Mendy’s Thoughts: Web 2.0

I read a blog called “Productive and Powerful” by Scott McLeod (http://www.techlearning.com/blog/2008/07/productive_and_powerful.php).  He feels the goal of all teachers, at whatever level, is to make his or her students more productive and powerful.  He does not go into a lot of the details about how to do that, but he does pose several questions.  He wonders if things like worksheets, seat work, and staff development really help people to be more productive.  I have wondered the same thing myself.  When I was in the public school system, I constantly struggled with those kinds of questions.  It seemed like we had staff development every other day.  I used to become VERY frustrated, because I felt my time could be better spent actually preparing for lessons instead of having meetings about it.  9 times out of 10, I felt like the meeting was a complete waste of time, and meant I had to do more work after school since my two planning periods were gone.  I do think a lot about my teaching techniques and wonder if they are really reaching my students.  Most of the time, I feel like I’m preparing them for the final exam, instead of inspiring them to love American History.  I would love to know how to do that while at the same teaching what I need them to learn. 
Suggestions anyone?