Ken+Hall's+page


 * Response to __We Are the Web__

In examining the roots of the World Wide Web, Kevin Kelly takes his readers on a journey through the history of the internet and what he foresees as the future. It seems almost as thought skepticism about all things internet have ultimately ended up proving the opposite to be true. What’s fascinating about the internet and the conclusions that can be drawn from Kelly’s article is that the people truly make the internet. It’s not nearly as corporate as one would imagine, but rather based on individuals producing and consuming each others material. It’s particularly interesting to note the idea that the consumers would never become producers. But with the internet, that theory has completely gone out the window. As Kelly stated, eBay and Amazon.com thrive on consumers as producers, because the people writing the reviews keep things moving. In addition, those who may have relied upon the internet as consumers are now producing materials, via blogs, you tube videos, and discussion forum websites. By all accounts, people who would use the internet for information or entertainment are creating the entertainment and information that others can use the web for. I think we’ve only touched upon the potential the internet has in our global society. However, I do think we need to become aware as we rely more and more on a consumer/producer driven entity, that not all information is reliable or accurate, and that we are still individuals with specific opinions and the ability to manipulate information to our own liking, just as everyone else on the internet is.

__Literacy in the 21st Century__

There is no question that literacy is changing very rapidly. In order to be a literate individual, one no longer can rely upon merely reading and writing. You must be able to use technology effectively and apply the basic literacy skills to that technology. The idea that prior to the advent of the internet, it was necessary to be able to read, comprehend, and write formally to be successful in the world is accurate. But now, that is not enough. Beginning with the increasing reliance on email, Microsoft Office programs, and the internet as a marketing and even sales tool, basic literacy skills are no longer enough to make your way successfully through the world. And that is only the very beginning. So literacy in education must change to reflect that. In order to teach our children to be successful in today’s ever changing world, we must change with the times as educators. It is not enough to teach them to be able to read and write and TYPE. They must be well versed in a variety of software that are used in today’s business world. But that is not enough either. They must be exposed to how to use technology to find information, sort information and apply the basic reading and writing skills to technological programs. They must have all the skills necessary to develop with what is current and be able to adapt to and learn independently future programs/software/technologies that are guaranteed to develop over their lifetime. This is only way they will become truly literate for the 21st century and its demands.

Voice Thread post**

http://voicethread.com/share/108209/


 * Classroom 2.0 Discussions**

[|Writing Portfolios]
That was the main focus. Before the state exams went 3-8, the city tested reading with citywide mulitple choice exams. This was considered the definitive reading assessment for the 3, 5, 6, and 7th... [|Continue] Added a reply May 13 

[|Differentiating Instruction in Technology] 9 Replies
I am a fourth grade teacher with a class of very diverse needs and talents. I have a few gifted students, a couple of ESL students, and several reading lab students who are reading far below grade ... [|Continue] Started this discussion. Last [|reply] by [|Mike] May 19. 

[|Writing Portfolios]
When I taught in a middle school in the city, we were developing a writing portfolio form of assessment. It was a tough go, because we had just made a major jump into using rubrics for assessing wr... [|Continue] Added a post May 13 

[|Book Recommendations for Gifted Readers 4-6]
I have used the Westing Game as well with higher level readers in fourth and fifth grade. They LOVE the books and hunting through the clues. While it's an older book, the characters are well drawn ... [|Continue] Tagged: [|books], [|gifted], [|elementary] Added a reply May 13 

[|K-5 Computer Education Programs - What are you doing?]
Hi Bill, In our building we don't have a dedicated instructional computer lab time. We have a sign up sheet for the lab that we are not "supposed" to use more than once a week or we can bumped. Ho... [|Continue] Tagged: [|education], [|office], [|computers], [|inspiration], [|elementary] Added a post May 13

Here goes again, since I lost the whole posting:

May 27, 2008 Responses to blogs:
 * Blog #1: Engaging Writing in the Classroom by Will Richardson**
 * [|http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/engaging-writing-in-the-classroom]**

I think it is very important that we, as educators, value all types of student writing. To do anything less would be a disservice to them and the learning process. While it is true that blogs and other social networking writings are short and informal, they can still be used to develop student writing skills. One of the hardest parts about teaching writing, is actually getting the students to write. They have difficulty coming up with topics and elaborating on them. In the world of blogs, students have a variety of things they enjoy writing about with their friends and the online community. This should be used to assist in the classroom, not be dismissed. One of the replies to the blog discusses a teacher that encouraged students to write in a journal. In our elementary literacy program, students keep a Writer's Notebook. In this notebook, they write down their own stories, ideas or responses to a question. Down the road, students may use these entries as the beginnings of a formal writing piece. If it can be done with a pencil and paper journal, why shouldn't it be done with an online journal? At face value, this Writer's Notebook is identical to a blog. The only differences are that one is online and the other is pencil and paper, and the online version has the potential for a far greater audience, which gives it a greater appeal to students. To use blogs as a Classroom 2.0 version of the Writer's Notebook, would be an effective way to combine traditional and modern approaches to literacy and give students a greater audience with their work.
 * My response:**

Another Naysayer Stirs the Pot [|http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/]
 * Blog #2:

My response:** I find it most interesting that in an attempt to show that today's generation lacks skills, Mark Bauerlein chooses to repeat the argument that has existed with every generation about the next. Technology always presents a fear of the unknown, something that the younger generation is often more adept at and uses more frequently. That will, lend the older generation to the argument that the children are worse off because of this new unknown. Previously, it was the radio or television. Now, the internet takes the blame. I agree with David Warlick's assessment that there is no reason to take the internet out of the classroom. Is it true that students more often than not will use technology for social networking and gaming as their main focus? Of course. But does that mean that we shouldn't, in the classroom show them how to use it for other educational resources? In today's work environment technology is becoming more and more prevalent, as a way of communicating, distributing, researching and presenting information. To not show students how this occurs would not be preparing them to be literate in a changing world. The internet allows us to have an incredible wealth of information at our hands in few seconds, unlike having to do direct research through a library. If people know how to use it, and use it effectively, they are going to be better off than they would have without it. By bringing the internet into the classroom, we are showing students how to use it to get what they need. They have become adept at social networking out of interest and the desire to connect. We can show them the other facets of the net. I also agree that the internet should not be used solely for the purpose of improving test scores. This takes the interest and desire out of it. By giving students the ability to use the internet for what both interests them and what they NEED it for, we are creating a group of individuals that will help the internet reach a greater potential as a tool, as well as creating a group of students who will become life long learners because they realize that the uses for things are many. By exploring and learning, they can understand how to use the internet in ways that will help them succeed in a variety of areas in the future.

Final Project 

http://docs.google.com/Present?docid=dc3k34zb_13dndqgjc5