Choosing the Right Tool for the Right Reasons

As we begin thinking about incorporating more Web 2.0 tools into Upper School, we need to constantly be asking the right questions -- and selecting the tools that work for our students, as well as for us. After our "Crustaceans and Conversations" meeting, it seemed like we all agreed that it'd be cool to create a shared space for students and teachers in an individual grade (7th, for now) to write, reflect, see assignments, post work, etc. 

Then we moved into a discussion of which might be the right tool for the job -- iGoogle? Ning? Elgg? (as suggested by a Twitterer). I set up a test-Ning for us to play with, and after speaking with Jen yesterday, it sounds like she and Kathleen J. are playing with an English-only Ning. But I was reminded that the tool  is far less important than the pedagogy after reading a recent post from Richard Kassisieh about BLC08 where he reflected that:

"I was disappointed by what I saw as overemphasis on tools and relatively weak discussion of pedagogy. Does this mean that educational technologists need to develop stronger dialogue around pedagogy? Yes. Can I better structure my workshops on this topic? Definitely. It may be time for me to narrow the discussion to constructivist teaching with technology rather than trying to cast a wide net over a number of pedagogical constructs."

So as we begin to create this shared space, let's keep students and teaching at the heart of the conversation. What will enhance, rather than hinder, learning and creativity? What tool will get out of their way, rather than in their way? Multiple spaces (easier for US to manage) vs. one space (easier for THEM to navigate?) Do we even need a space like this at all? Why? Here's a short vodcast from Dan Meyer, illustrating the point perfectly:

dy/av : 001 : earn the medium from Dan Meyer on Vimeo.