K12 Learning 2.0

Joyce Valenca’s posts on her NeverEndingSearch blog are always so inspiring and reflective.  I learn from each of her posts.  One of her mosr recent posts deals with dictionaries.  I just had a call today from one of our new schools opening next year – should they buy dictionaries for each classroom?

Joyce offers a multitude of online options that go far beyond a basic print dictionary.  These tools can help extend the students’ thinking beyond basic definitions, parts of speech and pronunciation.  She always includes traditional resources as well as more free-form resources (Wiktionary and Wordie).

And she’s sending me on a quest – I know about synonyms and antonyms but what are fuzzynyms?
They’re part of the Lexiapedia online resource…..hmmm?????

As I previewed the online possibilities for the 2008 Online Conference, the session title that I kept returning to was I Like Delicious Things:  An Introduction to Tagging and Folksonomies.  All those media specialist classes from my past on cataloguing, classification and organizing materials came back to me – I like being organized in my personal as well as professional life.  So Delicious it was – I listened intently to all Chris B, with his wonderful Australian accent, had to say.

The essential questions Chris posed were all valid:
1. What are the qualities of a good tag?
2. How does tagging assist learners in managing their information better?
3. Think of an unusual or innovative use of tagging

As a media specialist, I have been tagging (we call it cataloguing) for years.  I love seeing this same skill  embraced by the Web 2.0 community.  Tagging can change the way we think about information – whether it be pictures, web sites, documents, presentations.  And it definitely is a bottoms-up approach to classifying and cataloguing information.  Media specialists rely on vendors to supply basic information for each book/item they order – it’s called a MARC record.  A really good media specialist evaluates the record that is sent then adds additional keywords that fit his/her specific audience.  So as a good media specialist, I’ve been “tagging” for years without knowing it.

I also appreciated Chris’ point that the tags (keywords) used should prompt the creator to ask:  “What keywords would I use to search for this item?”  The tags/keywords are really important for the person who is searching for information – that is who the tagger must consider as they are adding tags/keywords to the item.  I had thought about that as a media specialist for the print items I purchased but I think that view is more important for Web 2.0.  The searcher doesn’t have a glossary or table of contents to use once they have the item in hand.  They’d never get the item if the tags aren’t relevant and consistent.  The ability to have as many tags as you want is a wonderful component as well as realizing the importance of the correct spelling of each tag.

Tag clouds can be fascinating and Chris’ example of the presidential speeches was very appropriate.  To realize a user can determine the key topics/issues from a tag cloud (being created from the past speeches) was an eye-opener.  The tag clouds do really embody the “spirit of the times” by highlighting the key topics in the cloud – those terms being BIG and BOLD within the cloud.

A wonderful presentation – Chris showed how tags can be applied to a variety of items.  Even how a tagger can add “personal tags” that are important/relevant to him/her.  The Web 2.0 community can utilize and access items by using common tags (e.g. building, Sydney) but the tagger can also quickly access items by utilizing a specific personal tag (e.g. WOW!)……..new concept to me and one I’ll employ.

As part of the Information Literacy class I teach, one of the main topics I discuss is Copyright.  This topic is so comprehensive and dynamic that it is hard to get my own mind around it – and I have a media background – let alone all the class participants.

I decided to look for images in Flickr/Creative Commons regarding Copyright and Plagiarism.  I have incorporated several of these images into a Bubbleshare slideshow.  

 BubbleShare: Share photos – Easy Photo Sharing

Attribution for the pictures included in the slideshow follows:

Copyright

Copyright by Uncommon Depth

http://www.flickr.com/photos/uncommondepth/3204094812/

Copyright2

Copyright Symbols by MikeBlogs

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeblogs/3020966268/

Copyright Criminal

Copyright Criminal by amidanyorai

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amidanyorai/36431935/

Copyright Performance

Copyrighted performance by wseltzer

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wseltzer/248490439/

The slideshow, I hope, gives a general view on copyright – with reminders that you need to ask permission to use copyrighted materials and ends with copyright violation is a criminal activity.  A lot to say in 4 slides but I hope the message is conveyed that this is a legal/ethical issue and there are consequences for our actions.

There’s a wiki in my past…..and I know there’ll be a wiki in my future.  Presently, I help coordinate a media specialist wiki at Wikispaces.  We use it to post training materials, agendas, presentations as well as have the media specialists contribute materials on different topics – Read Across America Day, National Library Day, best practices (lesson plans/activities) for the media specialist as well as recipes.  I do plan on continuing to use this wiki with this group of media specialists from North Georgia.

I enjoyed looking at a variety of wikis from the list that was provided.  It was enlightening to see the various uses from K through 12th grade.  Something as simple as The Kindergarten Counting Book where digital pictures representing the numbers 1 to 100 were simply displayed  to the Salute to Seuss wiki which incorporated worldwide activities, Bubbleshare and attribution from Creative Commons.  The Go West wiki had very concise content, different multimedia formats (Inspiration, pictures) in an easy-to-navigate format.  All of them were easy to navigate, included a variety of media (photos, videos, charts, etc.) and were well-organized.  Some even had sub-headings which divided the topic into smaller units.  All provided convenient links and navigation tabs.  Most were very similar in format so once you explored one, you could easily navigate others.

To me, wikis provide an opportunity to include so many information literacy skills from research to web site evaluation, copyright, plagiarism, citation skills.  You can also incorporate  pre-writing, editing and organizational skills.  And wikis are so versatile – they can be used with all curricular areas as well as for professional development and training.

Two “big” concerns I have:
 - that copyright seemd to be ignored on many wikis.  Materials are used – pictures, images, book covers -with no regard to copyright or at least citing where the materials were taken from.  There are enough other choices (Creative Commons, public domain materials) that copyright can be followed without taking away from the product.
 - that material that the user posted can be edited/deleted.  I know that all changes can be tracked and that students need to be taught ethical behavior but…..my hope is that the students will be so excited about the use of this tool that they will follow ethical behavior.

Since I work more with media specialists and teachers than students, my use of a wiki will be for a collaborative project with all the media specialists in our district.  We have an outdated Media Specialist Handbook that desperately needs updated.  My plan was for us to work on this next year at our district media meetings.  I can use a wiki to post the existing documents then have the media specialists collaborate and update the material.  Since the handbook has multiple topics, we can have different pages for each topic.  I also see a wiki as a possible tool for Pathfinders that we create to assist students as they work on different projects/assignments.  Instead of each media specialist creating a Pathfinder on the same topic, we can divide the topics and create the Pathfinders then share the resulting work.

Another amazing Web 2.0 tool we have in Flcikr.  Our school district is very conscious of all matters related to copyright.  Flickr provides an alternative we can share with teachers and students to discover images that can be used legally in their presentations.  We already incorporate Flickr into several of the Web 2.0 professional development  classes we offer to teachers including our digital storytelling classes, Web 2.0 classes as well as the Information Literacy classes we offer.

Since I’m one of the instructors for the Information Literacy classes we offer, the theme I chose for this assignment was Copyright and Plagiarism.  There were a number of choices available on Flickr that I’ll be incorporating into classes we offer this Summer.
Image by UnCommon Depth

One idea I already suggested to participants in the Information Literacy class we offer is for the teacher to gather images from Flickr related to their project/assignment for their students.  We feel this is very effective for the younger students especially.  The teacher creates a folder for the class and saves a number of images from Flickr on the topic, including the attribution properties for each.  When it is time for students to work on their project, they’re directed to use images from the appropriate folder.  This technique is two-fold:  it saves loads of time students use searching for images and secondly, the images used can be done so legally.  Since Flickr has such a variety of images (not all are appropriate for young school children), this prevents students being exposed to inappropriate images – until skills can be taught to discrimate on how to choose images, what to do if inappropriate material is accessed, etc.

The Creative Commons aspect of Flickr is incredible.  Not only is there a variety of images as well as attribution properties availble but the number of ways to search for images is wonderful.  And knowing that new material is added to the site daily – there’s always something new to explore in Flickr.  You can revisit the site and always find new images to use.

What a marvelous tool – Creative Commons!!!  It’s so wonderful to have this resource to share with students and staff as we introduce, reinforce and try to enforce copyright compliance.  Creatice Commons shows respect for intellectual property…..by providing attribution for each work as well as an opportunity for creative work to be shared and used by all.  In addition, students and staff can share their own creative work using this tool.  This more open liberal approach to copyright aligns with Web 2.0 – the Read/Write web.

Professionally, in Information Literacy classes I teach (really all professional development classes I teach), I share Creative Commons as an alternative with no worries.  To know I can use graphical as well as audio materials in all situations – Yes, I can post it on my web site – and I’m being copyright compliant is wonderful.  And there’s a growing number of creative works that can be used on such a wide variety of topics.  And assisting students as I work in the media center – I love this resource as a legitimate tool for images and sounds.

Personally, as I create documents/presentations for the school district where I work, I always model ethical behavior and follow copyright guidelines.  And my family is constantly reminded about copyright and ethical behavior.  From the grandchildren to my spouse, their understanding of copyright, ethical behavior and alternatives available to them has definitely increased.

I have seen more Creative Commons attribution on web sites, images and presentations.  And it’s always an opportunity to educate others about this tool.  Joyce Valenza (media specialist extraordinaire) has a wonderful pathfinder of copyright friendly resources. Check it out!!!

Another resource everyone can use are materials in the public domain – these materials are no longer protected by copyright or are materials created by the government.  Both can be used without any worries about copyright.  A great web resource is Public Domain Pictures - you can search by keyword.  You can also upload your own creative content and share with others.

I LOVE to read – it doesn’t matter what the material is – I’ll read it.  I still truly enjoy reading the newspaper every night after work……how un-Web 2.0 is that!!!  Setting up Google Reader and choosing feeds to come to me has just expanded my reading choices a hundred-fold.  I’ve learned I’m not really a “skimmer”……I’ll work on that but I’m sure what I’m reading is going to tie in to something I’m doing or teaching or someone else I know could use the information……….

As i mentioned in an earlier post, these feeds are providing timely information on a variety of topics/tasks I’m working on right now.  Next week, I’m attending KSU’s Literature Conference and one of the featured presenters is author Laurie Halse Anderson;  in fact, she’s visiting one of our high schools next Wednesday afternoon. There’s a great article about her latest book title that was just released and the use of Facebook and My Space pages to discuss this new title.

As we’re wrapping up an Information Literacy class that I’m teaching, Joyce Valenza (media specialist extraordinaire) has a wonderful post about Creative Commons and how to use it for happier image searching.  She also includes links to a variety of resources for copyright appropriate images.  This information will be a wonderful addition to the section of the class on copyright, plagiarism and copyright-free sounds and images.

I really love Infinite Thinking’s Friday Five post. Every week – each topic is so interesting and timely.  This past post on the leading women of technology – how appropriate for Women’s History Month.  This feed provides historical as well as current information..and also inspires you to share what you’ve read.

I’m trying to maintain balance with all my reading choices….I’m so glad I have 2 new eyes to make all this reading possible!!!!

It’s funny how each new assignment seems to tie-in to something I’m doing.  I teach an Information Literacy Class to teachers and media specialists in our district.  The class is divided into 4 nights and the first night deals with Information Literacy, Copyright and Plagiarism.  One of the first “resources” I got in my Google Reader account was from one of the required feeds:  Infinite Thinking Machine.  The article dealt with 21st Century Skills and provided 5+ resources that helped to explain these competencies as well as resources for the classroom teacher and a world view of this challenge.  I was able to incorporate these resources onto the training page we offer for this class as well as use some of the information in my presentation. 21st Century Skills provides “food for thought” on the necessity of teaching our students a new set of skills.  As part of our discussion that first night of class, we try to brainstorm ideas about using the technology students love  – to draw them in to our teaching –  what student doesn’t love his/her cell phone?  Again, Infinite Thinking Machine had a resource entitled Cellphones in Education that definitely provided other resources and suggestions for the role cell phones can play in education. 

Amazing………..it’s wonderful to have the information come to me in one convenient place.  I love to read and constantly have a stack of print resources beside the bed that pile up – until I find time to go through them.  Having the RSS feeds in my Google Reader allows me to check daily and skim the collection then zero in on specific resources of interest. I like being able to star certain topics and quickly jump to them when needed.

I have been reading blogs for a while now, even contributing to one for the state media organization. 
Two characteristics I’ve noticed about blogs:
1. Blogs are multimedia in nature, incorporating links, pictures, movies, etc.
    This was unexpected – I thought blogging was “writing” so to have all these other forms of media was a pleasant surprise.  I think it contributes to blogging’s appeal – all types of learners can connect to the writing through these media formats.
2.  Blogs have no established writing style.  Every blog is different.  Some follow the more traditional writing style; others incorporate a variety of styles/fonts to grab your attention and make a point.  Others incorporate “shorthand” techniques  – not as much concern about spelling, grammar with abbreviated sentences/structure.
But all are readable and I find myself really reading for content.

Being able to read not only the blog post but the variety of comments from other readers expands the original idea posted and often offers a more “rounded” picture of the specific topic. Comments can force the reader to see more sides of an issue; they can help give perspective to the topic being discussed and they can connect the reader to individuals who can become part of a learning network – sharing ideas and thoughts and even collaborating on projects.

Blogging opens up a new way to learn.  I’ve heard Will Richardson say he has learned more from blogging than all the formal, traditional courses he’s taken. And he discusses how today’s student views reading online compared to how older learners read online. 
No matter our age, we all learn from reading blogs and the posts to these blogs – hopefully, being exposed to blogs emboldens us to contribute and begin a new learning experience.

I’m fortunate that I work in a school district that has vision.  Our goal in every thing we do is to increase student achievement.  Our district leaders realized quite early in the Web 2.0 culture the impact these tools could have in the classroom and with students today.  Because of that, our Instructional Technology Department has been training staff on a number of Web 2.0 tools as well as providing the equipment needed in the classrooms as students utilize these tools.  A typical day in the school/classroom isn’t quite what David Warlick describes in his article A Day in the Life of Web 2.0 but more and more classrooms are incorporating these tools – and the impact on students has been a joy to see.  Web 2.0 does engage students; it is “where they’re at” and it revitalizes teachers as they work with their curricular standards.

I’m a “reader” by nature and career………..the printed word is sacred to me.  I love to read the newspaper, books, magazines – I still prefer a print copy to reading on the computer screen.  So accepting Web 2.0 and its tools took me a little longer. The read/write web – I understood the reading part - but the interactivity of the writing part….who was going to care what I had to say?  But I have learned how wonderful it is to be able to access “experts” from all over the county to hear what they have to say, to view presentations from conferences I couldn’t attend, to communicate with fellow instructional partners and to share with a wide audience of professionals knowledge that improves what I do and supports our district’s vision – student achievement.

I’ve been able to utilize a wiki with the work I do with a group of media specialists in North GA where everyone is contributing “Best Practices” as well as ideas for other media topics.  I’m a guest blogger for the state media organization, contributing once a month.  del.icio.us has become a favorite tool.  Listening to podcasts as I’m walking - I promised myself to relax during this time but sometimes you use every opportunity you have to catch up on those job-related tasks.  All of these definitely have changed how I learn as well as how I share what I’ve learned.  My interaction with today’s students is limited but I do work with the professionals who work with today’s learners and I hope their exposure to these tools through my professional work with them is beneficial.

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn,”
                     Alvin Toffler