Web 2.0 Educator

The Web 2.0 blogger that I investigated was Clay Burrell author of the blog Beyond School. Burrell seems to be an expert at using classroom technology to stay connected with the outside world. Clay is a Language Arts teacher that incorporates blogging, Skype, podcasts, Twitter, and YouTube to stay connected to the outside world. He also has his students use these programs to enhance their learning. In these aspects I feel that Clay Burrell is making excellent use of technology, and I am wondering if he has ever considered using a ventrillo server in any of his classes. Ventrillo is another program that is roughly similar to skype, but it is more often used in online gaming. I have used ventrillo servers in the past to speak with friends in New Orleans, Kentucky, Mexico, and even Turkey. The program essentially converts a computer into a large walkie talkie that the individual users designate their own "hot key" to press and speak directly with people all over the world through microphones and the speakers of a computer. I think that it would be a great tool to connect classrooms of students all over the world to experience collaborative lessons. Even if Burell does not use this server he is definitely making great use of the technology at his disposal.

I am a bit skeptical of Burrell's grading system though. He allows students to grade themselves, and also believes that If they fail an assignment outright, but made considerable risks in the process that they deserve an A. I'm unsure of how productive that this will end up being, although I do agree with him that it is important to let students do some self assessment, I just feel this method takes it a bit too far.

I really believe that Burrell has some very cutting edge thoughts on education, and I think that his networking assignments make really great use of cutting edge technology. While I don't agree with everything he says I do believe that he has a good handle on what it means to be a great teacher.