First Week of 535

As this class deals with using web tools to enhance our classroom instruction, it is only fitting that our initial text deals with the specific tools that can be used to incorporate technology into our learning environments.  Our text of "Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms," not only does a great job of explaining the various web-based applications that can enhance our classroom comprehension, but also points out the shift in how we should teach.  One of the biggest take aways that I can use from this book is how the classroom should be viewed as less of a "teacher-learner" atmosphere, and more of a constant, "everyone is a learner" environment.  It also helps to cultivate a classroom where is not only allowed, but encouraged.  As a math instructor, I always try to emphasize that there is not one correct way to do a problem; and it may take several attempts to find which way works out best for each individual learner.  Also, in terms of possibly incorporating a blog into a math classroom, where as I haven't thought of anything concrete, it would be nice to have a venue where the students can express their thoughts, or even pose questions to a larger community.