Blog #4 Technology that Supports Collaboration and Communication

Boss & Krauss (2007) ask if "we can give students opportunities to get their own information, develop their own stories, and share these stories with others" (p. 50). The technology that we integrate to promote collaboration and communication into classroom learning addresses these basic literacy concerns and empowers students to discover and share , thereby enriching their knowledge and themselves. Because learning is a social activity, good collaborative and communication tools promote good learning. Teachers cannot know every available tool, but as teachers keep in mind the essential learning functions (p. 52), they can enable students to pursue "passion-based learning" with appropriate tools.
To help both me and my students to become more tech savvy, I will display a chart in my classroom that lists the eight essential learning functions with examples of suitable tools for each category (p. 54). As I make assignments throughout the year, I will also require students to discuss the best way to use technology and how to proceed with their assignments and projects. I expect to add to the chart as these discussions broaden the possibilities and as technological advances are made. Our goal will be to discover new tools, explore what they have to offer, and add to our chart. After students have used a tool, they will evaluate its tool effectiveness and appropriateness for the type of project for which it was used. Becoming "tool savvy" empowers students to get the information they need and to process it in the best way possible.