This course has really opened my eyes to the world of Web 2.0 tools. Previously I had some experience with these tools, but I was unaware of many different types of tools that are available. Most of these tools are either free or very inexpensive to use and incorporate into a classroom. Social networks are one of the first types of tools that we learned about in this course. Many students are already very familiar with social networks so they do not require class time in order to show students how to use them. These tools can easily be used for either collaboration or communication within the classroom. Another type of tool that we explored in this class was productivity tools. Any teacher could benefit from effective productivity tools. Other tools that were explored include podcasting and visual tools. These have many applications such as making the material more clear for students and giving students the power to communicate their learning. Before taking this class, I was very uncomfortable with recording myself either making a screencast or podcast. During this semester I had the opportunity to create both of them and feel much more comfortable using them. I would encourage anyone to start by making a simple podcast or screencast in order to familiarize themselves with the technology.
I feel that my ability to coach others on the use of Web 2.0 tools has grown a lot throughout this course. Before beginning this course I was only really comfortable implementing the use of tools that were directly related to math. By completing this course my knowledge has diversified a good bit. As I become more comfortable with using these tools, I am much more likely to help someone else incorporate them into their classroom. This course also provided many opportunities to practice coaching others as we reflected on the work of others. Reflecting on the work of others also gave me the opportunity to learn about tools that I may not have explored and I learned from the perspective of others. Through this course, I have gone from not knowing what a Web 2.0 tool is to knowing about many tools that come from a variety of categories. I look forward to building on this foundation that I have built as I continue to explore tools as they become available. I am much more capable of serving as a resource for coaching others as they implement the use of these tools into their classrooms.
I feel that my ability to coach others on the use of Web 2.0 tools has grown a lot throughout this course. Before beginning this course I was only really comfortable implementing the use of tools that were directly related to math. By completing this course my knowledge has diversified a good bit. As I become more comfortable with using these tools, I am much more likely to help someone else incorporate them into their classroom. This course also provided many opportunities to practice coaching others as we reflected on the work of others. Reflecting on the work of others also gave me the opportunity to learn about tools that I may not have explored and I learned from the perspective of others. Through this course, I have gone from not knowing what a Web 2.0 tool is to knowing about many tools that come from a variety of categories. I look forward to building on this foundation that I have built as I continue to explore tools as they become available. I am much more capable of serving as a resource for coaching others as they implement the use of these tools into their classrooms.