Article Assesment 2

Michael Bauzon
michael_bauzon@hotmail.com

The Educator's Guide to the Read/Write Web

Will Richardson

In this article, Richardson first explains the internet's most popular tools among information writers and seekers. The technologies he discusses include weblogs, wikis, podcasting, and Really Simple Syndication, or RSS. These tools allow students to work outside of school, keep a progressive electronic track of a student's work history, and in effect encourage collaboration.

Richardson says that "teachers must consider whether our curriculums should change now that staudents have the ability to reach audiences far beyond our classroom walls and to acquire their own primary sources." These changes in curriculum may also bring about different views of literacy now that the works of web writers are accessible to large audiences. Since there exists so much information, one of the defining abilities of being web-literate includes being able to "skillfully manage the flood of information now available."

Finally, as with any internet tool, Richardson discusses the risks of online usage regarding privacy issues and safety precautions.

Some of the internet tools Richardson discusses are:

• Weblogs: AKA simply as blogs, they allow anyone to create a personal web site. One can post pictures, text, and provide links to other types of multimedia online.


• Wikis: Wiki, the Hawaiian word for quick, is a Web site that anyone can edit at anytime


• RSS: Really Simple Syndication enables people to check on information as it comes in.


• Podcasting: Creating your own radio programs to be posted on the Web.

This article was very informative. Richardson explained the different web tools well, and gave me ideas about where to go next in researching ways to incorporate these technologies in my classroom. After setting up my teacher blog, the school's jounalism advisor set up a blog for the school, doubling as a school newspaper. As for me, I use a weblog to post current homework assignments. The students and many of the parents love it.

Weblogs are very useful tools for teachers that require journal entries or other reflective activities. Wikis must be used with care, as information must be supported with other reliable sources. Wikis do give a good start. As for the other technologies mentioned in the article, I don't see myself using these others yet. I teach math and chemistry, so textbooks are still very valuable. I also require special typing software (which I haven't purchased yet) that allow math and chemistry subscripts to be neatly scripted.