Reflections from an online class

This is my assignment for posting to an educational blog. I chose to write about my thoughts, ideas, and issues presented and discussed in this course, “Online Communication and Collaboration in the Classroom”.

My reason for enrolling in the PBS TeacherLine course, “Communicate & Collaborate Online” was to earn the two graduate credits this course would provide. The two credits would complete my MA + 10 – a horizontal move for me across the pay scale.
With each session’s required readings and discussion, my knowledge of Web 2.0 tools and the impact those tools have in an educational setting, grew immensely. Before taking this class, I was unaware of the online collaboration already going on throughout the world. Starting with the first session, I learned the components that make up a successful online learning community. Online learning communities provide opportunities for students to connect and collaborate, no matter where they are or when they’re online. The implications of an online learning community can knock out boundaries like never before.
I became excited reading about online writing tools; Google Docs, Zoho Writer, Writeboard, and ThinkFree Online; all collaborative writing tools I read about in session two of our class. Tools such as these allow students to type on a word document and then upload that document. Other students and teachers within the same learning community can read and write on the same document via the internet. I thought to myself, “this is truly revolutionary! This is the path k-12 schools need to take in order to cut down on paper.” Of course there are greater implications for online writing tools, but the paper issue was my first thought.
Session three required us to look at online collaborative projects already in existence. Once again, my eyes were opened to what was taking place in this realm of education. I came upon, “Flat Classrooms”. The concept of “Flat Classrooms” is based on the book, The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman. I am now inspired to read this book! Flat is a term used to mean the breakdown of classroom walls due to global online connection. Session three also presented me the concept of online bookmarking such as Delicious. So that’s what they mean! I’ve seen Delicious used in relation to the internet but was not aware what the site meant.
The required project for this class involved the integration of at least one Web 2.0 tool into your classroom curriculum. My project seems like a small step in the use of a Web 2.0 tool when one compares it to other established projects out there. Nevertheless, one needs to start somewhere to get on track with using Web 2.0 tools and their implications in today’s world.
In conclusion, I’m glad to be involved in this PBS TeacherLine course. Not only will I soon move a step across the pay scale, I will be more knowledgeable about Web 2.0 tools and the educational potential in using these tools.