It’s Not Just the “Read/Write” Web

http://www.weblogg-ed.com/

I was reading Will Richardson's blog and found this interesting. He discusses that fact that more and more teachers are using blogs and wikis than ever before. I know of at least 6 new ones. *smile* Then he goes into the question of "Through teaching them to use these tools to publish, are we also teaching them how to use these tools to continue the learning once that project is over?" This is a big problem in education. Self-evaluation and reflection is highly under-rated for our students, especially elementary age students, but yet as educators we are asked to self-evaluate often. He also asks "Can they connect with that audience not simply in the ways that books connect to readers (read but no write) but in the ways that allow them to engage and explore more deeply with an ongoing, growing community of learners? Isn’t that the real literacy here?" Ongoing and growing are the key words here. How often do we do great things in class but when you’re done, your done. This is something that I want to try to remember more in my own classroom this year. I want to give students time to self-reflect and give them more opportunities to continue their learning even if it has to be outside of the classroom. " It’s not just the Read/Write Web, is it? It’s more than that. (Someone already came to this conclusion a while back, I know, but I can’t dig it out right now.) It’s the Read/Write/Connect/Reflect Web as well." These few words have really made me think about how I do technology activities and the direction that I'd like to take things in the future of my classroom. Thanks Will!!

J