Think about the current environment you face in your teaching. Share your insights on the issues and implications of using Web 2.0 tools with your students.

Aside from access, and student computer skills, our biggest challenge to implementation is acceptance of the tools.  We are fortunate to work for a board that is very progressive in the area of technology, and therefore have access to web 2.0 tools, youtube and more.

A further challenge is staff buy in and awareness.  Some staff members are fully committed to a 21st century classroom and are willing to learn and try new things, while others actively resist.  It is difficult to fully implement these technologies without full buy in.

Most items covered though great, would not be effective in class due to time constraint and learning curve let alone technology restraints.

Some issues and implications we discussed are:

- access problems in the computer lab or mobile labs

- some schools do not have access to a computer for every student in a class

- FOIP issues: privacy of students' work and pictures online

- logistics of passwords in certain applications

- would have to make sure that websites are curriculum-related

- focussing students in on content ie. a proper story-line not just fooling around

- lots of pre-planning and structure required

- interesting potential for parents who are home-schooling

- great potential for creativity

- teachers need more professional development on these applications, and time to "play" with it

and the biggest one:

- TIME!  We hardly have enough time to teach our curriculum, where can we find time to use these tools?!

• Many web 2.0 tools require the students to have e-mail accounts in order to register.  Our division does not allow the children to have e-mails.  A teacher must then create "fake" or "sub" e-mail accounts for the children to use for registering purposes. 
• It can be difficult for teachers when a classroom can be so diverse in computer knowledge.  The teacher may take more time than thought necessary to explain how to use a site, and the true outcome of the lesson can be lost

Scheduling different student groups when labs are available.  I can see that my end products or projects will be so much richer and offer individuality to those projects.  Not all students love to draw but now they can find photos or pictures to use and even manipulate them to suit their needs better.

Implications that are of particular importance would be that of the educational rigor surrounding student learning/achievement/success.  More specifically, is it actually meeting the objectives of the program of studies?  In addition, at our session on "Digital Storytelling", the idea of students becoming meaning-makers before they become media-makers was brought to the forefront.

We discussed FOIP issues and legalities and permission to access the sites for blogging and wikiing.  We explored different blogging sites. It made us think about where to take this and to be prepared for where it can go.

We also discussed in our groups the aspect of web access and the importance of digital citizenship to create responsible users.

What are the challenges or issues of using these tools in the classroom?There was a great range of resources presented here.

I see very few problems with using these rsources in the classroom setting. They are all open and available for students to use with minimal software installations. Students can use them from home if they wish. The language and pictures are all appropriate.

There may be issues with student privacy. Some sites like Yodio may allow students to publicly share their creations which is of course a FOIPA concern.

I will certainly introduce them to all of these sites because I know that they will be able to find at least one that will speak to them and their students. MY favourite was Myths and Legends Story Creator
http://myths.e2bn.org/story_creator/

The sites shared today were wonderful; however, it takes a great deal of time to complete a project on them.  Many of the sites can't be saved, so many projects might not be completed because of the time allotted for each project.

If you created examples for teachers that show how these tools can be used by students to create and build do you think that would help them buy-in or is the trouble of buy in from other factors?

Some of the ones that I viewed would be appropriate for upper elementary. Is this more of a time issue or a project management issue? I can't imagine K- 3 students doing some of these projects. Although I suppose there are many ways that K- 3 teachers could support their students in building these stories.

Sometimes if time is a constraint I just have them do part of a story for practice.  For example the beginning of the story where different setting places and times can be explored, etc.  After several attempts at the different parts they may (I'm saying this because I'm not sure with digital storytelling if this will work well) be quick enough or I hope have enough planning completed to quickly finish a digital story.  That's how I'm going to start anyway.

I find the same thing with having the rest of the staff accept new things.  It is hard to push new technology and have all the kids on the same page when some teachers are not willing to put in the extra time to learn the new technology themselves.

You have to try to use the tools to teach the curriculum.  Try using some of the math sites to teach a concept instead of just enhance it.  It's a great way for classes to practice their skills instead of using paper.

If you use technology enough the class will get used to it as a tool not a toy.  Just like hands on manipulatives, they are always used as a toy until they become a useful tools.

Don't give up!

We covered a lot of sites that demonstrated digital imaging.  I teach primary and though they seemed very fun and interesting to do maybe on personal time, I don't think they would be very practical for classroom use.  Has anyone done it effectively?  Please let me know, I would like to know how and what you used.

Hi Krista,

I have successfully used Windows Movie Maker with students in grade 1 to 6.  If they know how to import a picture, they can use window movie maker.  Have you ever used it before?

Hi Krista,

I have successfully used Windows Movie Maker with students in grade 1 to 6.  If they know how to import a picture, they can use window movie maker.  Have you ever used it before?