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It’s no secret that I have a lot to learn in terms of technology, so that when thinking constructively about what I will have to do to develop my own ICT skills, I became a bit overwhelmed. When looking at the outline of the areas to focus on in my development: strategies, tools, resources, & networks; I realized that I am going to have to focus mainly on strategies that are going to build my arsenal of tools & resources, and assist in becoming a part of networks that will keep me informed, included in the ever-changing face of ICT in the classroom, and form connections with my fellow educators. The above infographic is a simple guideline that I found at Education Infographics, and for someone like me, who doesn't really know where to start with ICT in the classroom, this is a good starting point.
One of the strategies that will be essential for me in developing my ICT skills, is actually setting aside time to research new Web 2.0 tools, practicing using them, and becoming comfortable with them, so that I can incorporate them in my lessons and teach students and colleagues how to utilize them as well. Another strategy that will be key for me is to actually follow through on using the networks that I become a part of, and employ these networks to further develop my connections with others who have the same interests as I do, and to learn how to share information via these networks, not just borrow information from them.
Unknowingly, I have actually become an expert in the use of one particular Web 2.0 tool that I started using prior to this course, and that is Pinterest. I actually have taught several of my friends how to get the most out of this tool (after I had two friends who forced a tutorial on me, as they were very aware of my reluctance to use technology). I have several boards that are just for teaching pins, library pins, and book pins, and there are members that I am following so that I get notified of their new pins so that I can peruse them and decide if I want to add them to my boards. Having this one tool that I feel so comfortable with is not enough, so I am trying all the time to see what other people are using and talking about and I am making an effort to explore these tools to build my confidence in using them. Some tools, I just don’t see the value in them, but I am always open to suggestions if anyone would like to leave some suggestions for really useful Web 2.0 tools!
So far, the ICT resources I rely on (that aren’t SD based, or online articles, etc.) are Pinterest, YouTube, TEDTalks, and podcasts. I would like to become more diverse in my resources, but I am not always sure of what I should be looking for, which is where I am open to suggestions again! I did find a very good link that has 28 TL resources that cover online magazine resources to how to create your library webpage:
http://www.iasl-online.org/advocacy/resources/slresources.html
For networking, I have subscribed to LM_NET and receive daily emails from them, but I haven’t learned how to add anything of my own to the forum yet; and then the only other networking that I do is through conversations with fellow teachers and librarians. I searched for other networks and came across Ning, Diigo, and Teacherlingo, but I really have no idea where to begin with essential, and valuable, networking. I don’t know if I should become a part of several, a dozen, or more, networks? What’s a realistic number? How do I manage them all? Here is another area that I am open to suggestions and guidance, I’m trying not to become too overwhelmed, but am finding it exceedingly difficult.
Great post! Your infographic has a lot of good ideas, but so many that it can be overwhelming for sure. I think the best way to approach this is to pick one, maybe two skills/areas at a time to work on and develop in depth, and to leave the rest for later.
ReplyDeleteSo, I would build upon your success with pinterest, in visual curation, and expand upon it with a social bookmarking like Diigio or Delicious. These are similar to pinterest, but without the 'boards' and can be used to find, store, and share links.
Don't force yourself to know it all at once, focus your interests into something you can use today, and see how it goes. Keep using those podcasts and youtube to stay on top of your interests, keep sharing your pinterest expertise and gather a few more tools over this course, like blogging, and maybe twitter and you'll be in excellent shape.
You find the best infer graphics for your posts!!! I like this one as well and it reminds me how much we have to learn and know that we can't possibly master it all in one day, or month, or even a school year!. I personally like to try them all out. I think if you are serious about using one or two in your daily teaching practices that you should spend a couple of hours navigate through their pages to get yourself aquatinted with them. Once you start playing around with them its very easy to see similarities between many of them. Edmodo is Facebook for education, Twitter is a glorified status update just like Facebook provides the same option except with twitter you are limited to 140 characters. etc etc. I do not use all of social media I am a member of daily. I use Facebook, instagram, and twitter daily. I certainly don't post photos or status updates daily but I use them :)
ReplyDeleteI find lots of great library ideas on pinterest and several of the younger teachers in my school use it a lot too. This is a great web 2.0 tool that you are experienced with. I also use youtube in the library to share author talks and book trailers. There is a great Dave Pilkey one to create a flipbook that goes with his Ook and Glook series. The grade 4/5's love it! I have a teacher that uses youtube videos to share science content in the classroom. So I think you are well on your way to web 2.0 skills!
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