The ideas that I found most interesting or useful in the articles we read was using this technology to connect students from different ages or regions. Especially the projects mentioned that brought pre-service teachers and middle school students together to discuss books. I feel like it would be a great experience for both groups. The younger students would get to hear an older point of view and opinion of the book, and the teachers in training would gain some first-hand knowledge of how the students they will be teaching think and respond to the books. They would also get the chance to practice communicating their ideas to a younger group of people.
Unfortunately, this is a project that depends largely on the students involved. Middle school students can be particularly sensitive to people "talking down" to them, and the pre-service teachers would have to be careful to avoid alienating their collaborators.
Another use of the blogging technology in particular is the ability to post ideas and stories, and then to get feedback from a very wide ranging audience. Writing about possible events or activities in the media center can net some student reactions, allowing you to decide whether it sounds like it will be a successful activity. Student input seems like an element that should be a part of the decision making process for every media specialist and teacher, but it may be hard to come by. Parents would also have the chance to give their own feedback on the future plans for the media center.
1 comment:
I also liked the idea of connecting students with pre-service teachers. This would make it real for both groups and help out the teacher with feedback! A winner all the way around. It would take training though on the part of the pre-service teachers so that the students would find their comments helpful though. Better in this environment though than their first year of teaching!
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