Web 2.0 and Election Day

Following an article about how the Obama campaign is reaching out to voters via the internet, we were asked to consider how we as educators can utilize Web 2.0.  

From my brief encounter - I can say Web 2.0 has been a great motivator for my students.  It also allows parents to view class blogs and capture a taste of what goes on in the classroom.  I am sure the potential for collaboration, networking and research will be evaluated this school year as well!

In the meantime, Obama supporters are also capitalizing on the power of the internet to get their message to millions!  There are also YouTube entries from unlikely sources:

check out the following link and view both videos!

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1026260.html#resp 

Holidays and technology

My students and I have acknowledged the Jewish holidays in a truly 21 century way! We have illustrated, discussed, blogged and pod cast our thoughts and wishes for the New Year, made a special ushpizim list for Sukkot and shared thoughts on the importance of prayer.

My students look forward to class - they never know when I will pull out the laptop for another blogging/podcast session! The web plus a game of "Jewpardy" now and then certainly has added some energy and spark to religious school!

personal discoveries

I have already learned a major advantage to utilizing Web 2.0 technology in the classroom - the rewards are more or less built into the framework of the games - no need for outside reinforcements.

I am a firm believer in filling the tank if you want the car to run.  My fuel choice has always been small candies tossed out at varying intervals.  It has always brought out smiles and energy from my students.  Parents however, are less enamored of that philosophy and would rather rely on reserve energy - not always available after a long day in school.  (I don't think I would get the same response if I threw out brussel sprouts!).

Time to move out of the ice age and away from sugar!  Web 2.0 is a wonderful sugar free way to engage and inspire!