My monthly webcast, Teachers are Talking, took place last night We had a guest panel discussing students and networks. In a discussion with our guests after the show, someone spoke about teachers and technology. He said, “Using technology is a mind set not a skill set.” In our project with you I have seen this exemplified in many ways. People who were not heavy technology users opened their minds to the possibilities and saw how it could make a difference to their students. Instead of seeing technology as a barrier, you have taken steps to integrate it in ways that have enriched your classrooms.

The mind set of being lifelong learners is part of what is needed. And so is letting go and letting our students teach us. My webcast partner, Lisa, keeps talking about telling her students, “Let’s learn this together.”

Working with web 2.0 technology lets us empower our students to share their voices with the world and it is up to us to teach them how to do it in safe and constructive ways. One of our teachers has done just that with her cycle one students. Please visit the blog she set up to keep her parents informed. http://teacher102.edublogs.org/ She has set herself challenges to learn to use some new tools because she saw the value of using them with her students and the school community. It has changed the way she does some things in her class.

Have a look at the delightful animal VoiceThreads. Take a moment to comment on her students’ work. It is a powerful way of telling students that their work is valued and important. I know that technology was not a big part of Mary Ellen’s teaching, but she has embraced the possibilities, not because she wanted to learn the skills, but because she has seen the excitement and commitment on the part of her students when they are involved in projects that go beyond the classroom walls. Bravo!

Susan