Some good ideas for using wikis within the classroom. I like the idea of doing a "scavenger hunt" and reporting back using a classroom wiki space. This would be more appropriate for the upper grades 4, 5, and 6th.
I have already seen this tool used in the classroom! Students skyped the teacher's friend from Japan to see the difference in day and night. What a great way to expose students to other cultures. New way to do pen pals or for students to meet their pen pals!
Could facebook be used in educational settings? I have seen teachers use facebook as a way for students to be creative in projects...making a facebook from the eyes of an influential historical figure. Not sure if facebook would be a good tool or not?
Another website about internet saftey. These were found on the York County website. During my practicum on Friday the students had a lesson on internet saftey and digital citizenship.
When students are using technology as a tool or a support for communicating with
others, they are in an active role rather than the passive role of recipient of
information transmitted by a teacher, textbook, or broadcast.
The teacher is no longer the center of attention as the dispenser of
information, but rather plays the role of facilitator, setting project goals and
providing guidelines and resources, moving from student to student or group to
group, providing suggestions and support for student activity
This was both interesting and helpful. All teacher especially teachers who believe technology should not be in the classroom should understand the benefits of technology. Motivation is one benefit that stuck out to me because it makes sense to use modern tools to help students accomplish more and want to learn.