I have worked in educational technology for many years. I supported educator’s technological neeChapters One and Eight ReflectionsI have worked in educational technology for many years. I supported educator’s technological needs, but did not understand their frustrations. I was not the teacher who had to spend the time finding creative ways to use technology, I was the person they came to, often frustrated, when the technology did not work. I have been working toward my masters in secondary education for the last five months. I now understand the frustrations that educators have with technology. After reading chapters one and eight of The World Is Open I feel encouraged and motivated to start looking at ways to transform educational resources on the internet. The book details a number of different web sites that are great resources, but the sheer number of sites creates the need for further investigation.As a technology enthusiast, I often get caught up in the latest and greatest technology. I liked the example given in chapter one (p. 26) which infers that too much connective technology can create exhaustion. Sometimes being in two places at one time can be a bad thing. In chapter eight (p. 272), I was reminded of my recent departure from the University of Phoenix. The use of web based team work was written about in chapter eight. Unfortunately, my experience with online team work was not positive. The University of Phoenix uses a very low tech system, without verbal interaction. Circumvention of their system is discouraged. Without any form of face to face interaction or verbal communication it was difficult to measure team member’s intentions, strengths and weaknesses. Teamwork, I expect, can work well in a more high tech environment but not in a low-tech environment.The World Is Open is straight forward but chalked full of examples that need exploration. Many important web sites and concepts are presented. I am aware of most of the different technologies that drive the web sites written about, but I am only now becoming aware of the volume of sites that exist using the technology. I feel strongly that the tools available to teachers need more focus and security. I have learned that educators do not have the time to figure it all out. The reading has helped me get a better feel for the types of online resources educators need at their fingertips.