Thing 5- Web 2.0

I am thrilled to be involved in Web 2.0. To be a part of this changing environment. To actually see first hand how it is evolving our schools and classrooms. We have come from a READ ONLY web to a READ AND WRITE WEB. We have so many tools at the touch of keys. I know I am a digital immigrant, I am learning all of this later in my life. This is my "second" language of learning. I am awe struck by my students who are digital natives. I think I am going to have to go REALLY slow so they can all get it BUT I don't. They already know it.

To quote Web 2.0 A guide for Educators "Clearly, this generation—poised to shape the future—has already found Web 2.0 applications integral to daily life. And for education not to step up and maximize these resources for teaching, learning, and driving innovation is to risk becoming marginalized as a viable influence in helping to shape the 21st century." I think sometimes as teachers we hinder the possibilities of our students by standing "in the way". What else could they accomplish if we would just"get out of the way"! David Jakes says "The new tools and processes of Web 2.0, such as blogs, social bookmarking sites, podcasting and RSS, enable individual, continual, and highly customized experiences through the creation of a personal learning environment." These tools will take learning to whole new level. I believe that our kids will have take responsibility for their own learning. We, the teachers, will be there to guide and support them BUT it is on them to LEARN! Isn't that why we became teachers? To help these kids become lifelong learners. What better way to achieve this then for us to show them how to be successful in this century, how to learn from each other collaboratively, and to continue their learning when there is not a teacher there.