Journal # 5 MS

Bull , Glem (2006, April). Collaboration in a Web 2.0 Environment. Learning and Leading with Technology, 33, Retrieved 03/04/09, from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=April_No_7_&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&ContentFileID=2642

The article was a very interesting read in many aspects. I am not sure if the word syndication is a word that many people associate with information but now when I read I shall remember just in case I am unsure what the author is talking about. We have come a long ways from the start of computers and the web. The web is amazing in the transformation that has taken place so fast. When we first started using the web we had to search for the information and now with the 2.0 the information can easily come to each user in the form of XML, RSS, and RDF. Using the web and the individual sites will have our students become more computer savvy along with incorporating the sites they visit into their class work. I was amazed to find out that two years ago 3 out of every 5 students use blogs. I can only imagine how many today use the blogs. Blogs are just one of the many tools students have at their fingertips today, they have Social bookmarking, Emails, Web based word processors that can be used anywhere. As time passes we can see a major change for our students and children that the web though at times very controversial is the way of the future and without understanding this technology the individual is at a huge disadvantage.

Question 1
How could the site RSS, Googledocs, Social Bookmarking, Blogs be useful in a high school science class?
Many times reports are needed or search is sought out in a science classroom, with today’s technology to obtain the answers or validate ones hypothesis can be as easily as a click of a button on the mouse. In researching if the student finds a good site and or if that site is a source they can save it as an RSS site and or social bookmark it so that their peers can see where they got the information. I love googledocs. The way students can interact and work together without being in the same room is outstanding and for small group papers and or presentation googledocs is a solid way to have everyone contribute.

Question 2
What are the benefits of having students use the above types of programs for teachers?
I think that if students are using the Googledocs, RSS, Social Bookmarking, and Blogs...etc…. that as a teacher it would be so easy to follow the logic of the individual student. I could easily just go to the website the students used in their research and see based on what they wrote and what the article stated how the student truly interpreted the article or site. As far as Googledocs this is truly beneficial in that if I assigned a group assignment and wanted to see feedback from peer to peer and who did what this would be a solid way to make sure that everyone student in a group was doing their part. I think as these programs evolve that we as teacher will benefit more and more as will the students.