The beginning...

Since owning my first home computer, a Texas Instruments, I have always loved technology! Blogging... not so much.  However, I am thrilled with this assignment for my EDES 501 course through the University of Alberta Teacher-Librarianship by Distance Learning program.  This assignment will push me to commit to blogging, sharing my learning with you, while exploring something I value and love... technology in my school, library and classroom.

Despite being familiar with an array of Web 2.0 tools, I know there is a vast world of collective knowledge and powerful collaboration that goes well beyond my current practice. I intend to push myself out of my comfort zone and really dig into these new territories. For my weekly blog, I'll be looking at a variety of Web 2.0 tools using two different lenses.  First, I will explore the technology for myself first, as author Will Richardson would recommend.  I'll consider the ways that I can use each web tool to support my personal interests and professional learning. Secondly, I'll think about these tools from the lens of the classroom teacher, staff developer and teacher-librarian. Here, I'll be thinking and demonstrating how I see these tools being used to make learning powerful for my students, both student and teacher learners, to extend beyond "work we used to do with pen and pencil simply published in a different way." (Richardson)

If you are brand new to Web 2.0 tools, I hope my blog will inspire you to take a risk, explore the tools for yourself and your students.  If you are feeling comfortable with technology, I hope I can push you a little further, out of your comfort zone, too. Mostly because I believe that we can't grow without pushing the envelope a little. If you are an experienced and master educational technologist, I invite you to help extend my thinking by sharing your knowledge and expertise.  Regardless of your motivation for reading my blog, I hope that you will enjoy learning along with me.

Stay tuned... photo sharing next week!