Post # 6

I think that the use of Web 2.0 Technologies in a K-12 classroom would be very beneficial. I think that the web provides a lot of unique information that can be accessed with your fingertips. By using web technologies, I believe that students will only benefit from it by finding out more information about what they are studying and by seeing many different vantage points that are out there on that subject. Web 2.0 provides a better learning experience, I believe, because there are more media's available to learn the material from. It can be presented not only in text format, but also in videos, pictures, and animations. I would use Web 2.0 in my classroom because I think that there is so much to be gained by using it. The way that I would use it is by having my students look up different things on the subject we are studying. I would teach them which websites are appropriate for research, and what sites should be avoided. I would also use sites such as YouTube to give them videos to watch on something we are studying. Also, I could have them make websites such as Wikis for class projects to help teach the class about a topic. I would also incorporate a blog site for class discussions. I think that Web 2.0 would help my students better themselves in ways they didn't know were possible. 

When it comes to Wikipedia, however, I would be very cautious in using this as a learning resource. Because of the nature of the website, where anybody can edit the material, I think I would be wary of using this as a source for information, especially for a research paper. Some of the information on there could be false, and I would not want my students to be led astray by something that was posted on Wikipedia. I think the idea behind Wikipedia is good in general, but using it for formal work is probably not something that I would encourage. I think that if you are looking at Wikipedia for fun that you could gain more knowledge, but you could never be sure that everything you read is true. 

Some new skills that I have acquired within the last week that I think would be beneficial to my educational career are learning about Wikis. I think that these webpages are an awesome idea that I could use for my students to create and share things that they learn about with each other. I think that Wikis would enable my students to have a more connected learning experience with each other. Another new skill that I have learned this month is Inspiration. I think that this will help in my career because I could organize and present information in a creative manner. These skills will help my education career because I will be technologically savvy in many different areas and this will help me to teach to all types of learning styles. Technology will help me become a great teacher.