Last Wednesday evening, from 3:30-5:30, I met with the English HS department to revise old and create new curriculum. You will be proud to know our lessons and units centered on Quadrant D - higher-level thinking and performing goals for kids. I am honored as teacher-librarian to be included in this group and have been asked to assist in writing a NEW popular fiction course. Afterwards, from 5:30-6:30, I taught two HS science teachers how to create and use a blog and a wiki. These activities were unpaid time on the clock; yet if we are going to offer our students 21st century learning activities, we must take the time to collaborate, prepare, and prepare ourselves. Learning to use the read / write tools available in today's technological world requires us to become pioneers, get moving, and begin to explore! We have just stepped into a new era of thinking and delivering in the classroom!

Please don't talk the age thing; I tip the higher end of the scale. It's not an age thing. The possibilities of Web 2.0 are quite new to everyone--no matter of age. Schools and society, as a whole, need to take a look at these new tools of communication. The Internet is the textbook and the vehicle to reach others. The assignments need to be refreshing and thought-provoking that discourage cutting and pasting but instead allow for student originality, creative and critical thinking. The presentation materials need to move beyond the posters, colored markers, and notebook / computer paper...move to blogs, wikis, and oral discussions with others. Do you think students are prepared to say..."Here is what I know, here is what I think and suggest. Now, what are your questions and thoughts for me to address?" Would our students come into this assessment process, a bit more prepared? Would they go forth remembering what they learned and be inspired to continue learning more about the topic or lesson shared? That's how we really need to teach...teaching students to be self-motivational learners?
...Just the two-cents worth from a 55+ teacher's outlook on education!