Workshop+Day+One

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Web 2.0 Tools for Social Studies, Day 1: Introduction and Blogging

Objectives:
 * Participants will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the benefits and challenges of using Web 2.0 tools in the classroom and professional practice.
 * Participants will be able to create and use blogs for professional and classroom purposes and identify a number of practical applications for them.

According to researchers like Pan and Franklin (2012), most teachers do not see themselves as effective users of the "new" internet, and the use of Web 2.0 tools and resources by in-service teachers is limited. The internet has changed over the last twenty years. Many of us became familiar with the “old” internet, which was about page views and clicks. We have had to change our approach for the “new” internet, which is about interaction and participation. How does that change the ways in which we bring our students and ourselves into that environment? One major change is that internet resources have become less like print resources, static and informative. Students and teachers can now construct knowledge and understanding through interaction. We will address the opportunities that this presents as well as the challenges.

After we have addressed the questions of just what we mean by Web 2.0, we will move into using it in practical ways. One popular tool for sharing on the internet is the web log or "blog." Teachers use blogs as devices for communicating with students and parents, and for personal writing, but more importantly, teachers are using blogs in their classrooms to engage students in constructing understanding. Manfra and Lee (2012) found that history students could develop historical thinking skills and share historical arguments with access to primary and secondary sources in a blogging environment.

First, go to [] and respond to the post. You can also respond to any of the responses already posted. How can you adapt this format for your classroom? Go to [|http://www.blogger.com] and create an account and a quick blog using a template. Choose a user name and password that you can remember. Now set up an activity for one of your classes. Choose from the following or create your own: It is important to establish guidelines for students to follow when posting or commenting online. We will work together as a group to develop a rules structure for your students to follow.
 * A writing prompt for your students to respond to.
 * Ask each student to post a current event and have them respond to one another’s posts with reactions and opinions.
 * Ask opinion questions about a topic from class or reading. Direct students to comment and to respond to one another’s comments.

Teachers can also use "microblogs" like Twitter, which only allow very short entries. They can be a good way to get quick responses from everyone in a group at the same time, or to quickly distribute information to students.

Go back to your account at [|www.blogger.com] and create a new blog using a different template. This blog is for you to use as a journal during this professional development. Post an entry about today’s workshop. What did you learn? What didn’t you learn? How will you use what you gained today with your students.

E-mail your blog’s URL to me at robert.hobbs@pgcps.org. I will use your entries to evaluate the success of today’s training.