Week 1 answers

1. The short answer would be how to create a twitter account and create a blog, but that is an oversimplification of what actually occurred. When considered alone, both actions (setting up the accounts) is a process not much different from setting up online access for a bank account or anything else. What follows is the learning that occurrs each time you login and use it as part of the other communication tools you already have. This is not a one time deal but something that changes with each additional use.

2. My biggest question at this point is how do I use the emerging technologies without potentially isolating a portion of my students that may not have access to them? At the same time, if I only use technologies that everyone has access to, it most likely will be information regurgitation and not active learning. It is probably more aptly stated as a fear and not a question. I realize that no matter what I do, the learning environment is not a level playing field for all of the students, but each individual student needs an opportunity for success. This fear/question morphs into questions regarding the ability of our education system to conform to and/or provide this media.

3. Both twitter and blogs provide a way to extend discussion outside the classroom and track the discussion that takes place. Both are handy ways to track participation as well as thoughts, comments, data, etc. No longer does a project/lab/discussion have to end when the bell rings. Review at the beginning of the next meeting may not need to be as long if the discussion never ends and those involved have access to the recorded thoughts. It may also be a way for a student that may not readily vocalize thoughts or questions in a group to speak up without fear. However, my fear from question two lingers in this area.