One journal that I subscribe to is MultiMedia & Internet @ Schools http://www.mmischools.com/. In the May/June issue is an artitle that deals with Web 2.0, "Collaboration in Today's Classrooms: New Web Tools Change the Game" by Kelly Driscoll. This is a very good explanation of Web 2.0 that is easy to understand. The focus of Web 2.0 is communication. The appeal of these technologies is that they are easy to use, usually free, interactive, and give us access at home, school, or wherever we may be. These technologies are motivating and can be used in schools to engage students. We must involve students in their own learning. (In the July/August issue is an article titled "Mashups and Other New or Improved Collaborative Social Sofware Tools" by Robert J. Lackie and Robert D. Terrio that has excellent definitions and explanations.)
Tom Storey in the article "Where will the Next Generation Web Take Libraries" states, "The Web moves from simply being sites and search engines to a shared network space that drives work, research, education, entertainment and social activites." This is a philosophical shift that many in schools are just now embracing (if it is not being ignored completely). I feel that schools tend to be reactive instead of proactive. If we want schools to be successful, we must provide meaningful opportunities for students to be involved with the content. Web 2.0 technologies encourage students to be active rather than passive learners.
In many of the articles about Web 2.0 and Library 2.0, collaboration is stressed as a key advantage. With these technologies, collaboration is no longer limited to working with the person next to you - the whole world is a possibility.
My most practical concern at this point is access at school. Currently, all blogs are blocked in my district. This is going to be a dialogue that many educators are going to have to have with their administrators and IT departments.
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2 comments:
Well said! Sounds like MultiMedia & Internet @ Schools might like to hear from you. Wonder if they've heard of School Library Learning 2.0 and all the online summer 2.0 fun by California school librarians?
Best wishes.
JackieS
CSLA 2.0 Team project manager
Good points. I also think we need to involve the parents and community. I believe, that even more than the IT folks, it is the district lawyers and the fear of being sued, that is making our district, at least, so terribly overprotective (not of the children, but of their own assets).
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