The Plan

It's amazing how quickly teachers jump into "survival" mode. For me, it usually happens right after the first set of tests are administered: NJHSPA, Supera, IPT, my own diagnostic to determine how to adapt my teaching. Then there are new students and changes in schedules and then a vacation. That is when it happens, I lose my rhythm. It is always my goal to establish "The Plan" ahead of time. The advantage to these tools, in my instruction, is that almost all of the web 2.0 tools provide an online record: a file, a posting, a document, etc. Regardless of what happens to break the flow, these tools offer a space to keep student products (even if they are not completed). The other advantage is that these tools are an environment or space for engaging in the educational tasks. The user guides content. If there is an interruption in class meetings, the student simply returns to (or reviews) what he or she started. In contrast, Web 1.0 does not consider the participant's competency. The plan is to start slowly, provide students with the metatools for using the technology, and build on what they create. Students will also be exploring and developing their skills in evaluation of information resources through guided practice. Through the development of this digital portfolio I have come to realize that this is just the beginning of my own digital literacy. As a class, students and teacher will be embarking upon this journey in digital literacy.

• Step 1 - Class and individual student wikis
• Step 2 - Interact with wikis (design, student information, links)
• Step 3 - Build on wikis - engage in collaborative tasks, post student work, add links to information, improve on overall wiki environment
• Step 4 - Begin to use digital tools for short tasks (gcast, etherpad, phrasr, writing pad)
• Step 5 - Continue to explore additional Web 2.0 tools to use in class - add to wiki - Web 2.0 tools