The Ontario College of Teachers issued a professional advisory on the use of Electronic Communication and Social Media early last year. The advisory addresses concerns about teachers using intenet tools in class. It is important that school boards make up policies regarding internet usage. These guidelines not only recognize the increasing popularity of Web 2.0 tools but also give a framework that teachers can work within. Incorporating technology in the classroom is becoming less and less of a choice as more and more students are engaged in TPACK at a level at or beyond their teachers'.
My techonogy course at Brock University has introduced me to numerous Web2.0 tools that can be incorporated into a classroom. This blog is one of the tools I was introduced to these last couple months. Presentation tools like Sliderocket, Popplet and Prezi are online programs that would help to engage students in individual or group projects.
This advisory emphasizes the importance of teachers maintaining a professional image online. Represent yourself the same in social media as you do in person.
Maintaining this professional image is both a positive and negative point. Most teachers do not have an online presence and wouldn't know how to start. Others have an online presence that is not as professional and need to make adjustments to that. Hopefully school principals will get on board and encourage professional development in using the online tools available to enhance the learning environment.
Tags: technology in the classroom, TPACK, Prezi, Sliderocket, Popplet, Blogging, OCT,
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