I’m A Teacher, and I Want To Learn

If someone has already started a conversation on a teacher group of collaborators similar to the following suggestion, I missed it, and I apologize for the repetition. I’d like to join your group if it exists. If such a group does not exist, here are some observations and an idea.

Strangely, I’ve had some familiar experiences here on Classroom 2.0 as a new online social network member. These online experiences are a lot like the experiences I’ve had while attending other large gatherings with people I don’t know. Since joining Classroom 2.0 I’ve been:

1. Looking for someone I know to talk to. Finding someone I know at any social gathering is a sure fire way to not meet anyone new. I’ve found no familiar faces here; I’ve not met anyone new to really talk to either, go figure. So I’ve been…

2. Listening for conversations to join. I read someone else’s conversation and try to join that one. I usually feel like the square peg trying to fit into the round hole in these situations. On other blogs dedicated to education which I read, and in Classroom 2.0 to a certain extent, there is a fair amount of, “What do you think of the new_version3_of_whatever_it_is.com?” Usually I’ve neither used nor heard of the old_version2_of _whatever_it_is.com, so I’m not fitting in to these conversations. In fact, I may have felt more comfortable in seventh grade trying to start a conversation with a member of the opposite sex. I’m figuring that small talk about American Idol’s Sanjaya probably won’t work here either. Consequently, I am now…

3. Seeking to learn from other teachers. I’m a teacher, and I want to learn about increasing and changing my students’ learning through technology. In order to do this classroom teachers really need to engage in some meaningful conversations that include the successes, trials, concerns, realities, problems, and time constraints of teachers using Web 2.0 tools. Honestly, my head is about to explode with more “new stuff” that I feel I should try to use as an instructional tool; I can hardly think of trying one more new thing. I would like to participate in an active network dedicated to best practices in instruction and student learning through the use of technology. I’m hoping Classroom 2.0 becomes that network; I hope some other members feel the same way.

So far in Classroom 2.0 I’ve done steps 1 and 2 without much success. So that means it is time to venture into number 3.

So here we go.

I am a high school social studies teacher; I have been teaching for 35 years, and I’m not retiring this year. With all the new web tools changing teaching and learning, this job is way too interesting. I’m not a technology expert, but I’ve been using it in my classes for quite a while. Sometimes I’m pretty successful, and sometimes I’m not quite satisfied, and sometimes I fail to accomplish what I set out to do. I’d love to exchange ideas with others who teach and are using the new tools of the trade. I enjoy reading about the new “next thing,” but I really want to talk about the tools that I use, and I want to hear about what other teachers are doing with them. I can’t experiment with all the new stuff, but I want to engage students with the collaborative, web 2.0 tools, and I want to hear about the new ones that other teachers are using. I’ve been using Google docs, wikis, message boards, and I’m starting to use blogs. I have a lot of questions and some concerns.

I’ll share with you a successful message board project I’ve done in my Current Events and Issues class. I used the message board to have my students communicate with a former student of mine who was stationed in Baqubah, Iraq for a year. The class also participated in a video conference with the soldier for an hour from my classroom. It was an amazing experience for the students and for me on many levels. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a very powerful learning experience. I’ll go into more detail if anyone is interested. I’d love to hear what others are doing.

As classroom teachers we are our own best resources, let’s use one another. If we’re really lucky some of the tech people in Classroom 2.0 will share how we can do these things even better than we have been. So if anyone wants to engage in this conversation, let’s start a meaningful one about classroom practices, tools, learning, problems, successes and failures. Can we create a group in Classroom 2.0 to do this? I’m willing to give it a try.

And…

If you don’t want to join that conversation, then how about this one: What do you think Anna Nicole’s daughter’s DNA test will reveal about her biological father? Just kidding; that’s a bad conversation starter I’ve been working on. I’ll keep working on it.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Sorry this was so long.

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Comment by Elizabeth Davis on April 9, 2007 at 6:56pm: Hi Dave,
1. I don't know you, but I'm happy to talk to you!

2. I'm a technology integration specialist, but not a "techie" exactly. I don't know what version of anything I'm using, but I know what tools I like and I'm excited about exploring new tools. I agree that we shouldn't use a tool just because it is new, it needs to fit with the objectives of the curriculum and work to improve student learning. I feel like one of my jobs is to sift through lots of tools and find the ones I like best to share with my teachers. I have to be really careful not to go to fast.

I totally don't get the Sanjaya factor! What is up with that? How far do you think he will go?

3. I think it is amazing that after 35 years in the classroom you are still excited about new technologies. It sounds like you are doing a lot of great things with your students. I am trying to get my teachers (K-8) to get into Web 2.0 and we've gotten started but it is slow. I've gotten a lot of resistance around the "public" nature of 2.0. I see that as one of Web 2.0's best features, an authentic audience. But teachers are afraid of parents and how they will use the public forum to compare them to others or compare students in the class (sad I know). Our most exciting project is a book review podcasting project that we are working on school wide.

Do you think these new tools are easier to implement in a high school than at the elementary level? It seems like you can really exploit the intellectual potential of Web 2.0 at the high school level that is harder to do with younger kids. Also, the parent factor is not as intimidating or overbearing.

-Elizabeth

Comment by Durff on April 9, 2007 at 7:15pm: I'm intrigued....

Comment by Steve Hargadon on April 9, 2007 at 7:32pm: I loved this post. Thank you, Dave.

Of course, I started Classroom 2.0 for the very reasons of thinking it could become a place for teachers to share their experiences and successes using the read/write/collaborative web technologies in the classroom. I also felt like there needed to be a more formal place to put more "conclusive," less "conversational" material (like proven lesson plans), so I created the www.Classroom20.net wiki to go along with the site. Like a parent, I know I can exert some influence once the child is born, but I've chosen to see who responds and how, and not wanting this to be "Steve Hargadon's" site.

I've also been very hopeful that this site would serve as an entry point for educators who are maybe a little intimidated by the whole concept, want to learn more, but want to be able to do so at their own pace...

Of course, we have the constraints of the "tool" (Ning), but I am very interested in what we could do to improve the conversation and meet more needs. One idea I had was for a weekly Skypecast that would be recorded and would focus on one tool at a time. I am planning on starting a Classroom 2.0 podcast, expanding my ed tech interview series (http://edtechlive.wikispaces.com/recordings+list) to include practical interviews on Classroom 2.0.

Other thoughts?

Comment by Andrew Pass on April 9, 2007 at 9:14pm: Dave, Your post was great. Thanks for sharing. Here's a question for you: If you could pick one web 2.0 tool that you think your students would be most enthusiastic about using for real learning what tool would you pick? Why would you pick this tool? What would you do with this tool?

I'm particularly interested in the cell phone, particularly with its ability to take pictures. In a current events class, in addition to having our students study the major events of the world, perhaps we could have them fill the role of reporter and determine the major events of the school. Then challenge students to see if they could have come up with different events. Why did they pick the events they chose? What can we learn from their choice of events about world news? As thoughtful people, do we have a responsibility to raise thoughtful questions to challenge reporting styles?

Just some thoughts.

Comment by Jeremiah Patterson on April 9, 2007 at 9:18pm: I will contribute only by nudging you toward Chris Lehman's school in Phila -- the Science Leadership Academy -- featured in Edutopia of late. I ran into Chris at a "provacateur" day. He was hired to come to my district and shake things up. For others, that's what he did. Personally, rather than feeling shaken up or provoked I felt like this is possible. Check him out -- Practical Theory is his blog. Perhaps you can communicate with some teachers out there? jp

Comment by Jeff VanDrimmelen on April 10, 2007 at 4:24am: Dave... that was an awesome post. So many thoughts... I will just pick one. You said you you were a little overwhelmed with all the new technologies (I think the term you used was your head was about to explode). I think that in itself is a topic worth discussion. How do we know what to try? One person says blogs are the way to go, another wiki's. Every person has their own little things they love. For me it is a matter of trying to figure out what works.

Thanks for sharing. I look forward to reading more of what you are doing and learning from YOU!

Comment by Daniel Lake on April 10, 2007 at 5:26am: Dave, your post resonated! I have been an educator for a bit longer than you and agree that it is an exciting time to be a learner first and then a teacher! I do find that the emphasis on the new TOOLS of learning can overwhelm us as we try to figure them out.

I am in the enviable position of being able to learn new things to teach teachers how to apply them. This is an optimum situation for a person who loves learning.. and I suspect you are one of those!

I have worked for 7 years with a Learning Management System using it to support thousands of kids in dozens of school districts. It is challenging to figure out how to merge the tools within a protected system with the new tools that are mostly outside such a system and not integrated into a "classroom" paradigm. It is one of our tasks, I think, to invent a system that both opens and protects at the same time. You are most likely aware of Warlick's Blogmeister, or November's Learning Communities tand understand what is being attempted. Perhaps even the Education Island in Second Life could be a harbinger of such a system to come?

Meanwhile, I am seeing what Social Studies teachers have done in my LMS and am amazed at how they are changing the classroom with a clear understanding of the tools available, and how they are NOT focusing on the tools, but focusing on the learning tasks.

I am watching for blogs that are not about blogging, but that are used to extend learning in the classroom. Same for Wikis and podcasting.

I am also watching a new generation of software that accomplishes learning tasks in new ways. Take reading for example... FastForWord and Kidbiz3000 are new and exciting in their applications of technology.

I am excited about web-based tools like picnik.com and GoogleDocs, which will change the way we deliver TOOLS to accomplish tasks.

After 35 or 39 years.. there is so much to be excited about. Retire? Why? The fun is in the work .. in the learning!

Dan

Comment by Elizabeth Davis on April 10, 2007 at 9:15pm: Hey Dave,
DNA shows Larry Birkhead is baby's dad

Thought you might like to know.

Comment by Dave Ehrhart on April 11, 2007 at 2:26am: What a shocker, who would have thought that?

Comment by Kelly Christopherson on April 12, 2007 at 4:26pm: Dave,

I've gone through the comments and will echo what others have said. I am an administrator now but I also teach middle years social and taught grade 7 (in Sask, Canada) for 7 years. I'm always interested in what others are doing. I'm doing a wiki project right now looking at Ancient Rome and going to the Renaissance. I am also bloggind with this class. My other class is doing different things with videos and podcasting. I'd be willing to share, discuss, comment, cry-on-someone's-shoulder or lend a shoulder. I see you as an inspiration to all teachers! btw, I collect "frogs" and I love your pic!