Richardson

=Will Richardson= Author of //Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms.// "Learner in Chief" of website called, Weblogg-ed. This website discusses weblogs, wikis, RSS, audiocasts and other related technologies. Holds workshops on how to effectively use these tools in the classroom. Writes 2.0 column for District Administration magazine. Former educator.  I can see where embracing Web 2.0 is necessary in schools since we cannot do anything to change the advance of technology or the trend of social networking. I am slowly realizing that schools do need to be responsible for teaching students how to use the technological tools that surround networking on the web. It is going to be a challenge for schools to figure out how to embrace these new skills and opportunities. Richardson points out in his article, //Digital Footprints//, teachers need to become more comfortable with sharing and making connections online. This is going to be hard for some die-hard teachers that may not embrace change. I personally do not agree with those who feel like it is okay to share everything about their personal lives. However, I realize that there is a lot of good that can result from networking with others for good causes as noted in the //Digital Footprints// article. DM

http://willrichardson.wikispaces.com/ Mr. Richardson says that our goal for our kids must be to help them create, navigate and grow their own personal learning networks in safe, effective and ethical ways.st

In his blog, Richardson states, "I mean wouldn’t it seem that if kids were taught throughout the curriculum about the ethical and appropriate use of computers and the Internet that much more of that policy could be spent going over what students could actually do with the computer rather than the “don’t dos” that were listed?" He's hit the nail on the head. Too many educators are still focused on where we've been and the framework that used to work that no one is willing to go out on the limb and start building a new paradigm, preferrably an open-ended one. As Richardson quotes Stephen Heppel, "This isn't the time to use technology to refine the model we had before; this is a time to harness technology to let children go as far and as fast as they want." EH

"It is not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change" – **Charles Darwin** In Richardson's article [|World Without Walls], Richardson quotes "We must engage with these new technologies and their potential to expand our own understanding and methods in this vastly different landscape. We must know for ourselves how to create, grow, and navigate these collaborative spaces in safe, effective, and ethical ways. And we must be able to model those shifts for our students and counsel them effectively when they run across problems with these tools." JD

In one of the articles I read about Mr. Richardson, he believes that networking online is the new literacy. I think he is probably correct that new technology has redefined literacy somewhat, but I still believe in the basics first. Children are able to reach vast stores of information at their fingertips and Mr. Richardson believes that we have to help them use technology to their best and safest advantages. BG

In his article a World Without Walls Richardson talks about how we as teachers must know and be comfortable using technology in order to help our students learn. I think he makes a very good point. If as the teacher we are comfortable teaching something the students gain more from the lesson. If we work to use more technology in lessons and show students how to create things they in turn will have more confidence. KG

I found some useful and interesting information and links on Richardson's site but I liked several other author's site better--better organized. RM

I didn't care for Richardson's site either. There were some good links to other web sites and articles but his site does need more organized. It seems like there are just a list of random web sites thrown on his site. MP

Richardson is entirely right about technology changing the type of students we have. He states that "the students are leading us". This may be the case, but I do not feel that it should be the reality. It is important for us as educators to stay up to date on new technology and media so that //we// are the ones who are leading. He discusses how the definition of privacy is changing. Students are opening up to the internet community in a way that they would only have to a close friend in the past. Therefore, it is important to not only teach technological skills, but also instill a sense of caution in our students. CNR

Enjoyed browsing Richardson's list of links. His blog was quite extensive. His book would be a "must read" for me since since trying to create a wiki page has been a challenge for me. CW