January 29th, 2008
Chapter 6, Community Building With Technologies

Textbook questions

1.What responsibilities do teacher and students share in cultivating a learning community in the classroom? How can technology serve the goals of a learning community, and how might technology get in the way?

Each individual in the classroom has a responsibility when developing a learning community using technology. ‘A user community creates a database where notes are stored, ideas are connected, and knowledge produced’ the teacher posts the notes and the students share ideas, which helps them own the knowledge (Jonassen et al. 2008, p.102). Technology might get in the way if the teacher disconnects and gives too much freedom. Even if technology is used, teachers should ‘provide and overall framework for their work’, if that is not done, it will ‘result in unfocused, unproductive time spent’ with technology (Jonassen et al. 2008, p.111).


2. With technology-supported learning communities, students learn different things at different speeds. How can a teacher keep track of students’ various learning needs and make sure everyone is progressing well?

Teachers can use programs such as wiki or blogs to track students’ progress.
Students post their work and ideas and this way the teacher will see at what level the student is and if they are progressing well. Also, blogs ‘encourage students who wouldn’t normally participate in class discussions’ (Jonassen et al. 2008 p.113) to express themselves. This helps teachers track these students’ understanding and progress; without technology, these students’ voices wouldn’t be heard.

Journal Entry

I always thought that making a webpage would be a very complicated thing to make. I spoke to my husband about making a webpage a while ago, and we actually went out to a bookstore and bought 2 books about making webpages. It was a bit complicated so their still lying in the library at home. When I came home on Wednesday night, I was very excited to show him how simple Nvu was.

When such programs are introduced to me, it makes me optimistic about using technology in my classroom. I always thought that I would use the simplest technology in my classroom (Microsoft word and maybe power point). Also, now that I read about different ways of using technology I realize that they can be very useful to me and to my classroom. Knowledge Forum, Wiki, and blogs are a very good way for students to convey understanding to the teacher and to their fellow students. As stated, it is a great way to encourage and create ‘a community of learners’ in the classroom (Jonassen et al, 2008, p.113).


As Johnassen et al (2008, p.120) states, teachers should clearly define and scadfold the objectives of the task at hand. This way, students will use technology properly and the task won’t be wasted.

Also I realized how important it is for teachers to communicate security concerns with their students. I think it’s a great idea that Mrs.Walford reads posts before they’re entered on the blog and onto the World Wide Web. This way, she will make sure that the students don’t post any personal information about themselves (Jonassen et al. 2008 p.117).

Teachers should not only inform students about their personal safety but also about the bad information that might be online. I agree with November when he states that ‘the internet is a free and open global forum where anyone can express any version of the truth. It represents the most dangerous information environments’ (November 2001, p.29). Because students are untrained to think critically, they will believe whatever they read and that is why we need to inform them about the incorrect information that they might encounter.

I never knew that a URL can say so much about a Web Address. I never knew that the abutz gives away that it’s a personal Web site (November, 2008, p.32) We should inform our students about this before getting them to surf the World Wide Web for accurate information.