Panel Topic #1: Is Web 2.0 a good fit for education?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Pamela Livingston on September 5, 2007 at 9:14am

Well, just jumping in with one thing that Web 2.0 does for teaching and learning - it engages learners. Because they are creating the Web, they aren't just "using" it or "finding things" on it. No one need be a Webmaster or know html code for most Web 2.0 tools. Wow - how empowering is that? We've seen jumps in attendance and motivation with nearly every 1-to-1 laptop initiative - because students become involved, engaged, self-directed learners. Probably similar research would be the case with Web 2.0 because now Web 2.0 users are really creating the Web -- not just passively using it.

Permalink Reply by janien on September 5, 2007 at 9:43am

@ Pamela Livingston
You take the words 'right out of my mouth' - as I may say so. I think, we all learners have to 'take that train (or better: plane!)' to the future! Web 2.0 is already changing our world, as a descriptive forecast of the future shows of in the trends and dilemmas in that beautiful Map of the KnowledgeWorks Foundation and the Institute for the Future. Family and Community, Markets, Institutions, Educators and Learning, Tools and Practices are the categories in that map, and when exploring them, we will see what changes are already running up. We cannot 'miss' that in education! And as you say, Pamela, Web 2.0 'engages', it represents 'jumps in attendance and motivation', it makes learners 'involved', it's 'self-directing', it makes us not merely 'users', but 'creators'. It's dynamic, activating, authentic ...

Permalink Reply by gerry davis on September 10, 2007 at 11:18am

My spin on web 2.0 is that it is the future of computing in schools / k-12 education. However, the real question is when? 2.0 has great potential, but, for example; how will districts manage access and who will host what apps. Will we be using Google apps in the form of a premium service such as business are starting to do now or will this be handled at the state or district level. There are some every important discussions that need to take place at both the state and the local levels in the very near term since this stuff is moving fast. The more “planful” the environment the more likely this new paradigm will be accepted and intergrated into the districts. There is no doubt that 2.0 holds the potential for radical change, it just needs to be managed with some care and vision.

Permalink Reply by kimmy01 on September 13, 2007 at 4:54pm

I agree with what most of you said in regards to how much a student can and will learn from using web 2.0. At the same time I believe that many things should be filtered out of the web that may be irrelevant or distracting to the kids. Gerry mentioned that it has potential, which is true, but the management and access has to be focused on more carefully. Once the administrators, teachers or districts decide to include the website in their classrooms, real-life discussions can take place. It will be more engaging, interesting and meaningful... especially for those who may not be outspoken and prefer to blog online. New technlogy as well as new ideas should be applied and tested to see whether or not it benefits the class atmosphere...until then it sounds LIKE a good fit for education.

Permalink Reply by Lacresha Cooke on September 19, 2007 at 11:49am

I also agree with you both. Web 2.0 is a great paradigm, however the extent of its use is the problem. It is a great technological program that can be used to enhance new ideas and lessons and is a great way to contact students but it has to be monitored. I believe if School Districts and Teachers are going to use web 2.0 in their classes, they will have to monitor everything the children does. I, personally would not use web 2.0 because it only exposes students to negativity thats on the web. However, sa web 2.0 like a blog would be useful, exactly like Kimmy said. There might be students who are shy and not very outspoken who would rather express themselves via internet. If monitored very well then it is a good fit for education but I personally would not use in my classes.

Permalink Reply by MLZ on October 23, 2007 at 8:37pm

Students can learn a great deal from the web. Like kimmy01 has mentioned, I also believe that many things should be filtered or blocked is schools which can get students into trouble or keeping them from learning. School is for learning, there are many educational websties that are useful for students and teachers as well. In school students do not need to play video computer games or go onto websites that do not have to do with their learning. I am sure that they have enough time to do their own personal things at home. Many websites, like this one have many potential. I find that the more easier a website is to use more people want to use it. The thing about technology is that is it never permanent and it is always changing whether or not it is being used in a classroom setting. When students are using the web in school, they must always be monitered. A teacher needs to know exactly what their students are doing for safety and legal reasons in school. As a teacher if I was deciding to sign my students up to join a blog I would do much research before actually having them sign up. If I made them sign up and later on found out that the site it not what I expected it to be and was not beneficial for my students I would immediately cancel the blog anstart a new one. Blogging is a great idea to keep students involved, many students feel more comfortable to write their feelings rather then talk about them.

Permalink Reply by gerry davis on September 14, 2007 at 8:54am

As I look at 2.0 tools for business, by appearence it seems that many companies have passed the point of listening to the hype and are now at the implimentation phase. Having been burned during the dot com days by vapor ware, (apps that promised far more than they delivered or didn't exist) or at the very worse by service contacts that would put a loan shark to shame, companies are being far more planfull than they have in the past. Schools should consider this approach. Starting simply with a goal in mind that can be observed is the best way. If it appears to work, expand on the effort and try to obtain some buyin from the staff. Avoid the overs, selling and extending. The last thing we want to do is sour the staff on a good technology.

Permalink Reply by gerry davis on September 20, 2007 at 11:44am

During my class last night we had a conversation regarding new technologies and their potential pedigogical and fiancial impact on schools. Web 2.0, as with thin client and open source are easy to view as tranformational. Its the fact that they are tranformation I believe is one of the sticking points. Radical change in schools is generally received with the same enthusiasm as skydiving without a parachute. As I think about this problem and how it effects schools potential for change it seems to me that technologies such as 2.0 need to be rolled out in a way where boards, admins and teachers clear understaning of their impact. Professional development is key to getting this stuff into students hands.

Permalink Reply by MLZ on October 24, 2007 at 3:15pm

This is Kimberly from EDUC 372 using MLZ's account because for some reason my computer is unable to complete the signing up process. - I agree with what has been said already. The internet can always be used in a lesson to enhance the concept and engage students. Web 2.0 provides various resources that can be used and can be helpful in the classroom. Not only does the use of internet enhance the lesson but ultimately the students are learning computer and internet skills that now adays is a necessity. Internet can also be used to work on student cooperation in groups. Students will learn to work together to use the internet to complete a group assignment. I have found that the internet can provded many educational games that are entertaining and at the same time a very valuable teaching tool.

Permalink Reply by Matt on October 28, 2007 at 4:04pm

I also agree for the most part with that has already been said. I definitely can see how and why web 2.0 can be a huge motivation factor for students. As it was said before, when implementing a blog or some other interactive sort of website in your classroom it is imperative that the teacher thoroughly plan the activity out so that it is helpful and not a distraction to the students. As it was said before, it certainly is important that when a school is in the implementation phase to start small and then continue along with it once it is clear that the students are benefiting from it, since nothing is worse than wasting time and resources.

Permalink Reply by Christina on November 28, 2007 at 4:48pm

I agree with Web2.0. I feel that incorporating the compter is a grat way to get kids involved in a lesson. It will help with differentiated instruction because you can pair a high functioning student with a low functioning student and have them work using the internet. Now they will get the help with the aid of the other child and also by seeing it first hand. I feel that by doing is what helps the student. By using 2.0 it will be a motivational product that will engage students in the lesson. The key is to hook them into the lesson so that throughout the whole lesson they will stay engaged..