I have always loved new technology tools and to discover ways to incorporate them into education. It was that interest that led me to obtaining my Masters Degree in technology integration. Now when I consider all the new developments that are being labeled Web 2.0 technologies, it is difficult to keep up with them all. What are the implications for education concerning Web 2.0 technologies? Steve O’Hear shares some of his insights at e-learning 2.0-how Web technologies are shaping education. So as I discover new tools, techniques, and methods, I will try to pass them on you.
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There seem to be almost too many options. How does a reasonable person find a path through the forest of words, images, ideas, voices…? Steve O’Hear’s views offer some discussion points on how to use the tools, but who is going to get the discussion going on when – and when not – to use them?
A related issue involves the proper and improper use of the tools. In a recent posting in Inside Higher Ed, an article explored how some educators are actively incorporating Wikipedia into research assignments, in spite of their colleagues’ attitude toward Wikipedia. Apparently, they’re asking students to post to Wikipedia, leading the students to discover the joys and consequences of the wider peer review process. I think it’s a great idea, but I’m not sure how Wikipedia will handle the traffic if the technique catches on. Try this link to find the article.
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2007/10/29/wikipedia
Using Wikipedia to submit students papers was an interesting experiment. I think the telling point was the statement that one way to get students to try their very best is for them to know that their work will be public. That is one of the big selling points with some of the read/write web tools. Students often state how they work harder and care more when they know that others besides their teachers will be reading their work.
I, too, have a Masters Degree in Integrating Technology, completed just one year ago. Already, however, the tools that I learned in my coursework seem somewhat out-of-date.
I find that the best way to keep up-to-date with new tools is to first have a vexing problem to solve. I think all teachers would be able to come up with dozens.
With these problems rolling around in your brain, waiting for a solution to present itself, make a habit to scan one or more educational technology blogs. Before you know it, problem meets solution! Since you can’t learn everything at once, at least learn one thing that will make your life easier.
Classroom 2.0, http://www.classroom20.com/, is a blog that is dedicated to the use of Web 2.0 in education.