Advanced Technology in Schools: order of presentation

(originally posted on eduspaces.net)

I have been struggling somewhat in figuring out the most sensible order for introducing web 2.0 tools in a 3 week course. Should I start with the goal (personal learning environments) and then explore the different venues for creating a PLE? Or start with the tools and end up with a good application for using them as a professional growth tool?

In three weeks, we don’t have a lot of time to grow in our use of tools such as blogging or social bookmarking, so it seemed more reasonable to start with the tools and applications of those tools, albeit in a rather separated manner, and then end up with a glimpse of what the future might hold (the PLE).

At this moment, I have planned to begin with Social Bookmarking (how to effectively collect information and find it again later!) and then segue into blogs and wikis. We do have a few non-web-2.0 things to cover as well. I want to show the students some whiteboard/web conferencing software; eXe and basic e-learning design principles; take some time to look at e-portfolios; and get an introduction to using an LMS (moodle, in our case).

If we can, we are going to read a manuscript from a colleague and provide some feedback on topics we cover in the class. I think the students will find it interesting to correspond with the author!