The choosing of tags wasn't difficult, but it felt like I could put about 40 different tags for each site that I found. I basically would narrow it down to 4 or 5 tags for each site. I don't know how I would approach teaching tagging to students, especially my students who have a hard enough time performing simple tasks.
Bundling related tags can help organize your bookmarks when you've gather a large quantity of websites. Right now it doesn't seem to difficult to manage since I have so few sites, but when my list becomes rather large and contains a wide variety of topics, bundling will be helpful.
To answer the remaining questions about del.icio.us, I will have to respond with, "I don't know." I don't how you would use the Network feature. I don't know how I would use this with my students. If I found the site confusing, then how would 7th grade students with learning disabilities be able to use it? I'm sure the site can be useful and benefit me eventually, but right now it's just annoying. I even get annoyed typing the name... del.icio.us.
The wiki, as far as other Web 2.0 tools that I feel could be used particularly in my school/classroom, is a great tool that I can begin to effectively use in the classroom next year. Currently our staff uses wiki to post assignments for parents to view. I don't think I would need to ask them. Last year our special education department bought and put 10 computers in my room for the middle school special education students to use for testing and any other computer needs.
It wouldn't take much to convince my administrator and tech advisor to allow the use of the wiki in my classroom. They are very supportive when it comes to incorporating technology in the classroom. The wiki is one option that really excites me. Sorry to del.icio.us and those who love her. She's not my type.... too high maintenance.
Norm, you make some very valid points, the best of which in my opinion is, you have to be comfortable with whatever you are teaching your students. I agree with you. You would never prepare and practice any other new material before enriching young minds, technology is no different. It sounds like your district is willing to use new technology as a means to help students succeed. It is important to help all students feel comfortable with their learning, what ever route they use to get there.
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of using a wiki to post assignments for parents. I would have to agree that a site like delicious might be a little more difficult to use with students with disabilities. Maybe just picking apart the website and using the basics would be a way that you could modify it for your students to use.
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