Web 2.0 Tools Questions

A ‘web 2.0 teaching tool’ is a combination of ideas, technologies and trends with emphasis on the collaboration of a user, sharing of user generated contents, editing and social networking. In the perspective of education, Web 2.0 is defined as the read write web and includes blogs, wikis, document sharing, digital storytelling, sharing of resources, social mapping, and photo stream. This is a second generation and a revolutionary way in the development of the World Wide Web that allows for manipulation of the World Wide Web and is different from first generation that was static. Educators can use these tools to engage their students and in improving some essential skills among students including communication, creativity, proficiency in technology and global awareness.

            There several advantages when educators incorporate ‘web 2.0 teaching tools’ into their curriculum. The first advantage is that it allows the educator to interact, communicate, and collaborate with their students and other educators. It helps in affording the students with more connectivity among themselves and thus provides opportunity for the student to share resources. The use of Web 2.0 allows for the creation of new knowledge for their students. Students are given a chance to create the knowledge since it offers them a chance to generate content instead of just listening to lectures. It gives the educators a chance to maintain student centered learning. In addition, the use of Web 2.0 presents the educator with a lot of flexibility besides the fact that they are easier to use. Moreover, educators who make use of Web 2.0 are in a position to gain writing technology skills. They are also in a position to understand their students better and thus motivate them.

            Students might prefer using ‘web 2.0 teaching tools’ in their formal assignments for their teachers because it allows for interaction and sharing of information. For this reason, students who make use of web 2.0 teaching tools in doing their formal assignments have a variety of avenues to consult from unlike when they are required to ask their teacher for help. It also means that the students have a wide variety of information to choose from. Moreover, a student can have access to information using web 2.0 teaching tools at any time, while it may be hard to get information from a teacher any time a student wants, since the teacher may be busy.

            The use of ‘web 2.0 teaching tools’ as had an impact on both students and teachers. One of the major impacts in the learning process is that it has motivated students to learn continually even outside the school setting. Some of the web 2.0 tools acts as go-betweens between the students and the outside world and have a potential of initiating and improving a culture of learning among students. Moreover, it has enabled students in getting essential technology and social skills that are crucial for them to contribute fully in the contemporary society. To the educators, the use of web 2.0 tools has led to increase of the toolkits that they need. It offers them an opportunity for introducing their student a good computing practices ranging from safe sharing of information to how to participate in public dialogue.    

Technology Devices in my Classroom

Digital Technology in my Classroom

The five devices I think I would be most excited about, and my students would be looking forward to using would be the digital camera, the scanner, the projector, the whiteboard, and the clicker. I would use the digital camera in several different areas. The camera could be used on field trips, and have my students write a caption for each picture. I would have the students take pictures of each other, and then write a compliment about each student, this would build self- esteem. I would let each student have the camera for a day, and take pictures at school all day, and then write about it. This would help enhance their creativity. Another device I would incorporate would be the scanner. A scanner is simple to use, and a convenient. I would take a full size map, scan it, shrink it and then be able to print a copy for each student. If we are studying history, maybe wars in particular, I would ask students to bring in old family portraits’ then we could scan them, and let each student have a copy. The next technology device I would use would be projectors. By using a projector, I could make a power point presentation on any subject I choose. I would use the internet show an article, or maybe a picture, and then put on the projector, this would save all the students from having to get on the internet themselves. If a student wants to have a certain slide repeated, this can be done using a projector. I think anytime a student can see a visual added to the lesson the more beneficial it is. The next device that I would be excited about using would be the whiteboard. I would use the whiteboard if a student was absent, I could e-mail them the lesson for the day. Most whiteboards come with maps built in, so teaching geography would keep the students attention. I would have the students create their own project, and the whiteboard would enable them to share it with the whole class. The last device I would incorporate into my classroom would be the clicker. The use of clickers makes learning fun. I could ask a question, and the student could instantly answer the question with their clicker, and would immediately know if they understood the question. Using clickers allows every student to answer without the fear of humiliation or negative attention. Technology is changing very fast, what might be popular today may be outdated tomorrow. Most of these technology devices is assuming that the schools have been proactive in making their schools tech ready, and I am afraid many schools have not.

Digital Generation

With the digital generation teacher’s role changes, the teacher is no longer the center of attention as the dispenser of information, but plays more the role of facilitator, setting project goals and providing guidelines and resources. The teacher may be moving from student to student or group to group providing suggestions and support for student activities. As students work on their technology-supported project, the teacher may look over shoulders and ask students about reasons for various design choices, and suggesting resources that might be used. Technology is the ultimate carrot for students, it is something they want to master. Learning to use technology enhances their self-esteem and makes going to school exciting. I have had elementary students tell me they choose to work on their technology-based projects during recess and lunch periods. Technology provides a venue in which a wider range of students can excel. We will see a lot more students helping each other. We will see students who have mastered specific computer skills generally taking pride and enjoyment from helping others. Students through technology will be able to easily solve math equations through online math games and puzzles. Students will be able to learn new languages using free online translators. Research is the number one reason to use the internet in education. Students have a wealth of information to them. The possibilities for research on the internet are endless, many of them involving other forms of technology. The most important 21^st century skills will be the ability to communicate, connect, create, and collaborate to solve problems quickly, easily, and clearly, the 21^st century technology tools will enable students to do that. The evolving technology that allows achievement and success must be present in the classrooms to engage and educate students of any age, because technology is present everywhere else in our society. Students with special needs can benefit from adaptive technologies that are designated to assist them and facilitate greater learning. I have a Granddaughter with ADHD so technology is of great benefit. There are a variety of computer programs that are used as assisted technology for ADHD, and other students with learning disabilities. There are math programs that use voice recognition software to type out math problems dictated by a student, the user can then solve the problem hands free on the computer screen. Other computer software related to assisted technology for students with disabilities may be talking keyboards, and word processors. All of these types of technology will provide instant feedback that will keep students with learning disabilities on track and on task. Even though mew technology for education has many benefits, it also has some critics. New technology is quite expensive to implement. You can imagine how much it can cost to have 30 computers in a classroom of 30 students. A lot of schools cannot afford that luxury. Public schools use less technology than private schools in the classrooms. This could create a big gap between the digital have and have nots which could create a “digital divide”.

 

A note to the class: I realize I did not answer the questions that were ask in a direct manner, but I did give my perspective as a 64 year old Grandparent that has 11 Grandchildren in the public school system. I am very much interested in the future of our educational system for now and years to come.