web2.0_pedagogy_PSU

I think Voice thread alone, is a great tool we can bring into the classroom.

What I was thnking about while listening to the YouTube video and this Voice Thread, is that it sounds like so many educators are TEACHING the technology, rather than USEING it. It sounds like a lot of educators aren't confortable enough with the programs or software to be able to use it effectivly in their teaching practice. I think if we are allowing our students to use say power point for their presentation of a report, than the actually creation of slide shoudl come last. The program use should be used as a supplement.

I am interested with what this group is saying about 1) students as co-creators, 2) expanding the four walls of the classroom, 3) the idea of the collective, and 4) encouraging collaboration.

I am excited to experience a form of communication and reading that uses various senses: hearing the voice of the speaker is powerful. This could be linked with specific (non-text) based images as well. Having voices from around the world, and of different ages and experience levels, participate in an asynchronous discussion is fascinating. I imagine this in-between time/space is a difficult time for educators. The video suggests we have moved from the industrial age to the digital age / information age, but our schools haven't kept up. What does it mean to be in-between? Instead of worrying about rigid categories for our next "age" -- what can happen in a moment in history when we are not quite "here nor there"?

An example at http://voicethread.com/#u278186.b341016.i1806317begun by Kathleen Nelms. It continues in another image posted by Michelle Randall at http://voicethread.com/#u278186.b341311.i1808348

I am curious about the space between the "industrial age" and the "digital / information age" in our system of education. What happens as we imagine trying to change? The pros seem to be moments that are opening up during the regular public school day (even during NCLB and testing) that are allowing for new ideas. Charter schools were intended to be "hot beds of innovation" that could bring new ideas back to our public schools. Perhaps the charter school can reconfigure itself to exist as a program within the public school. A branch that can try out new technologies and ideas within a community of public school students and teachers. The benefits seem to be the possibility of a time to try out new ideas and experiment at the local level. I think the community model demonstrated in these social networking applications will be interesting to consider in developing school policy for the 21st century. To me, it seems misguided if the ideas for educational change in the 21st century comes from a team of "experts."

About the discussion in voice thread about teaching Microsoft Office programs, I agree with the statement in the voice thread. Teaching the programs should not be the goal. Besides, there are a lot of other alternative options that is free to use. Only teaching the commercial programs makes educators become like sales people for big corporation. Educators need to provide other options when, for example, ask students to turn in a paper using word processing program. Unfortunately, many schools don't provide the environment for using alternative programs. But fortunately, more and more educators are aware of this and are working on providing a free and open environment of software using. Web 2.0 technologies might serve as one of the alternative.

I agree with you about wanting to make the most of this first life. I do wonder if we can separate these lives, or if the distinctions will become academic.

I posted this image of Toni Morrision to add to our group collection that is to reside in this Google doc. I think this photograph is so beautiful. I was not able to add this image to my "posse" collection. I assume this is because it is part of a special exhibit. The exhibit is called The Black List Project.

For her family, this portrait might be a token of respect to the memory of her. At the same time, for the Egyption woman, it would be her other self prepared in advance for her future-death.

The Posse might not be a perfect model of a learning and teaching material in the Web 2.0 pedagogy. However, by using a specific tool related to the Web 2.0, we can find what potentials this tool have, and further reconsider what educational materials based on the Web 2.0 pedagogy should look like.

Lindsay, my first publication was about chairs. I have been collecting images of chairs in various context for almost 20 years. Keifer-Boyd, K. (1992). Deep-seated culture: Understanding sitting. Journal of Social Theory in Art Education, 12, 73-99.

Really that's Crazy. There is something about them that fascinates me. I had an assignment in a 3D art class to make a chair. I'll post a picture of it. The only guideline was that our professor had to be supported by it. Mine was Spaghetti and Meatballs!

I revisit chairs in my first chapter on mindsets in Engaging Visual Culture, my co-authored book with Jane Maitland-Gholon published by Davis Publications in 2007. One time I had 600 freshman engineer students draw chairs and then 300 out one side of the auditorium and 300 out the other side to join together by organizing themselves according to their chair drawings.There was more to it but that's how I started with a presentation on creativity.

My comment on the pros and cons of virtual education and technology integration in schools is posted on Pros and Cons of Various Virtual Worlds thread on Global Citizenship in a Virtual World blog.