Reflection #2

So far using the wikis and Google Docs has been the most beneficial to me. Each has made collaboration a new experience. The ELC is also a positive way to collaborate but there is something so ... assessing about it. Like I know that I am being assessed and somehow that changes it. The use of blogs to collaborate is not as smooth. I love using the blogs but it is more for stream of consciousness as opposed to chatting or exchanging information.

Oh my goodness, I am so excited about the tools that are available. Not only for me but also for my students. There are so many ways to get information and even the Web 2.0 directory is a great place to send students to look for all that they may need. I am also excited to know of the online schools that are already running. Not only are there several more than I had expected, there are many who are already working out the kinks. I think that I had a bit of a jump on the virtual schools thing because of my initiative so I am not sure that I can answer the part of the question in regards to the order that the information was presented it. However, I had no idea what to expect so I think that there was still an element of ‘unknowing’ present. I think that it worked just right because if I were presented with the virtual school idea before the web 2.0 stuff it may seem way too far out! Getting familiar with enough of the tools that seem so...Jetson's-like...was a good introduction. It gave me a sense of- oh I see, hmm so many tools, so little time.

I think that a traditional school district can learn from any of the virtual schools and how they deal with the safety and netiquette, etc. By seeing that is works may ease some of the many hesitations when it comes to using the Internet. So many of the fears are based on NOT using it and not getting passed the fears of the unknown. There are always going to be students that give us reasons for having policies in place. The need for legal aspects of areas like cyber bullying are necessary to have in place, it is just smart practice but if school districts would take a few risks they would see that it works to have students using the internet for online classes. They would be able to benefit from the results. The truth is that not that much has to happen for students to have online classes, safely. Once they are engaged they are engaged and the fear of misuse is not as founded, most of the time. Again having the legalities in place is a necessary factor but only, like anything, for practical reasons.