6.+Lessons+Learned

**__Lessons Learned__**

 * ===**Internet/Web is a language... powerful tool**===
 * ===**Wikispaces are awesome**===
 * ===**The power of Links & widgits (how to embed)**===
 * ===**Using Podcasts & Camstudio**===
 * ===**Better at Excel**===
 * ===**How the internet really works**===
 * ===**RSS Feed**===
 * ===**Utilizing bookmarks & linking sites**===
 * ===**Appreciation for video games... kinda**===

===I am very happy about the class I took this summer. Education 538 was a learning filled experience, giving me applicable tools for my real world teaching position. Though this class did not follow a textbook, have a 'normal' schedule, or require any tests or quizzes, it was probably one of the best classes I have ever taken (Top 3 from the MIT program). The lack of time oppression (driving daily, too many 'busy' hours, excessive lecture), combined with the applicability of the course content (10 new Tools that I can explore & utilize), made the format of this summer class capture my learning & creative focus. I worked hard to investigate what tools would work for me, and along the way I had some crucial synapse connecting & career dreaming. I even got real excited about the potential and opportunities that ED538 stirred up in me, and thought about creating a new Wiki or Webstart that I would present to the MIT student the last day of class. It would be a learning space for them, including links to critical books, videos, music, and information that I think every teacher should understand and incorporate into their lesson plans. It will talk about the truth of the system... and I will make it soon enough though, and definitely send you a link.=== ===The lessons I learned in the class were profound. I have started thinking about online or the web as a language. As a new father... this class has inspired me to question my views on computers & the net. Should my son learn to speak and understand English, Spanish, Hebrew //& the Internet?//=== ===I know I got rid of my TV 5 years ago for a reason... but my wife and I do have //and except// computers in our house. We watch DVDs occasionally, explore the web, and I only use the internet for emails, craigslist, ebay, price & quality checking, and trouble-shooting problems. I have a Myspace... but is basically abandoned. My wife Facebook's a bit, but we didn't use the web/internet for much more.=== ===This class has changed that. I have been inspired to make more learning spaces, and maybe even host a blog. All these other possibilities exist... and this class has helped highlight the tip of the iceberg. I now think I want my son to learn how to operate, create, and filter through this vast Web of online information. I plan to help my son create a wiki or learning space one day, and we will continue to bookmark, link, and add content to enrich our site and strengthen our lives... by speaking a using a language that is spoken in every continent. It is true that there are plenty of bad words, rude attitudes, and jokes & stories that I don't care to hear, but that should not make a beautiful and new language not worth appreciating and participating in. I also like the idea of saying 'Learning Space' much more then 'Website'.=== ===I am planning on using learning spaces in my classes, and though Wiki's are great, I might check out the Netvibes frontier. Learning spaces are awesome tools for teachers & students, and will help me to be more organized, meet diverse learners needs, and keep the class enthused and engaged in the course. It will allow me to post assignments, keep class content constantly accessible, and provide plenty of resources that students can use and get ideas from. I am going to talk with the Principal at Bryant, and once she is on-board I want a Space for all my classes. I will keep using many of the other tools also, and attempt to make this technology more accessible to students and other teachers.===

//Oh what a different world we could be, if we all unite & choose differently//

 * ~Ziryab~**