Real Talk for Real Teachers
A book review by:
Iris Valladares
Richardson, W. (2006). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for
Classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
The short yet useful book/handbook, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms by Will Richardson, talks to the reader directly and clearly. Richardson uses his book to communicate to teachers the importance of integrating the technology that students use as meaningless entertainment and converting it to a powerful classroom tool that enhances learning.
The chapter I studied “Weblogs: Get Started!,” gave a detailed description on how a classroom blog should be set up and administered. The chapter focuses on the idea that a teacher should start a blog and feel comfortable using one independently before introducing the concept to students. The chapter continues to explain the software and websites available to the general public, having in mind that there is still no blog specifically designed for the classroom setting. Therefore, Richardson stresses the importance of school policies, parent permission and proper administration communication to prevent legal issues. Finally, the chapter provides step-by-step instruction on how to successfully start a blog on blogger.com and simple changes you can make to enhance the site for teacher needs.
Richardson’s writing can be translated as real talk for real teachers, he writes as if he is talking to a teacher who understands technology but needs assistance with the new aspects of the “Read/Write Web.” Step by step instructions combined with Richardson’s classroom experience, and detailed explanations make this book a great tool for a teachers at all levels.
A book review by:
Iris Valladares
Richardson, W. (2006). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for
Classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
The short yet useful book/handbook, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms by Will Richardson, talks to the reader directly and clearly. Richardson uses his book to communicate to teachers the importance of integrating the technology that students use as meaningless entertainment and converting it to a powerful classroom tool that enhances learning.
The chapter I studied “Weblogs: Get Started!,” gave a detailed description on how a classroom blog should be set up and administered. The chapter focuses on the idea that a teacher should start a blog and feel comfortable using one independently before introducing the concept to students. The chapter continues to explain the software and websites available to the general public, having in mind that there is still no blog specifically designed for the classroom setting. Therefore, Richardson stresses the importance of school policies, parent permission and proper administration communication to prevent legal issues. Finally, the chapter provides step-by-step instruction on how to successfully start a blog on blogger.com and simple changes you can make to enhance the site for teacher needs.
Richardson’s writing can be translated as real talk for real teachers, he writes as if he is talking to a teacher who understands technology but needs assistance with the new aspects of the “Read/Write Web.” Step by step instructions combined with Richardson’s classroom experience, and detailed explanations make this book a great tool for a teachers at all levels.
1 comment:
Iris, I like the way you have designed your site. It looks fresh and cool and the photographs of your school, in the art deco design with those big windows, really liven up the site. I suppose I ought to have been commenting on your book review but thought I'd let you know that after seeing yours, I'm motivated to improve my blog page.
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