Wiki Skills
Originally uploaded by langwitches
I found this great blog post today through my Tech & Learning weekly update. It was written by Silvia Tolisano and also cross posted to her Langwitches blog - It's not about the Tools. It's about the Skills. If I could shout this from the rooftops of every school building I came across, I would! I know all of this web2.o and technology is intimidating to people who have never experienced working with it. I get that. I get that it is scary and could be viewed as "bells and whistles" when it comes to bringing these tools into the classroom. How does this contribute to the learning environment? How can we encourage the use of these tools to make sure the "goals, objectives, targets" are being met? What if anything, will the students get out of the use of these tools? I understand how these questions arise.
Please take a moment to read over the blog post linked that Silvia wrote. I agree it is skill building. I look at skills in a different light a bit, though. I look at skills being concrete things like changing margins, adding tables to a document, etc. Skills mentioned here are a much broader definition of the word skill. Using these tools does teach the skill of each of the programs. What I see as being the "outcome" if you will of all of the tools is; learning, literacy enhancement, collaboration, engagement, as well as core curricular goals.
I really love the little posters for each type of tool. Very creative and very visual for people like me!
If there is a learning outcome, I would never feel my time was wasted in the classroom. It may take a lot longer to teach the tool along with the lesson, but in the long run, the kids are excited, engaged, having meaningful conversations with each other, sharing tricks they have learned, and being genuine with their learning experience.
In this day and age of the 24/7 connectedness of our youth, why would we hold them back? Why would we want anything less for them. Everything changes, some things faster than others, so why not be open to change?
