NETS and Web 2.0 Tools

If Obama wants to improve education in this country then perhaps he should take a look at the NETS. Unfortunately, my district is not aware of the NETS or doesn't care to promote these 21st century standards. The NETS are a well thought out collection of goals that all students should meet. Utilizing the NETS in all classrooms along with PBL would provide the paradigm shift in education that our country so desperately needs. Longer days of the same old wasy of teaching is not going to solve the problem.
The collection of web 2.0 tools that was posted for us to learn about and ask question from are the perfect tools to help students achieve the goals of the NETS. These goals center around digital literacy, collaboration and research skills.
The first NET, I learned about was to create a rich digital story. Voice thread, Yodio, and Glogster are just a few examples of web 2.0 tools that would lend themselves to achieving this goal. Students are asked to write stories or do book reports. How great would it be immersed in using web 2.0 tools in creating stories or re-telling.
The second NET for ages 4-8 talks about research, collecting data on environmental issues and using digital resources to provide an appropriate solution. Google Docs, Voice Thread or Wikispaces would allow students to present their research and to allow classrooms from around the globe to help out with solutions. Our classrooms need to start connecting and stop learning in a bubble.
Another NET is requires students to engage in collaboration. Once again, Voice Thread, Ning, Edmodo, WIkispaces, Google Docs, Yodio, Microsoft Live and Skype are all great tools for collaboration. When I was in the school system we rarely if every collaborated with our peers. We were required to sit quietly and listen. Unfortunately, school was not that engaging and it still isn't for many students and this needs to change.

After reading the goals for the NETS, it would seem foolish not to teach these skills to our students. These are the skills top leaders and educators are promoting that students will need to be proficient in to survive in a 21st century global business atmosphere. So why does it take so long to be heard when our country is in crisis. I'm sending the NETS to my principal in the hopes that it will open her eyes to the 21st century skills that our school isn't currently teaching.