In Week 3 in EDU 651: Collaboration & Learning in a Virtual Environment. I learned...

This week in Collaboration & Learning in a Virtual Environment I had the opportunity to explore one of the most popular social networking websites Facebook.  Facebook is the perfect place for networking as well as using it as an educational tool.  There are so many different applications that can be used to help students understand a educational principle or a greater cause.  Lastly, using Facebook comes with a great responsibility; especially if adults are using it and are in an education occupation or setting.  A teacher in the Charlotte area was put under the microscope in 2008 for her actions, while using her Facebook page.  Using social networking websites comes with responsibility because you have to be aware of all of the functions and feature.  I have come to the conclusion that all professional deserve a private life, but still need to understand depending on the position; it is view upon by the community and public as important.

Note: Some things are better left unsaid.

In Week 2 in EDU 651: Collaboration & Learning in a Virtual Environment. I learned...

There are two (2) important things that I've learned this week in Collaboration & Learning in a Virtual Environment.  The first objective gave me the opportunity to view wikis in a different light.  Although, they are very positive and resourceful tools; there can also be cons, downfalls, and disadvantages to using them in the educational setting.  Now understanding wikis a little bit better now I see how they can be used inappropriately or even misinterpreted; depending on where the information on the wiki came from.  They can be used to help students complete a project or help them to become more knowledgeable on certain topics.  After doing some research myself - I found out how they can be used to target others students in a negative way, such as cyber-bulling.  Lastly there is what I like to call unreliable information or junk that is put on wiki that probably came from a personal opinion; instead of that information coming from a scholarly resource.

The second element I learned during week 2 is creating a lesson plan for a wiki that we will use in my future classroom.  I think my professor misunderstood my posting.  I took 3 related items that could work with each other, but they are all different projects.  I wanted my students to take the contents of creating a wiki that would allow the school to enjoy the wiki newsletter/newspaper, wiki FAQ's, and school wiki scrapbook; which helps with creating a blueprint for future students once they begin to do the same type of projects.  All 3 of these projects will are supposed to ultimately form into one big puzzle and resource for the entire school.