Thing 2 – Thoughts about Web 2.0

My initial reaction to the Web 2.0 video was my jaw dropping and my eyes getting really big.  I felt like I didn’t catch everything and I wished the video would have played a little slower.  Then I realized that echoes my reaction to the internet and web capabilites in real life.  I wish it would slow down and let me digest what I see, hear, and do at my pace (so I don’t feel left in the dust).  Just like the video, I need to tell myself and know that is okay not to understand everything the first time.  The wonderful thing about technology is that it is always available for replay.  It might take 2 or 10 times to listen and practice and make mistakes before I get it right. 

Kids are very good at doing that.  They will play (Habit 7 1/2) and enjoy the learning process, whereas I am crunched for time and get impatient and frustrated if my own learning is not progressing smoothly.  I am excited about learning and passing it on.  We have 4 computers in my classroom this year for the students’ use.  We set rules for time and sharing and the kids have done enormously well with them.  They can do more than I give them credit for sometimes and, realizing that, I have given them more responsibility and exploration with their assignments.  I am seeing the ‘digital learner’ in all my students.  I am also encouraging my students to encourage their parents to learn along with their children.  In our little classroom, we can becom a network of learners!  I am super excited to be a part of the future~