Ch. 6 of Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts (pp. 85-100) The Social Web

How does this reading impact your thinking about technology’s role in teaching and learning?

            As I read this chapter, I was surprised to know that Twitter is commonly used within the classroom setting. I learned that technology’s role in teaching and learning, such as Twitter and social bookmarking do benefit students. Prior to this reading, I related Twitter to Facebook. I have my own Facebook account and personally, I do not like Facebook—it is too addicting. Facebook gets in the way of doing things, especially homework. However, I do not have a Twitter account. My reasoning for not having a Twitter account is one, because I already have Facebook to keep in touch with the family and friends around the world. Two, it would be too time consuming and by that I mean too addicting. And three, it would get in the way of tasks that need to be completed. Now, after reading this chapter, I understand that Twitter does not have to be just about social networking with family and friends, but can engage one in resources.

            When reading about social bookmarking, I became even more familiar with it. Seeing that I have my own Delicious account, I believe I am able to grasp a better understanding on social bookmarking. Having my own Delicious account has been very beneficial for me. However, obtaining another social bookmarking page may get confusing because Diigo has different components than Delicious does.

What will you do differently as a future teacher as a direct result of this new thinking?
As a future teacher, I will try to incorporate Twitter into my classroom. However, I will incorporate it in with a twist. I will not allow my students to have their own account, seeing that I wish to be an educator at the first and second grade level, but I will allow my student’s parents or guardians to access Twitter. I will use Twitter as a resource tool for the parents by including what we did in class each day, what assignments are due, when spelling tests will be and multiple other things. As a future educator, I believe that communication with the parents is important so that way the teacher, student and parent(s) are on the same page.

      As for the social bookmarking, I will continue to use my Delicious account now. Although I will have an account, my students will not. I do not expect my students to properly engage in that because of their young age, nor do I expect them to be needing resources off the Internet for homework assignments. I will instead, use my Delicious account to access certain resources and then I will print them out and give them to my students.