The 2.0 Concept

Task #5  - The idea or concept of School 2.0, is perhaps the encapsulation of all that is the essence of marrying technology and education. As many well know, by now, if you were not born by the year 2000, your knowledge on technology will be well over run by a 10 year. The 10 year who has the cell phone, IPod,
IPad, computer, Wii or X-game or both, and oh did I mention, her or his own blogging page or site and probably can teach you how to use a smart board.
So School 2.0 is the very tool (s) that will be the bases that educatorrs can or will have to equip themselves with just to maintain the ability to enter the classroom with the multitasker of the 21st century - today's student!
I enjoyed exploring two very good 2.0 free sites. One was Schmoop - love the array of resources offered to teachers. Secondly, Classmaker was very useful as well - enjoyed this resource, and I kmow I will be using that website ofter! The Tech and Learning has a great video library to see views of how others are integrating technology into the classroom.
There is so much to learn....I could spent hours in front the computer....no wonder our seat bottoms to our chairs have gotten wider.
But seriously, there is a wide array of tools (free) available to teachers and I am convinced more and more, if education is to survive- the traditional classroom  - desk, chalk board, globe...is nearly gone. The new 21st century classroom is the gateway to new innovative technology that will launch creative critcal thinkers into becoming our driving force of the future.

Blogging - What is the purpose?

OK I admit, I was not raised to sit in front of a computer. So to have this strange one way conversation with this blank screen is very different - perhaps a bit uncomfortable. It's much like leaving a typed text message on an answering machine, at which one of you out there will see some day. I guess in sort's it is also much like leaving a hand print out there in cyberspace. And the reader of this text will be the mirror image or counterpoint of my hand print in cyberspace, at the which the point of this message is received.
Yeah, OK... well enough of my ramblings!
On to Task # 4 - Why is commenting on a blog important?
Blogging and commenting on blogs creates a sense of community and interaction among readers. Speaking of reading, talk about improving your reading skills, learning new vocabulary and gaging at just how well of a speller you really are!  I wonder, just how many times the average Blogger hits that Spell Checker key?! Seriously though, there are many great Blogging networks, some for educators, schools and clubs students, parents and administrators just to mention a few in the education realm. These blogs bring together the masses by being able to share ideas, pictures, links and so forth. It certainly narrows down this vast wide open cyberspace, we all tend to be swimming. So besides improving on personal and professional skills in typing, recording ones thoughts and more importantly communication a complete thought and not just a ramble, this blogging thang perhaps has a higher purpose.
The purpose of merely allowing me to share - to communicate a thought - a point to reason.
Two other points for reading comments posted to blogs are that you might be surprised at just what you might find. For example, this is a global sense to blogging, because much like the purpose of meeting new people, a blogger can find that folks from all sorts of places and backgrounds may have a different perspective or view about a certain subject or idea, concerning your blog. Having a global conversation does exactly what the Internet is suppose to do, break down barriers - advance the human connection. And lastly, blogging and commenting on blogs can and will be the fuel that sparks the magic of literacy.
Sure there is the Nook, Kindle and Podcast, Facebook and SKYPE and the many uses of our cell phones, but nothing is quiet like reading the words of how someone reaction to an idea or shares a story or see a picture or video. Words you know are sharper than a two edged sword! Ahhhh, How I miss those Defense Information School days...That particular phase was ingrained in us as students there!
So here's to learning to blog and commenting on blogs. Here's to learning to communicate better!

Of the 23 things Project...

I set off on an adventure. An adventure by which 23 things are asked of me. To do, see and explore, of these, there is no better place to start than at the beginning.
Task 1 - Lifelong Learners. I realize I have some not so attractive habits, like procrastination. I see as an older non transitional student, the road of lifelong learning is no stranger to me. So on with my journey!
Task 2 - Setting up a Blog. I must say, this is a first for me. Not that it only dates me, but gives a peek into another weakness...a lack to keeping up with technology. Ah, but I will get there -  it is called Baby Steps!
Task 3 - Register the blog. And just as luck would have it - we are now going live! Imagine that, I have a blog...who would of known - certainly not me?! But here it is - my treasure chest of ramps and raves, wondering thoughts and interesting ideas for where I am going...this journey, this adventure of 23 things!
Do stay tuned as I move along on this interesting journey of me. Three down, Twenty more to go!