Down to crunch time in preparing for the Web 2.0 class I will be teaching starting next week.  I have been “messing around” with this stuff for a while now so I know I will have some great things to share.  I am truly excited and many of my teachers are as well.  There are over 20 signed up at this point!  The more the merrier.

 I found a great mind mapping site.  I have never used Inspiration before, but someone told me it is similar to this Web 2.0 software.  Except, I pointed out, that mind meister is free and you can share it with others, they can edit it, etc…..2.0!

mindmeister.com

I have also started a twitter account–mwaiksnis.  Interesting to follow when you can.  I have come across many ideas on twitter.  Like reading blogs, but much more compact!

On a side note, I wonder when Web 2.0 (the term) is going to go out of fashion.  It is hard enough trying to keep up with all of this stuff, I hope someone sends me a warning when to stop using the term.  It is not already too late is it?

Does anyone know of a free online polling service?  I would like to be able to do this during a staff development on lap tops.  We currently have Promethean boards that can do this, but not all of my teachers have the boards.  Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I am about to begin teaching a Web 2.0 class.  No, I did not recently complete my Ph.D. (or start it for that matter) and the teaching job it is not at a fancy college or university.  I am not presenting at a prestigious national conference.  It is much more powerful and important that that.  I am teaching this class to teachers at my school who are interested in learning more about using technology in the classroom.  It is really a professional development series, but a course none the less!

 I have been throwing bits of information out at my teachers about technology during the course of this year.  In my weekly updates I recently sentan article about using blogs and wikis in class.  One of our teachers loved the article and was fired up to learn more.  Her desire to use Web 2.0 really got me excited as well.  We already have several teachers blogging and podcasting, but I knew it was time to try and take it to the next level.

I have about 15 teachers signed on for this course.  The first thing I am going to tell them is that I am not an expert on this stuff!  I have been blogging and podcasting for a while now and I am comfortable with those two technologies.  I also know the need our schools have.  I am a big believer in transforming schools to meet the needs of our digital learners.  However, I have learned almost all of this one my own (with some technical assistance from my colleagues-thanks!).  I have figured it out by messing around and seeing what happens. 

I also entered the 2.0 world as an administrator.  I need to start thinking through the teacher lens.  I have a great course planned–and have the first couple of classes planned.  I think I can effectively make a case for the need for incorporating 2.0 technologies and will then venture into blogging and podcasting.  However, I know I need much more.

 What advice do you have for me for this course?  Do you have any solid examples of teachers using this in the classroom?  I would appreciate any assistance!