The effects of Web 2.0 Training on Northbrook Middle School Project Update

My action research project is progressing ok at the moment.  At the end of last year my project was progressing very well, but thing have slowed down because I am on a new campus this year.   Over the next 6 weeks I plan to have it completed and reviewed by me and my site supervisor.  I have been looking at the effects of the districts web 2.0 training on my camps and the effects it had on teachers using them in their classroom.   I have found interning data so far from my conversation, interviews, and survey form teachers and staff.  One of my baggiest finding so for is that the district has provided classroom teachers with plenty of technology tools and some training to use them, but still has not yet found a way to get teachers to use them consistently in their classroom.   I still need to complete some more classroom observations and interviews before I will fill I have enough information to complete my project.   From my survey many teacher do not cite a lack of understanding hot to use the technology tools as a factory in them not using them, but many suggest time is the biggest factor in incorporating these tools into their lesson plans.   My principal is very interested in my finding because she knows that the district has spent a large amount of money on technology and it  will play a major role in student success in the future of education.  I am confident that I will be able to complete my plan in the next 6 weeks. 

How would you implement the use of web sites into a PK-12 classroom?

I would implement the use of websites in to a pk-12 classroom as a learning and creative tool for my students.   I would teach students how to create their own website to share and promote their ideas with others.  I would first teach them the importance of internet safety and self-branding and how it could affect their life in the future.  I would talk to them about the theme and purpose of their website, what message they want to convey with it. 

I would teach them about the 4 core principles of design and how they can use them when they create their website.   Using website as a teaching tool will allow students to be creative with all the different web tools on the net for them to learn and choose from for their site.  I would give them a list of tools they could use and have them share any tools they have found useful to them.   As the internet becomes more accessible to more people, the skills students will learn by creating their own website will help them in college and beyond.