Journal # 9. WEB 2.0 Today's Technologies, Tomorrow's Learning.

Groff, J, & Haas, J. (2008). Wed 2.0 today's technologies, tomorrow's learning.. Learning and Leading with Technology., Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=September_October_No_2_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4107&ContentID+21954&DirectListComboLnd=D


This article talks about different social network and video games on line that can be used to help students learn. The author is tries to make a point that today's technologies such as video games and Facebook should be cultivated by teachers and seen as helpful tools in designing new ways to teach students and make learning more fun for them. For example Ning and Facebook can easily be used among students and teachers to share ideas and do collaborative school projects.
Good video games also such as the digital game Ayiti: The cost of life, simulates real life and encourages players to make critical and important decisions about issues they face in daily life. It also prepares them for the future and makes it easier for them to envision tasks and responsibilities that they will face in their lives.
The author also talks about some of the limitations that schools might encounter in accessing technology and making it available to students and other issues like uncertainties that teachers might be feeling in a new learning environment that they are just tapping. The author is fast to remedy these problems by saying that technologies are making their ways to schools in more affordable ways and that teachers should take advantage of their uncertainties and turn it into positive experiences by working with their students collaboratively to solve problems and figure out solutions to issues that come up when learning new technologies.

Does introducing technology into the classroom make it harder for teachers to keep the discipline going and refrain students from getting too excited and rowdy?
It will probably be hard at the beginning for the students to contain their emotions about introducing fun technology into the classroom. It will be very important for the teacher set up rules and enforce them right from the beginning.

If I had my pick, which one technology tool would I choose in my classroom?
Since I'm going to be teaching K-6 grades, I would love to have an interactive white board in my classroom. Engaging students in fun learning and active listening should be made easier with such a tool. I also would love to have my students go on virtual field trips and the Interactive white board would make that possible.