THING #5

In reading about web 2.0 applications, I became excited about my own learning and the future of these possibilities in my classroom.

As for what it means to me,…Right now, it’s a world of  limitless discoveries.  I still don’t completely understand how I can best interact with it.  Will I be a consumer, illustrator, teacher, producer?  It is certainly an effective tool.  And to use any tool correctly you must be familiar with it.  So, my intention during this program is to be all of those things; consumer, illustrator, student, teacher, and producer. 

For schools of the future,…WOW, that’s a BIG question.  Here is what I wrote in my THING #1 blog about 2.0, and I feel just as strongly today about the statements accuracy:

     “...access to accurate and well-prepared information is making these modes of instruction irreplaceable.  Especially, when the aptitude and eagerness to use such tools continues to expand to younger and younger students.  Personally, I think understanding 2.0 will not only enhance, but will become critical to a teacher's ability to communicate with the students of the future; and if, as a teacher, one doesn't understand how to leverage these tools you will not be able to function in tomorrow's education system.” 

It seems limitless really.  Collaboration is global, input and feedback are immediate.  The ability to bring groups together and contribute to a diverse learning environment is constantly available.  You can be anyway, at anytime and drive right into an experience your students will never forget.  Learning will take place everywhere.  School, home, vacation; you name it.

The question that continuely jumps back to mind concerning Web 2.0 capability is; How do we understand and avoid reaching the point of information overload and task saturation.  How do you decide what, when and how much to have students interact with? Students will still have to be guided through the process.  And teachers more than ever will be challenged to ensure every child in the class is being assessed constantly for appropriate use of Web 2.0 resources.  Web 2.0 will make wonderful tools present in the classroom, but students have always have wonderful tools.  Assessments, standards, and testing will become increasingly important. What I heard most clearly throughout these references, is that regardless of how much information you have in front of you or how easy it is to access; the best way to learn is to contribute and to create.  2.0 resources allow students to literally contribute to people and causes around the world.  What a sense of worth that can create.  We, as the time managers, will need to make sure 2.0 doesn’t “distract” from a worthy contribution to each individual education.  (Complexity of the Classroom: another blog topic I am sure)  Thanks -Clint