Last week I did a lot of research on different types of web 2.0 technologies. As I explored each one, I found that I really had to view the tool with a critical eye. This is important because there are so many resources out there, but teachers must decide on which tools can appropriately be used in their classroom. For instance, I found many tools that were really cool - I was astounded by what they could do, however, realistically, they would not be appropriate for my elementary learners. Again, it comes back to using technology to just say it was used, or using technology for the purpose of enhancing the educational experience.
As I reflected on the topic of this blog, I decided to do a little more research into the area of reflective practice and teaching. I found several interesting sites that described the benefits reflective teaching practices can have on positive educational change, however, I wondered how this could be tied into using web 2.0 technology. I came across a blog written by Michele Martin, a Philadelphia local consultant who works with individuals and companies to construct learning and development systems. She has written a series of blogs about reflective practice. This specific blog entry discusses several important elements for reflection, but the three that stuck out most for me were time, structure, and practice. Taking the time to think about experiences and what has been learned and can be done differently is most important. Michele describes how blogs can be important tools for reflection because they provide structure for reflection. I have definitely found that this blog allows me to pull my ideas together. She references the blog of Joe McCarthy who plays on the book the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and writes about the Eight Blogging Habits of Highly Effective People. Finally, she states that people simply have to try it out and start blogging! It is interesting to think of the amount of people who currently have blogs and use them to reflect each day or week. I wonder if one day people will be expecting a presidential blog (written by the president - not an office clerk) for a daily update of our country?
I also found myself wondering how I can use reflective thinking more in my teaching. I came across a website that summarizes how teachers can facilitate reflective thinking in the classroom. As I develop my own reflective practice, I would like to see my students develop these skills as well.
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3 comments:
Susan,
I had taken a different angle in responding to our blog #2 assignment and really took a liking to your perspective on the assignment- reflecting on reflecting!
After browsing the blog entry by Michele Martin, I would have also focused on time and practice. Reflection takes time; and in a classroom we hardly have enough time to complete main objectives, let alone to reflect through the day. Once I am done the work day, there are times my head is still spinning and I don't even know where to begin reflection. Setting aside time at the end of a lesson or day to reflect will slowly turn into a daily practice. Eventually after enough practice, our reflection process will become a powerful tool in our instruction as well as a therapeutic exercise for our inner self.
I think we're closer to the Presidential blog that we think. They just announced on FOX tonight that Obama is delivering his presidential addresses (weekly) via YouTube....beginning next week! A thought: It's one thing to blog and reflect on practice. It's another to actually read other people's blogs, respond with a meaningful post, extend their ideas, and learn from that. This adds a whole other dimension to blogging.
Are reflective practices new to teaching and learning? From my personal view, is seems as though there may be a greater importance to documenting and sharing our reflections with a greater community of learners. This where I see the strength of the blog and the read/write web. Our ideas and reflections can now be published for anyone to analyze.
Also, your idea about a presidential blog is interesting. I wonder how the blog would handle the volume of comments?
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