What might Web 2.0 look like in school?
I read the article "A Day in the Lie of Web 2.0" by David Warlick. My first reaction was WOW! What a great thing the school is doing. The vision of the teachers, administrators, the school board and the superintendent are all insync. Because of this continuity the students are realizing the vision of these educators. Everyone is engaged and learning. Of course the article was about a middle school where the children are on a totally different level, which makes answering this question a challenge for a 3rd grade teacher. My first thought went to reading. Could using this technolgy make all sorts of reading materials available to my students on a variety of subjects and a variety of levels. Schools wouldn't have to spend tons of money on leveled libraries because they could be accessed by students on Web 2.0. Then the miriad of other ideas flooded my head. No more boring book reports - but instead book blogs. No more boring comprehension tests in CRCT format but summary blogs giving students the forum to think critically. In this realm reading and writing become the most important tools in the students' toolbox. NOT sitting still and listening. They would become active contributers to what they are learning rather than a passive audience.
Consider the ways in which Web 2.0 tools might change (or have already changed) your professional practice.
I don't think that web 2.0 has changed my professional practice yet. It has infiltrated my personal life. Like many of the students in university classroom, I spend time on myspace and facebook catching up with old friends and getting to know my colleagues outside of school setting. However, it's totally personal. I google constantly - but I'm still using Web 1.0. I search for information and use it how I need to. I don't contribute to any other sites other than the ones I mentioned. Other than right now, I haven't used this technology professionally. I'm not sure how many teachers are at the elementary level. I wish that public education would move as quickly as technology. So many things are backwards. We spend money buying new textbooks that are essentially the same ones that we already have. What is the sense in that? Students weren't performing using the last set of books why through good money after bad. Perhaps getting online and using Web 2.0 is the answer we are looking for. A more engaging way to teach our youth to read. Like the video showed - children in 3rd world counrties can now reach us via laptops - perhaps we should be concentrating more on reaching out to them. Making sure that the students is our own backyards are connected and learning on Web 2.0. It would give learning to read a whole new purpose and those that are struggling will be motivated to succeed.
How might you be able to use these new tools to to engage today's "digital learners?" Why would you want to?
I think I already answered the first part of this question above. Why would I want to? I guess I already answered that too - because I want to reach all my students - not just those that are right brained. My school recently adopted a new program called Arts Now, and it is a wonderful way to attract those students who may lead with their left brain to learn. Web 2.0 is a great way to connect the two spheres of the brain. The technology is engaging and can include all types of art activities, including visual arts, drama, and music just to name a few.
