Assignments

In this module, you will have the opportunity to explore many Web 2.0 applications that are available in your county and you will learn how to effectively integrate Web 2.0 into your classroom instruction. Effective integration of technology in the classroom requires that teachers not only use technology to replace pencil-paper activities, but to move learning to a level of student engagement that was not possible before. One of the goals of this grant is to help you learn to integrate Web 2.0 effectively.

As you go through this module, please keep your PBL unit in mind. Do not hesistate to ask questions to your regional coach or post them to the Q&A Brainstorm Page.

Objectives:

 * Understand your county's Acceptable Use Policy
 * Identify accessible Web 2.0 sites and the protocol to unblock instructionally beneficial sites
 * Identify effective Web 2.0 integration strategies and develop a plan for your PBL unit

Assignments:
1. If you have not already done so, now is the time to familiarize yourself with your county policies (including the acceptable use policy) and requirements for using Web 2.0 tools in your classroom. Your technology resource teacher or administrator might be able to direct you to the appropriate office where you can obtain your county's AUP. Remember that you may want to pursue this investigation in collaboration with other learning team members in your county. The following types of questions may help you to identify what is allowable in your school system (keep in mind, written acceptable use policies might not be current enough to include Web 2.0 technologies, so a conversation with a trustworthy authority may be necessary: ﻿﻿Why are they finding this information? There needs to be some immediate reason why they've done this research.  2. In addition to providing a good overview of the Read/Write Web (Web 2.0), the following article has numerous useful links. It is a lot of information, but for this course, you will want to familiarize yourself with the “Examples of the Read/Write Web in Action” section in order to get a better understanding of what’s out there. Focus on the last section, “Implications of the Read/Write Web for Education,” as it can help with figuring out how to effectively use a Web 2.0 technologies in instruction to enhance students learning. @http://www.wtvi.com/teks/04_05_articles/read-write-web.html 3. Select three tools you would like to integrate into your classroom to enhance student learning. Double check with your county to be sure these sites are approved for student use. If you need a refresher on the tools we looked at during the Academy, you can re-do the "jog-the-web" activity that Chris Voelker created for our Summer Academy. Site: @http://www.jogtheweb.com/. Search for her jog using keyword: MSPP. (Tip: If possible, log into a school computer as a student for this activity.) Please remember that just because a site is not blocked, it does not mean that it is approved. New sites are added every day to the internet, and there may be a lag between a site being created and it being reviewed and blocked by the county. If you prefer, you can also refer to the attached spreadsheet which will show which sites are blocked and unblocked in most counties. If your county is not listed, the information was not available at the time the spreadsheet was made. Remember, approvals may have changed since this spreadsheet was created.
 * Is any training required of teachers before they can use specific Web 2.0 tools?
 * Is parent permission required before students can participate in using Web 2.0 tools?
 * Are there sites that are approved for teacher use but not for students?
 * Are student permitted to set up accounts on these sites? Are student email accounts permitted?
 * Do teachers need to review and provide approval prior to a student posting on the Internet? What privacy settings are required on blogs, wikis and other Web 2.0 sites?
 * What role do parents play (are they allowed to log in? Contribute to content of a classroom site?)
 * What is the protocol for student identification in posts (for example- initials only, first name last inital, etc.)?
 * If a site is blocked, who should you contact to submit a request to unblock an instructional site?



4. Please take a few minutes to read the first of the following articles, both suggest tips for how to use Web 2.0 technologies to enhance student learning in today's classroom. The second article is a comprehensive resource that provides excellent ideas on web 2.0 integration in your classroom. Due to its length, it is an optional read.
 * @http://www.suite101.com/content/7-technology-tips-for-the-classroom-a120865 (required read)
 * [[file:edutopia-back-to-school-guide-2010.pdf]] ( optional read)

5. Take a few minutes to view the following video, which highlights key points of Web 2.0 integration. media type="custom" key="6824631" @http://www.classroom20.com/video/web-20-engaged-learning?commentId=649749%3AComment%3A354931&xg_source=activity

6. **Discussion Forum Assignment:(Due mid-night Sunday)** Select a Web 2.0 site that will enhance the implementation of your STEM unit. In your initial post, paste the link to that site with a description of how you plan to integrate this tool into your instruction. Include a description of how your students will use this tool and at least two ways that the use of this tool will enrich student learning in your lesson(s). Also, post one concern, issue or question you have regarding your Web 2.0 implementation. * Remember, the purpose of Web 2.0 is to take learning to a new level- through collaboration. It is not intended to simply replace a "paper and pencil" activity with one completed using a computer. Please post your summary on your region's discussion board. Please use the following format for the subject line of this initial post: **Name_Web2.0tool**(ie. Airing_Wordle)

[|Region 1] [|Region 2] <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Region 3] <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Region 4] <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Region 5]

7. **Reply Assignment:(Due mid-night Wednesday)** After reading your classmates' posts, please post a minimum of one reply. In your reply, discuss one additional way that the integration of their chosen Web 2.0 tool can enhance learning in their classroom. Also in your reply, offer a suggestion that will help them solve or overcome their concern, issue or question. Be sure to support your reply with course material and readings. Providing comments such as "I agree," or "Good job," are a great way to start, but do not constitute a substantive post on their own. Please elaborate and provide useful feedback to at least one team member' s post. Your goal is to help them consider new ideas regarding classroom integration. Your post can be a suggestion on improvement, a potential obstacle, your experience, or a thoughtful reflection.