This blog is again dedicated to the second indicator for the National Education Technology Standards (for Teachers), which is the following:

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S.

Teachers:

a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress

c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities usingdigital tools and resources

d. provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching

Again, click here to see all the indicators: http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf

For this post, I'm going to focus on the b) portion of indicator 2:
b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress

I was hoping to begin having my students create wikis at the beginning of this trimester (which started yesterday). I wanted the wikis to be a way for students to introduce themselves to each other and to me - a place they could make their own so we could see their individuality, and also to see our commonalities. But, I'm not comfortable yet with wikis. I don't think I could explain them well enough to the students (especially since I found out, when I asked a class if it knew what wikis were, only a couple out of 20 actually knew). So ... that part of the development of using wikis in my class will have to wait until next year.

However, section b) discusses students being active participants in setting their own educational goals. I think that's what I'll do this trimester: have the students help me set up these wikis for my next group of honors English students. In looking at the syllabus, how can we incorporate wikis? Asking this question of my students, and letting them explore possibilities, will let them play an active role in their education. I can't wait to see what the creative little darlings dream up!

And, I hate to be such a Vygotskyphile, but golly, I love the man. His idea of constructivism (see it here at http://www.learning-theories.com/vygotskys-social-learning-theory.html) really fits in well with this idea. The collaboration between my students and me is not only beneficial for them ... it's fun for me!