Techlearning blog

We started out last fall, I really can't remember the date because things happened so quickly, and since then there has been a whirlwind of activity, webcasts, podcasts, blogging, building wikis, interviewing guests and conversations. I've had all kinds of opportunities to improve my learning through my connections with people from around the planet. Most recently, through a chance conversation one evening at EdTechTalk, I spoke with Dr. Cheri Toledo, a professor at Illinois University, about her education doctoral students and their use of technology. I suggested that her class come to a one hour show Women of Web 2.0, (webcast weekly during the US school year September through June, at Worldbridges.net on Tuesdays 9PM EST or 21:00 GMT). Dr. Toledo spoke about how she really pushes her students to try out new web tools, new technologies and to push themselves. So, we set aside a Tuesday evening when her students could attend their weekly class virtually and some of them agreed to learn how to SKPYE to be part of the webcast, the rest entered the chat room that accompanies our webcast.

That conversation took place on April 17, 2007. You can hear the podcast of the show at EdTechTalk/Womenofweb or you can download and listen on your mp3 player.

Dr. Toledo's class had a range of educators, teachers both elementary and high school, a school superintendent, a nutritionist and others. All were engaged in using the latest and greatest web tools. I asked them a series of questions which they all had an opportunity to answer. Some of them have blogged about it, be sure to read their comments
. While listening to the podcast I am struck that this cross section of educators represents all of our school communities. I could identify with all their answers, their ideas and their fears.
My last question still resonates with me as I go through my week as a Collaborative Content Coach for Technology, what tools can you not possibly live without after this class and what support do you need to continue this work?

All of the doctoral students mentioned that they could not live without blogs, podcasts, wikis, chat, and that these technologies opened the doors to conversations with others teaching similar topics, in their own fields, somewhere outside of their buildings.

I asked them what they struggled with while learning all about these new tools. All mentioned the following as adversities: never enough time to do it all, kids noticing and asking for more, a steep learning curve, maintaining a level of confidence while all this new learning takes place. But the following advantages really pushed the educators to continue, librarians who have been helpful, talking to other teachers outside of their buildings, the biggest advantage was that by taking a look at the outside world and finally by focusing on what kids need to be productive citizens in the 21st Century makes all the learning worthwhile.

I want to thank Karen, Julie, Larry, Kathy, Colleen and Dr. Cheri Toledo for their permission to use the information from the interview. The Women of Web 2.0 thanks the others in the class for participating in the chat room during the show. Larry, thanks for your vote of confidence by including the Women of Web 2.0 podcast/webcast as part of the professional development in your district. You are a visionary, not because you have people listening to the four Women of Web 2.0, but because you've demonstrated how important this listening and conversing is to professional development everywhere. Using the podcasts, blogs, wikis, chats, and SKPYE offer continuous professional development no matter where you are.

If you are interested in joining a program that will push you to use Web 2.0 tools, and you are in the Illinois area, you may check out Dr. Cheri Toledo's blogs and her doctoral student projects.
If you are interested in joining an online project, the Webheads are beginning a Technology Convergence. May 18-25, 2007.
If you are interested in seeing if you can find a way to use some of these tools in your delivery of instruction or to boost your professional development, join Women of Web 2.0.
If you want to lurk to see if any of this information can be pertinent to your profession, go to iTunes and check out the education section of the podcasts. I guarantee you will find something informative you can listen to everyday for 30 days or you can have your money back! (You have nothing to lose since the podcasts at iTunes are FREE for you to download!) Who knows, after you listen for 30 days, you may be ready to post your own podcast for us to listen to. If you already have a podcast or blog, be sure to leave it in the comments, this is an offer you can't refuse!