The evolution of Web 2.0 is definitely changing the educational process. Whether it is using blogs to assign homework and give notes, recording class sessions and making podcasts for absent students or just to have a copy of the class lecture on tape, or uploading/downloading videos on video exchange sites, Web 2.0 is here to stay, and in many ways it is for the best.
When I first started this class, while I did approve of technology in the classroom, I did not really feel like Web 2.0 (the entire genre of media exchanging) was necessarily appropriate in the education process, but the more that I have learned, the more that I realize that these technologies are a very useful addition to the education process. It not only forces students to interact more, but it is useful for students who might be shy or anti-social. These children can communicate with the class and make a significant contribution to the class without necessarily having to speak out.
I am actually looking forward to these changes as I think it is direction that the world is heading in, and the earlier children start getting used to these systems and programs, the better!!
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3 comments:
Angel,
Yes, communication, I think, is the key. I also think that we put more emphasis on the student to be a responsible learner. If a student is absent for whatever reason, they have no reason to not have work completed or know what was missed, if it is available on-line.
Bonnie-Jean
Angel,
Your post brings up a conversation that I had with a friend of mine about children and technology. We were discussing the fact that in the current age of the internet..with chat, social networking, podcasts et al. there is a whole world of communication and networking, as well as information that most adults, not just most educators dont understand.
It's entirely possible these days to lead a "double life" on the internet...using chat and avatars to be someone completely different from who you are normally..it goes beyond breaking out of being shy or anti-social; these kids can create entire different identities.
While much of this can be used for negative purposes, it also shows that children embrace this technology and want to utilize this in ways that go beyond what we would consider a "normal" classroon or social experience. We need to come to the realization that our children arent tying up the home phone for hours at a time or passing paper notes in class- it's all being done on their SMS enabled cell phones!
Like any other opportunity, we as educators, need to be aware of this possibilty and make ourselves aware of how these tools work. We cannot hope to help our children with these issues if we dont understand them ourselves. I think it's critical that we make the shift to these technologies and help the students make educated choice...this double identity need not be a secret one you know..
Angel,
I tend to feel the same way about technology in the classroom in the beginning of the class. Except, when I first started taking this class, I was a little bit more skeptical about it. Although I teach college students, and I think that these students should not have an easy way out when they skip class. I think that blogs and podcasts are a great way for students to catch up on what they missed.
I also like your comments about the shy students. I have had a lot of shy students in my classes that were very smart and creative. I wish that more of my other students would have had the opportunity to get to know these students.
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