I finally have my textbook!

Actually it came on Wednesday  and I didn't get home until 9 though from our softball game and I did have some reading to catch up on. So here goes...

Just a reminder that our textbook is Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and other Powerful Web Tools for the Classroom  by Will Richardson

Week 1: Chapter 1 The Read/Write Web

"Before you attempt to bring these technologies to your students, first be selfish about their use in your own learning practice" (Will Richardson). This statement just pops out to me from our textbook. I think that sometimes when we are introduced to new things as educators we have tendency to just jump into things without looking, without thinking. I think the author is pointing out that we must first become comfortable with these technologies before we go off and try to use them in our classroom and then feeling frustrated. Our students are using technology and we need to be able to work with them not against them.There are so many ways out there to use technology and we need to feel comfortable and believe in what we are using before we try to have our students use these tools.

Week 2: Chapter 2 and 3 Weblogs.... 

In Chapter 2 Richardson goes into what Weblogs are and how we can use them in the classroom. I am not going to lie I am usually pretty skeptical about using tools such as Weblogs in my math classroom. I can see the advantage that they could play in many classes but I am always thinking in the back of my head...  "now how am I suppose to use that in mathematical setting?" 

I swear Richardson must have known that others would have that thought because right about then the next paragraph is showing an AP Calculus blog. Then of course I start running with ideas in my head about how I could use them in my classroom.

In Chapter 3, Richardson goes on with how to get started using a Weblog and how to use them safely with our students. I sure wished my textbook would have came a little sooner. But there was still a couple pointers in the chapter that I have flagged. 

Week 3: Chapter 4 and 7

 Chapter 4 is all about Wikis.. 

The chapter starts off by talking about Wikipedia ... All I have to say is that our students will click on this first when doing research. I know this, because it is usually the first thing I click on. We as educators need to show our students how it works and how to use it. It is a great starting point but not the only place to find information. After the little part on
Wikipedia, Richardson goes on to talk about how one could use Wikis in the class... and I love that the entire time I am reading, all I can think about is how I need to talk to the other teachers in my building about this. There are so many ways we could use them. Not just with our students but as a way to work as a staff. Like I said, I can't wait to talk about it!! 

Chapter 7... Flickr

Flickr is a way for you to upload, share photos and connect with millions of others. It allows one to take their photo and tell a story with it. You can then share your photo with others and they can leave comments on it. You can also look at tons of photos that others have uploaded. Richardson discuss ways to use Flickr in the classroom. Another technology tool I think I will have to share with my coworkers.