Social bookmarking
Social bookmarking allows teachers and students to create, access and organize frequently used links in one central location that can be access from anywhere there is an Internet connection. Through a system of tagging, teachers can classify. Students sharing with each other could involve cooperative learning activities or they can simply have electronic conversations regarding school or play. Students can gain access to sites that peers have selected and shared with them. This technology tool might assist in the creativity of students as they are able to feel comfortable about sharing thoughts and ideals without physical presence of peer pressure. This can be an exciting and experiential approach to class projects they can even connect with classes in other school districts or even in other countries.
I read an interesting concept created by a science teacher who assigned an element to his students. Each student writes in the voice of the element for example, hydrogen and other students that mix well with that particular element with post comments. Alternatively, those elements “students” that can create a combustible join in as well. There are so many implications for teaching, learning and reaching all students through social bookmarking. Teachers can address the diverse learning needs of students through this medium.
In terms of teacher-parent relationships there are indications for accountability and improved communications. Parents can view from any computer what’s going in their child’s class with regards to instruction. Parents also get a sense that teachers are closely monitoring student’s access and that safeguards are in place.
Trends & Issues
The definitions in chapter of Trends & Issues are consistent with what I have I thought about this area. Quite honestly, I am not pursuing a degree or profession in Instructional Technology but rather, I am interested in the learning, application of new or existing technologies. It was interesting how some of the terms and corresponding definitions seem to have evolved over the years. There is a change in the complexities of technology during the 20th century. We are seeing the use of technology from the early theories (which instructional technology derived) to involve more instruction as our culture and society changes. Schools exist to facilitate learning and this can be accomplished through instructional design and technology.
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4 comments:
Hi Pat, Ithought your point about social bookmarking being a way for students to express their creativity in a non-threatening environment void of peer-pressure was a very interesting benefit of social bookmarking that I had not thought of. I would be very interested in talking with students about social bookmarking and if they did view it as a way to be creative without pressure. I wonder how many students use social bookmarking??? Amy
Pat, your example of assigning students an element and having them find another element that they "mix" well with is a very creative way of putting creativity into assigning research projects. Thanks for sharing that!
Hi Pat,
As Amy S. mentioned, you say that social bookmarking is a really useful way to allow students to express creativity in a non-threatening environment void of peer-pressure. I am a huge advocate for individual needs being met for students, despite the challenges. However, I am curious about how this would work. Would students create social bookmarks that would express their individual interests, or would this be a thematic approach where they would create a list on a more general topic and the bookmarks would be about the various areas of that topic?
I really find your idea about the bookmarks being a useful tool for parents to stay informed about the students' activities and interests is very good. It answers my big concern, as a parent and teacher, about the overall safety of any of these technological tools. It's not the only solution, but it does possess some true potential.
Thanks for the great ideas.
Chris S.
One of the parts of your reflection that I really liked was when you said that parents could view what is going in their child’s class with regards to instruction. I never really thought about it that way. I think it would be great if the teacher posted some websites that might be useful in the completion of homework or a project. The students could then go there for help, but the parents could go their as well to see what their students are learning about. They could even use the information to learn a little themselves and have a conversation about what the student might be learning about in school. Your reflection had a lot of good information in it. Thanks for the insightful post.
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