Blog #1 - Web 2.0

· Web 2.0 shows promise for the present and future of teaching students how to be successful in an ever-changing, ever-advancing society. Outside of the classroom students are already beginning to master interactive use of online tools vs. passive activities online, such as reading unchangeable content within websites. Which means teachers, including myself, need to jump start learning and use Web 2.0 tools, such as blogging, digital storytelling, and creating podcast. After reaching a level of comfort, teachers can incorporate Web 2.0 activities in the classroom.
· Though teachers can take a lead in using Web 2.0 in the classroom, the full benefits will not be seen until the school district sees the importance of using Web 2.0 tools for learning across the school district. The challenges school districts face include funding, creating goals for Web 2.0 use, an action plan for a smooth transition at all levels, a knowledgeable tech team, a server, a fully functioning and reliable network, one computer to every student, and much more. This setup is in practice under the category of “The New Technology High School model.” My school district is one that is already struggling and laying off individuals. For me, things need to begin at the classroom level and hope there is a ripple effect.
· Transitioning students and parents into using Web 2.0 can be a gradual yet beneficial process. In the Spanish classroom, teachers can begin with simple activities that allow students to improve their use of the target language, such as recording podcasts and critiquing their own work. Submitting podcasts as a speaking assessment can also be a reliable and useful way to use Web 2.0 tools in the classroom. Transitioning parents into using Web 2.0 can include posting “tweets” on www.twitter.com about upcoming events in the classroom, which is one action I plan to take this coming school year. (Parents and students receive the tweets, as long as they have signed up to follow the teacher’s twitter page. They can be sent cell phones too.) This action can open the door to communication between the teacher and the parents by keeping all parties informed and participating in communication.
· More Web 2.0 activities from resources:
1. Record conversations or verb conjugation for playback and study using their cell phone recording feature or dial into a phone number that records this and turns it immediately into a podcast that can be downloaded or listened to on the Internet (www.odeo.com).
2. Use headsets and talk with students across the world via Internet (www.skype.com).
3. Conjugate verbs across the room and text one another their answers in a contest.
4. Use a digital recorder like an iPod to record a Spanish conversation and share it with the class.
5. Find and download authentic foreign language text and/or music onto their iPod or MP3, plug into class speakers and share with everyone, then to translate.

Reference Source #1 - http://www.miltonramirez.com/2008/10/web-20-should-be-used-more-often-in.html
Reference Source #2 - k12online.wm.edu/Web20classroom.pdf