that all teachers should be encouraged to create online activities for students within traditional classrooms if the resources are available to their students. I think it might be a good idea for the teacher to assess the learning styles or needs in her classroom before adjusting online activities to her pupils as well. An interesting perspective on this as well from the readings is when the VHS Head Mr. Droste discussed the fact that although you may incorporate online activities in your classroom it does not mean that all activities must be based off of this teaching style: "It doesn't all have to be Internet based. It could be, 'Go out and interview somebody. Come back. Share with us what the interview is.' A lot of what we are trying to do is have these courses act as springboards away from the machines..." (November 2010 86). I think that if online activities are used to foster cognition because students are adapt to learning this way then it can be a dynamic and wonderful addition to any classroom. One fact that I thought was interesting was the fact that Scotland is building the leading online resource for K-12, a nationwide learning platform called GLOW. This will links all schools together for the benefit of sharing resources. I think this is an incredible concept! Nowadays, using online learning in the classroom is as easy as a click away to the website MOODLE, which makes design and delivery of online courses more accessible. With tools like this there is a window of opportunity for teachers that need more experience creating the online activities for their students as well.
One critical issue that I believe was very well discussed in the reading is the fact that some students would feel more comfortable expressing themselves online. This is an interesting point and perspective I do not share as I am from a generation where email was impressive! One student (Ruth Williams) quoted states that: "I like being anonymous" (November 2010). I feel though that grading based on online activities is a topic I would need more insight to as a pre-service teacher. Some students may feel comfortable expressing themselves anonymously but not publicly, like, for example, in a blog setting. In addition I believe that when using online activities teachers should make sure that students feel comfortable with assignments and protect their online safety and more importantly, their Emotional safety when using online activities no matter what.

2. Envision the role of social networking in 21st century learning environments. Write a brief description of this vision.

As a teacher, I think it would be important first to establish a clear definition of how social networking would be used in learning environments for the simple reason that there are two kinds of possible uses as defined in the reading. In a study based on people's participation in a "new media ecology' research noted that: "A key finding in the study was this: our kids are using social technologies in teo important ways. First, they engage in what the report calls "friendship-based-ways" [...] but the other way that youth are beginning to connect using these tools is more compelling. That is, kids are using social networks to "explore interests and find information that goes beyond what they have access to at school or in their local community" (Richardson 2010). That said, I believe that using social networking with scaffolded approaches to content area could definitely be incorporated with online activities and learning in a positive way! In addition when using sites like Facebook, assignments should be clearly explained to students, for example the fact that the online activity will be "internet-based" and not "friendship-based" (Richardson 2010). One idea I was brainstorming about for my Unit Plan in Cory's class was having the students create Myspace/Facebook pages that represented profiles (based on other research and class tutorials) of prominent authors studied. Some parts of the assignment would be required for example: Picture, bio, posting on another classmate's 'Author Page' and 'friending' other 'Authors' as well. Students would however be greatly encouraged to incorporate creative ideas to demonstrate their new knowledge and cognitive development as well as EQs if they can master, for example, the writing style of Pablo Neruda through poetry posted to their pages. Other optional requirements might entail using music from the the culture of the author, quotes, back round and especially linking to social media tools like, Delicious bookmarks, Twitter account, Flickr photos, and even Youtube! I think there is a lot I could do to develop this assignment in a way that engages students and makes them feel like their personal interests and youth culture are being addressed :) P.S My English Content Area teacher Ms. Sue Pet is already using Ning, which was also mentioned in the reading and seems really neat!
That's all for now, cheers, AA