Journal 2: School 2.0 Reflection Tool

NETS-T I
In this assignment I wrote a blog post exploring a NETS-T standard and explored an article related to that.

I choose NETS-T 1 which is to "Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity". From with in the NETS-T, I choose to explore topic three “I engage students in reflecting on and clarifying their own thinking, planning, and creative processes, in correcting misconceptions, and in using meta-cognitive thinking strategies with collaborative tools and environments”. The resource I then explored was Google Groups. I choose NETS-T topic and site because I believe that it can help engage students in their own learning. It not only helps them connect to other students around the world but they can actively participate using devices such as a smart phone to participate. This is important because as information becomes easier to access, we as educators can allow them to use the devices they are most comfortable using to get to the information.

This free online tool allows students to actively engage other students and classrooms all over the world. Students can explore a wide variety of already established groups to research or just talk about different content areas. The site also allows them to share multiple files types over a message board type system or through email, giving students the ability to share ideas or calibrate on assignments easily. Students can also give themselves badges to distinguish them selves in a group, making it more engaging. The most exciting feature that Google groups offers is the ability to translate post. One could imagine students in California engaging students in japan on the same topic and collaborating. Teachers also have the ability to create a classroom group that limits not only who can join the group, but also filter the type of conversations held with in the group. This gives the set up group a level of security for students to explore freely. The site offers students a way to engage their own learning and explore and discuss topics using a verity of devices to do so.

The only downfall seems to be that students need to have a Google account, which has an age restriction of 13. Though because of many public Google groups that can be accessed by students at home, the age restriction seems appropriate safety measure.