Overview

The Internet as we know it has been constantly changing and improving over the past several years and these changes have been so numerous and so dramatic as to inspire people to refer to this "new" internet as Web 2.0 or the Read/Write Web. The content of the Read/Write Web, as we will call it, is characterized by open communication, freedom to share and re-use content, and dynamic interactivity among users of varying technical abilities around the globe. A multitude of web-based tools now are available that can allow people to organize their favorite bookmarks, write online documents, and share information with others through social software like blogs and wikis. These tools can positively impact teaching and learning and the implications are significant. Students can be empowered to see how their ideas can be shared easily with the world and students around the globe can easily collaborate and communicate with each other to build knowledge communities that are not dependent on time and space. A few dedicated educators are sharing their ideas and blogging about these new tools so that they can be used effectively in classrooms. In this course, participants will be exposed to many of the tools of the Read/Write Web and will get the chance to experiment with new tools each week. The final session will focus on how educators can help students to use these new tools safely. Discussions will help participants focus on how these tools can be integrated into the classroom to make the most of their potential to enhance student learning.

Goals and Products

This online course will enable participants to:

• Understand the fundamental changes that the Read/Write Web is bringing about in all areas including business, politics and journalism
• Learn about some of the tools of the Read/Write web such as RSS feeds, Social Bookmarking, Blogs, Wikis and Podcasts
• Create their own Blogs and Wikis for personal and/or professional use
• Locate resources for downloading and creating educational Podcasts and Streaming Videos
• Create accounts for storing, organizing, and retrieving web-based information using RSS feeds and Social Bookmarking tools
• Explore tools and strategies for keeping students safe on the Read/Write Web

Format and Requirements

This workshop is divided into six one-week sessions that include readings, an activity, and an online discussion among workshop participants. Each session is designed to take approximately two to four hours to complete.

The outline for the workshop is as follows:

Workshop participants are expected to complete weekly assignments along with actively participating in the online discussion board. In addition, participants will develop and share their ideas to incorporate tools and strategies presented in the workshop into their own curricula.

Prerequisites

This is an introductory course for teachers, technology specialists, curriculum specialists, professional development specialists or other school personnel. Participants are expected to have regular access to computers, and proficiency with e-mail and current web browsers.

Content and Technology Standards

This workshop, Learning and Teaching with the Read/Write Web, will help participants meet the ISTE Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for All Teachers (http://cnets.iste.org/teachers/t_stands.html), especially Standards I and II. In addition, this workshop will help teachers to enable their students to meet the following Information Literacy Standards (http://cnets.iste.org/currstands/cstands-il.html), especially Standards I, II, and III.