The Kapileo's

Blog #2, Advanced Ed.

Blog #2

Web 2.0

What are your feelings on using Web 2.0 applications in your classroom or in your own teaching?

Grrrreeaaat!!!

Are there pitfalls to relying on web 2.0 applications?

Pitfalls?  Can’t think of any right now but just how fortunate we are to be availed of what technology can offer.  Like I mentioned in my other blog, I used to wait forever to get my mails from home during the time I was away for college.  Now, we practically can get a hold of loved ones, friends, colleagues, etc. with just a click…no more waiting forever.  Plus all the collaboration, information sharing and knowledge you get, shopping from home, etc. what more can anyone ask for?  Oh, the only pitfall I can now think of is…too much time on the internet…esp. those hooked on Facebook and shopping. L

Do you trust web 2.0 applications?

All you need to do is just:

·          Protect yourself from sharing too much of yourself, esp. with all the hacking going on.  

·         We should esp. try to protect our children, bullying and seriously bad things can happen to them using these applications, needing our help in seriously educating them. 

·         Giving away our credit card information, need to really be careful on who you give this to.

These apps tend to be free so should we look to these kinds of solutions before looking to purchase a product?

Definitely, why purchase when you can get the apps for free?

Web 3.0

Which “leap” towards a semantic web do you think is the most simple? Knowledge of

Most Difficult? …and, No knowledge of, it’s as simple as that.  If you have no idea of what you are operating or using, of course, that’ll be hard, but if you do then, inevitably, vice versa.

What causes of concern does this bring up for you?

The constant shift of technology certainly concerns us.  Considerable changes from basic to advanced technology accelerating with great speed…wouldn’t that concern you?  It does me.  And, esp. our children are moving along with the technological era way faster than us…interesting as it may seem.  We should keep ourselves up to par in this revolving world of technology else…go figure!

Do you think anything is lost here if all the information is aggregated for a student instead of compiling all the resources themselves? Absolutely not, as the saying goes, “Time is of the essence” students will be saving a tremendous amount of time from compiling the resources themselves.  Instead of exhausting their energy on how and where to get the resources, let’s exhaust their energy by having them read up and acquiring the knowledge on the topic at hand.

Blog post #1

Blog post #1

What is a blog?

A blog (a portmanteau of the term web log) is a discussion or informational site published on theWorld Wide Web and consisting of discrete entries ("posts") typically displayed in reverse chronological order (the most recent post appears first).

What is the purpose of a blog?

Blog can have many different purposes. It could be used to make money. It could be a way to communicate with loved ones. It could be a way to show off your writing skills. You can use it to gain a little fame.  (jamesdebono.com/purpose-of-a-blog)

How can you use this in your official capacity? (teacher, admin., central office, etc.)

I would use this as a central office staff to connect with my teachers (CCLHS).  We could keep track of each other across schools through this blog, on anything from adding minutes to our agenda of up- coming  meetings, to submissions of required documents, to just questions and answers about the program, announcements, etc.

Give at least two explicit examples of uses (not just “reflection”)

I guess one specific use of our blog would be for teachers to “post” their concerns where everyone can share and comment on what steps to take or solutions to solve dilemma or crisis.

And the other thing would be for sharing effective teaching strategies and practices they come across, have tried and implemented in their classrooms, and that really work.

A dedicated network just for CCLHS teachers.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a blog?

The 10 Benefits of Blogging

#1. You will  become a better writer

Just the discipline of sitting down and writing will improve your writing skills. Thinking and planning doesn’t  cut it…action and doing does!

#2. Your video skills will improve

If you spend some time interviewing people with videos or even  recording yourself to provide online education and “how to”‘ tips via video, then your video skills will improve whether that is the lighting, the structure of the set or even the sound quality.

#3. You will learn

To write you have to read. There is a very distinct direct bonus from this activity. You will learn …a lot!

Stephen King the novelist summed it up well ”If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”

#4. Visibility – People will hear about you

People discover information online today, so if you want to be a discovered and become a visible expert then blogging and social media will provide you with the visibility. Conducting a Google search is how we find people and information today not the library or the town square unless you are a stalker.

Geoffrey Rush the Oscar winning actor said “In my career two things have been vital.. Credibility and Visibility”

#5. Expert status

Perceived or real, the art of publishing online via blogging will transform you from an amateur to a  professional. Keep doing this with enough passion, purpose and focus and you will become “that” expert on your chosen topic if you persist.

#6. Become a champion researcher

You will also find the best ways to obtain information as you hunt down information and resources for your blog. You will identify global bloggers, resources and experts that will provide the insights and information you need to provide ongoing value to your readers.

#7. Power networker

As you start to become noticed people will want to connect with you and catch up for a coffee or invite you to their events and gigs. What a great way to meet your tribe who love your topic as much as you do.

#8. Your memory will improve

Exercising the brain through writing and learning will provide much needed exercise for the neurons. Keeping the body fit requires physical exercise. The mind needs stimulation and activity as well to be mind fit. You will be amazed by what you will remember from participating in mental gymnastics provided by blogging activities.

This will also have a the side benefit of looking more intelligent at cocktail parties and that has to be a good thing!

#9. Your creativity will increase

Nothing like a focused passion to improve your creativity.You will find that your brain will think more creatively as you move from conscious skills to unconscious and automatic activity, that frees up the thinking for out of the box thinking.

#10. Synergizes and Synthesizes Focus

The act of writing and expressing yourself online will provide you with internal and external feedback that sharpens the intuition and focuses your mind. The benefits of a social interactive web is that it taps into the global mind that will provide you with the feedback loop that will sharpen and amplify your purpose and passion if you are willing to listen

Read more at http://www.jeffbullas.com/2012/07/06/what-are-the-10-secret-benefits-of-blogging/#Zjl2dPSb2agfHWfg.99 

Some drawbacks are:

·         Difficult to maintain

·         Time consuming

·         Outdated, not updated

·         Turn off readers with too much bragging

·         Pointless submissions