Conference Infobytes Wikis + Web 2.0 = Wow!
By Patti Harju C
hildren learn best when they are engaged, making deci- sions and critically thinking. Technology integration is the key to engaging students, heightening problem-solving skills, enhancing creativity and fostering higher order thinking skills. Wikis and Web 2.0 tools motivate and engage students and the best part is that they are FREE! My 2nd graders write blog posts, edit wiki pages, create digital illustrations, design webpages using Glogster, record themselves reading, publish digital stories using iMovie and Voicethread, take math tests online, make movies, create music, enjoy Skype chats with children in Florida, Iowa, Poland and New Zealand, and so much more.
When students are editing a wiki page or posting on a blog, they are Publishing! They are creating content not just for their teacher to read, but also for an authentic audience. Classmates, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, other classes, other countries and the world are their audience. Using wikis and blogs allows students to go beyond the walls of the classroom, even beyond the borders of their
country. Communicating and learning using Web 2.0 tools has limitless potential and infinite benefits.
Students using Wikis and Web 2.0 tools in the classroom cannot wait to get to school. They want to work on projects and they have fun doing it. They are engaged and excited about learning. The learning does not stop with the school day. The students are happy to stay afterschool to participate in an international Skype call. These students are going online at home, writing blog posts, commenting on the posts of classmates and watching the videos made at school over and over (and reinforcing the content in those videos!)
In my session at MACUL 2011 I will share my students’ wiki, blogs, glogs, Voicethreads, videos and more. I will discuss our experiences with collaborative projects and our Skype calls with Poland, New Zealand and Peru. Stop by to see how these digital natives are engaged and learning.
Patti Harju teaches 2nd grade at St. Stephen School in Grand Rapids. She is her building’s Technology Leader, a Discovery Education DEN Star, and has presented at several tech conferences including MACUL 2009 and MACUL 2010. You will find her class wiki at
http://harju.wikispaces.com.
Increase Learning for
Struggling Students By Lorinda Tait, SIGSPED Director
W
owie, zowie!!!! Time for in depth sessions!!! Calling educators with an inclusive classroom who want to learn how to save time and increase student learning for struggling students. Don’t miss the pre-conference hands on ½ day sessions that the special interest group (SIG) for special education (SPED) is going all out to bring you! Two excellent speakers to enhance your knowledge to ensure every student in your classroom learns!
MACULJOURNAL |
Let’s engage in a digital backpack experience and learn how to design Digital Backpacks with James Basham, Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati, (afternoon session). Be there or be square. Do you think you know everything about Google documents and Universal Design for Learning? Come join Kit Hard in the morning session to improve your ability to reach and engage all students. See Kit’s sites
http://edtechkit.blogspot.com/search/label/UDL, http://
edtechkit.blogspot.com/search/label/Assistive%20Technology
Hurry and sign up for this opportunity for CEUs and a chance to win valuable door prizes. Lorinda Tait, Rose McKenzie and Chris Skoglund are looking forward to welcoming you to this fast moving, action packed day! We know you will be impressed.
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