I will definitely use collaboration tools! Although I have used a blog for many years to post assignments and links for my students, it was not a collaborative effort. I will now use the many free collaborative tools available such as Google Docs, Blackboard Collaborate, Wikis, etc. Also, I will make an effort to incorporate social media because it has become the fabric of how our world communicates! Let's take advantage of these tools because in my opinion, not knowing how to use social networking tools or NOT having a working knowledge of these tools puts educators at a disadvantage. We must prepare our students how to excel with these skills and use them responsibly.
21st century tools are going to be a part of every educator's tool set, whether they like or not. With the addition of online grade books (such as Powerschool)and online testing, students and teachers are going to have learn or fall behind. My biggest fear is using social media with my middle school students. They are at a time in their lives where appropriateness is not mastered yet. If they have trouble controlling what comes out of their mouth how will they be able to control what they post. It would take some strong monitoring. I think it can be done but I don't want to be the first in my school to try it.
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