Chapter Six

In the chapter, "The Social Web: Learning Together," Richardson provides an overview of Twitterverse and Social bookmarking services.  He gives the reader simple step-by-step instructions to sign up and use these tools.  As I understand it, Twitter will allow me to "be a part of the larger conversation, more a part of the community" (87).  Richardson points out that this microblogging tool makes it easy to "ask questions and get answers, link to great blog posts or resources, or share ideas for projects" on an ongoing process.

In his discussion of social bookmarking services, Richardson attempts to address the user's concern for keeping track of all of the great information out there.  Richardson points out that social bookmarking services allow students to participate in "folksonomy", which is a collective sorting and categorizing of resources.  Richardson discusses two of these services: Diigo and Delicious.  He points out that the primary benefit of Diigo is that it has many advanced features, while the advantageous feature of Delicious is its simplicity for users. 

I am interested in trying Diigo because this service will allow me to highlight and annotate resources.  I can visualize the value of this feature for teaching students to read deeper into an assigned text.  This feature would allow students to read exemplar annotations and then try annotating text in a format that both I and their peers can comment.

I am also intrigued by the potential uses of twitter.  However, FHS currently bans cell phone usage during school.  I would love to see twitter used to replace the daily announcements and calling of students to the office over the PA system.  In the classroom, I would love to use twitter for review games and also to for immediate feedback assessment activities.  This is one tool that I know my students are currently using; it would be nice to connect a skill that they already have with the new skills and strategies that I want them to acquire.  I am aware of the potential problems associated with allowing students to use their phones in school, but I think that cell phones are a medium that can also be used in positive ways.

The following link is to a resources that gives some compelling reasons for allowing phones in school.
http://www.ehow.com/info_7876837_reasons-kids-should-phones-school.html

Richardson gives a convincing argument for improving the integration of technology with education.  Given the limited access to computers during the school day, I think cell phones might be a more practical way to begin using technology in the classroom.