“Blogging About the Web 2.0 Connected Classroom”

Steven holds a Bachelors of Science in Middle Grade Mathematics and Science Education from Western Carolina University and a Master of Arts in Education in Instructional Technology from East Carolina University. His teaching career began in 2004 at the Gateway Prep. Academy teaching 7th and 8th grade students who were more than 2 years off of grade level in hopes they could return to their regular school to be successful. Anderson then moved to Clemmons Middle School teaching science for 5 years and then left to serve as the District Instructional Technologist for Stokes County Schools. In January 2010, he returned to Clemmons Middle School as the Instructional Technologist, working with teachers and students on technology integration. Steven has been a presenter at several area technology conferences and meetings as well as served as a panelist at the #140 Conference in Los Angeles. He is also responsible in helping create #edchat, a weekly education discussion on Twitter that boosts over 500 weekly participants.

He currently holds the position as Instructional Technologist at Clemmons Middle School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

His blog can be found here: http://web20classroom.blogspot.com

Why technology?

I’ve always liked computers. (The first computer I owned I took it home, took it apart, and then put it back together). While in school, I was a part of a teacher prep program, and it happen to be one of the only teacher prep courses that had a technology component. It made me start looking into other ways to incorporate technology into my teaching. When I first started teaching, they had given us these student response systems and was told we were going to have to attend a workshop to learn how to use them. I got ahold of one early and learned how it worked. I’ve always been the type of person when I get something I really digest it and dissect it. During the workshop, I found myself teaching my fellow peers. I was able to explain it’s functions to everyone and understand how I would be using this in my class. Technology fits in some classrooms and not easily in others. There is so much potential of technology use in the classroom, but so many teachers are being taught wrong. So I went and got my Masters of Art in Education in Instructional Technology to learn more and so I could teach teachers the right way. I proposed a different way of thinking in my schools by introducing these tools with a purpose. The purpose was to change engagement of students that would pay off with student achievement. And that’s what I do. I’m very fortunate that I get to do what I love.

Why did you start blogging?

My current blog, “Blogging About the Web 2.0 Connected Classroom” started about 2 years ago when I was working with my former school district made up of 19 schools. It was a way for me to talk to everyone and share resources that I found interesting.

How do you integrate technology in your classroom?

After my first year of teaching, I was finishing up a unit and wanted to see how my students were doing. I wanted to make sure I was teaching them correctly. Using the student response system, I was able to pop up a question and have my students punch in their answers. I like this tool because it engages them and provides me with information that shows me if I’m doing my job right. I also have used SMARTboards, podcasts, wikis, blogs, and having kids webquest for other kids in the class. You need to start with one piece of technology and see how that is engages your class. If it works, keep using it. If not, then find something else. Teachers need to get away from creating them all themselves because kids need to have that sense of creativity too. Now that I’m out of the classroom, I try to help other teachers understand this way of teaching.

Why do you think it’s so important to join these Personal Learning Networks (PLN)?

For a long time, a teacher could go into their classroom, close their door, and no one knew what they were doing. They were so isolated. By joining a Personal Learning Network, you are forming a group outside of your district with other teachers with similar interests. Before these groups, if I planned a lesson that didn’t work the only person I could talk to was myself because I was the only science teacher in my hall. Now with my PLN, I can post this lesson that didn’t work out and instantly get 15 new ideas. That’s huge! You have to realize that even if you’re the only teacher in your building teaching science, you’re not the only one in the world! These PLNs are great when looking for feedback, advice, or even as a mentor in your first year teaching. These networks are something teachers crave. Even Twitter has turned into more than what you had for breakfast. It’s now used for solid good learning.

To learn more about Steven’s PLN read, “Why Makes A Personal Learning Network Valuable To You?”

What advice can you give others to stay connected in the classroom?

Twitter is a great way to stay connected, although many people are skeptical. Here’s my advice. Join Twitter and find 5 people who you know. Follow me (web20classroom), #edchat, and education based lists. Then look to see who matches up with your teaching and thinking. Time is a big issue here. I know I can’t do all this stuff on my own because I don’t have the time, so I follow the topics I want and engage in the right conversations. In the long run, you’ll see it’s worth your time. When you go to your class and use some of the ideas you’ve learned from these networks you’ll see how engaged your students are.  You’ll understand why the effort are well worth it.

What is the best way to create a hashtag on Twitter?

When it comes to hashtags, I go to Twitter and search for something I think I want to use. If it already exists and relates to your topic then use it to join in the conversation. If not, you don’t want your hashtag getting confused with another one that already exists. Always remember that the shorter, the better. The more letters you use in your hashtag, the less you will have to use in your tweet.

Why do you think some teachers are hesitant to use technology in their classrooms?

The problem at my school was they were trying to cram too many things in a short period of time. I think I lot of people in my position will tell you to start with one thing. Focus on creating a longer timeframe for these teachers to use these tools in their classroom and then return to you with feedback.  I had one teacher who was reluctant to use technology in her classroom. When I sat down and took the time to explain the steps to this teacher, she realized how much she liked it and went out on her own and started learning more. I can’t teach anyone how to learn an entire website in a day, but let’s start with one step and master that. Many of these reluctant educators are scared. They don’t want to look like they don’t know what they’re doing in front of their class. They have to also realize asking their students for help is okay. They can all learn together.

For suggestions for improving the quality of professional development read, “Professional Development And The Modern Teacher”

This is part of Schoology’s Behind the Blog: EduBlogger Series. The Schoology Team would like to thank all of the wonderful education bloggers who have participated in the series. For more information about Schoology and these bloggers, please contact Crystal Grandison, Schoology Community Manager, via email crystal@schoology.com.