New Web 2.0 Technologies

"Seek out an educator that is using new technologies (Web 2.0 sites) with students in the classroom currently. Reach out to them (via phone/skype/im/email etc)"

I decided to intervew another teacher in my school.  She is a remedial math teacher and also helps others in the school integrate technology into their classrooms. She is known in our school as the technology guru. 

1)How they decided which tools to use with their students?
Ms. R searches various education blogs, websites and social networking sites to find new ideas.  She uses the social networking sites (Pinterest, edudemic!, edutopia, and facebook). She first tries the sites herself and if she thinks her students might like it, she introduces it into her class. She says it is really trial and error.  Some tools work better with some students, and you as a teacher must know your students strengths and weaknesses. She also said to take some risks when it comes to new sites.  She has said that some sites that she thought was useless, the students really enjoyed.


2)What obstacles they needed to overcome to obtain permission to do such a project?
She said she always has to make sure the site is accessible. She always looks for free websites and she always signs up for free trials. That way she knows what sites are worth a cost. She said that she has made friends with the technology department and the administrator that runs the department.  She has earned his trust.  She said to make sure if you are going to be using new technology, you should know the tool/website inside and out that way you can properly sell the website to your technology department. Make sure you know how to use your districts monitoring software like vision.  That way if you use a computer lab, you can see all the student's screens to make sure they are on task and using the website properly. You also have to make sure the website is appropriate for the age and grade level. She is also a teacher that takes risks.  She said it is sometimes ok to ask forgiveness.

3)What advice they would give to a teacher seeking to replicate their efforts.
She said to make sure you familiarize yourself with the technology.  She also said observing another teacher that uses similar websites can help you become familiar with the website/technology.  She said after you become familiar, you should start small and manageable. Don't overwhelm yourself! You will get frustrated and it will become a lot of work.  After you mastered one small step, go bigger! She said it is also helpful to introduce websites that the students can use at home. She also said not to make the project about the technology.  Technology is only a tool in your toolbox, it isn't your curriculum   Don't lose focus on what you are teaching!

Ms. R is a very well known teacher in the building and she loves trying new things.   I am not an ask for forgiveness kind of person, I would probably just ask first. I would be too paranoid that I am going to break some kind of rule. She is a little more risker than me! She has helped me learn how to use my promethean board and is constantly sending me new things to try.  I usually just follow her lead! She has helped me integrate edmodo and she has helped me develop lesson plans that integrate technology.  I really use the same techniques that she does, except she is willing to take more risks then I am.  I like the whole start small and grow technique.  The promethean board overwhelmed me at first, but now I can completely comfortable!