Web 2.0 to me is all of the technology that I access daily for educational, recreational, social and personal use. Web 2.0 also includes the millions of other users who are using the same tools (and many more) to access, utilize and add to the Web.
When I enter the classroom, Web 2.0 will include my students. I was surprised to learn at http://www.techlearning.com/article/7232 that a 2007 national survey reported 55% of young online Americans (between the ages of 12 and 17) as using social networking sites. I remember being 12 and using dial up internet on my family's desktop computer to chat with my friends-- it was an exciting and novel way to communicate. Now, a decade later, I can use text messaging, e-mail or twitter to instantly connect with friends via my cell phone, MacBook, or iPad. Imagine what will be available to us in another decade!
Technology is running rampant, and it will increasingly become more widespread. With the presence of technology in our everyday lives, it is no surprise that we should find it in our schools.
School 2.0 to me is the mass of technology that can be used to the advantage of educators, students, parents, and administrators. School 2.0 recognizes that learning does not just take place in the classroom: learning can also be infused throughout the home and community. E-mail and class blogs are two great examples of this. Teachers have the option to contact parents individually through e-mail or communally by inviting them to participate in a classroom blog. Web 2.0 tools can also be used in numerous other ways in the educational setting: forums, tutorials, webquests, networking sites, etc. are all valuable assets to the teacher as both an educator and a developing professional. School 2.0 may very well be vital to inclusion in schools of the future.
I like your comment that learning takes place everywhere: school, home, the community and how technology can help bring these elements together.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, you mentioned that technology is running rampant which I see as a good and a bad thing. For example, texting is a great tool but, is it a bit ridiculous to hear of kids texting each other who are sitting right next to each other. I'm afraid social skills (not to mention the ability to spell, use capital letters, and punctuatin)are starting to deteroirate with each generation.