Educating my family about the exciting world of web 2.0.

Since the inception of this course I was awakened by the variety of technology that exists out there. I have heard others speak of it but to really learn about it and see the many uses of web 2.0 is just incredible. I remember the first night after class I discussed with my husband some of the things we had scheduled to learn and he was just as eager to learn about web 2.0. My brother who is also a teacher was also intrigued by some of the things that I mentioned to him as well. Every week I inform them both about my newly acquired web 2.0 knowledge.

Technology is a teacher all by itself. At present, I am teaching my three year old son the letter sounds with a great interactive website that my dear friend Shasta revealed to me. It’s just so much fun we both have together. He has some trouble to move the cursor but with practice he will manage it quite well. My seven month old baby loves to hear the sounds as well. Technology is not just for adults but for all.

"It has become appallingly obvious that

our technology has exceeded our humanity."

Albert Einstein

Concept mapping technology is unleashing your hidden creativity.

Webspiration is an effective organizing tool. The persons who created this piece of software are very gifted individuals. The various activities that can be done with this web programme are truly unbelievable. Planning no longer needs paper and pencil, just a computer and an internet connection. I just have to say that we, the M. Ed. Students are quite fortunate to be exposed to such technology. This concept mapping software is time efficient since you brainstorm, draft, revise, edit and publish all in one.

It allows the individual to reflect and harness his creativity. The product is easy to read and interpret since it is a visual representation of one’s ideas. The colourful bubbles and linking words immediately indicate the person’s views on a particular topic. I love webspiration since you can even colour code and insert pictures, which makes the presented information interesting to read or even glimpse.

Semantic mapping is used from infants in creative writing, so that stories can be planned and written correctly. Children have fun looking at pictures or realia and completing such an activity. Imagine how much enjoyment using this type of programme will bring to the classroom. Concept mapping can also be used to teach topics in all subject areas. My principal has already asked me to conduct a mini-workshop on implementing the “Reading Inventory” in my school. I intend to use webspiration to introduce the concepts with this topic. This technology course is just so informative and mind blowing.

“With webspiration you focus on developing and connecting ideas.”

Retrieved from:
http://www.mind-mapping.org/mind-mapping-software/40