Web 2.0 in the Classroom

Technology in the classroom has become a norm in Australian education 2013.  However, it would still be fairly safe to say that there are a number of teachers that are quite unfamiliar with or cautious of, Web 2.0 technologies as a teaching tool. Internet sites, where information tends to stay fairly static, have become highly acceptable by teachers for students to source information for assignments. If this is all teachers allow their students to use their computers for, when there are so many other rich resources available in the form of Web 2.0 technologies, then they are robbing their students of some rich sources of collaborative learning.

Web 2.0 technologies are far from static.  Rather, the sites are constantly changing with the addition of new information that can be posted onto the sites. Web 2.0 technologies have given voice to the public and opened a gate to the power of many minds commenting, brainstorming, sharing wisdom and collaborating. Blogging has allowed anyone to put their thoughts into the public arena for the world to comment, as have You Tube, Facebook, Twitter and many other social media sites. A teenager with access to a computer and the internet can become famous very quickly, such as was the case with teen singer, Justin Beiber (Widdicombe, L, 2012).

According to Steve Hargadon, social learning consultant of "Elluminate", teachers and parents can have negative feelings towards these technologies that have resulted from young people using it as a medium for gossip and bullying. There is no denying that Web 2.0 can open a door for cyber-bullying. I do not believe that this is justification for not using it in the classroom and believe that educators cannot afford to have an attitude of dogged scepticism with regard to the social media and its potential in education.  Kevin Kelly (2009) states that, "We announce our identity by what stuff we use or refuse", so it is important that educators are not identified as those who refuse our students access to technologies that can enhance their learning because of their personal fears and lock their classrooms into outdated teaching methods.

Personally, I have seen the power of using the educational program, Edmodo in my classrooms.  Through setting up groups for my classes, the students have been able to access information that I have loaded onto the sites, comment on their thoughts about these, put up comments to ask for help in assignments and had other students respond. Since the groups that I have set up have the safety net of me being able to read everything that is put onto the site, it has been kept for schoolwork only.  I have seen a growing collaboration in the classes where information is being shared by students with each other. As a teacher, I have been excited by these learning communities that are growing with my students and am hoping to try more Web 2.0 technologies in the classroom setting.  A classroom blog is on its way!


References:
Hargadon, Steve (n.d.) Educational Networking: the important role Web 2.0 will play in Education, Retrieved 31-03-13 http://audio.edtechlive.com/lc/EducationalSocialNetworkingWhitepaper.pdf
Kelly, Kevin (2009) Ethnic Technology, Retrieved 30-03-13 http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2009/03/ethnic_technolo.php
Widdicombe, Lizzie (2012) "Teen Titan", The New Yorker Sept. 3, 2012, Retrieved 31-03-13 http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/09/03/120903fa_fact_widdicombe