Lessons Learned

On reflection, I learned that there are many open source Web 2.0 tools online that I can use in the future. Randy helped introduce me to Animoto. I got some experience in VoiceThreads. But, my other classmates helped me to see the vast possibilities in such online tools as Garage Band authoring software (Tracee), http://www.weebly.com (Peggy), http://www.teachertube (Peggy), Jing & Moodle (Jason), http://prezi.com/34727/ (Randy), AuthorStream (Jonathan), and Movie Maker (Jolandra). Through my classmates, I learned that we can combine multimedia writing in audio, video, music, text, and photos to produce powerful interpretations that show mastery of a given online Web 2.0 tool or subject area. (Richardson, 2006) I hope to learn to use many of these Web 2.0 authoring tools in the future.

I learned about the future classroom and its pocket computers, small personalized learning groups, and multimedia contact with experts to connect theory to actual practice. I really loved Dr. Sugar’s reference to Alvin Toffler (Daly, 2009) because Toffler believes education should be contextualized around themes of what students have a personal interest in such as sports, or English for Toffler himself. I like the idea of transforming schools from the holding cell concept, or custodial place concept, to a place of creativity that maximizes each student’s potential. I will use Toffler’s point of view when formulating how education should change in the future.

I learned that it is alright not to know the right answer, but you must know where to find the right answer online. (Richardson, 2006) I learned that we must now be more critical consumers of information online because of the ease to publish without review. I agree with Lick (2001) that we must learn before we can change. We must learn how to find, use, and assemble Web 2.0 blog and wiki techniques before we can change in creating our own blogs and wikis. The three R’s of learning have transformed to the three C’s of connecting, content creating, and collaborating. Our ability to publish and interact on the web using reading, reflecting, writing, and participating will produce different kinds of relationships on the web that are more enduring and assuring of new opportunities to become global change agents. (Richardson, 2006) In the future, I want to use my new multimedia skills to become an effective global change agent.

References

Daly, J. (2009). Future school: Reshaping learning from the ground up. Retrieved March 7, 2009, from http://www.edutopia.org/future-school

Lick, D. W. (2001). Leading change: Creating the future for educational technology. Retrieved May 17, 2009, from http://campustechnology.com/Articles/2001/12/Leading-Change-Creating-the-Future-for-Education-Technology.aspx?p=1

Richardson, W. (2006). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.