First and foremost a Web 2.0 class has to have the most current technology. I’ve seen some classrooms that have computers that are more than 20 years old and are not up to speed with the current demands that new technology requires. In addition, it has to have readily available all the other tools that go with it. For example, if you want students to upload their own videos then flip cameras or recorders should be accessible. If the child is working on SKYPE then there should be a Webcam or a built in one. There should also be a class set or at least half a class set of computers within the class. We should see more and more computers occupying space than textbooks. Yet, the most crucial thing about a Web 2.0 class is that the facilitator of the class should know how to use and ACTUALLY use it. I can think of millions of times I walk by classes and see IPods in carts collecting dust. In-services should start being geared towards technology and how to implement it in the classroom. But the most important thing about a Web 2.0 is that students and teachers alike are utilizing it on a regular basis. It’s about students really experiencing the technology and collaborating with one another to see the benefits of these tools. Teachers would have to go from monthly technology use to daily technology use.
This leads me to my next set of ideas dealing with a creating a technology-rich constructivist classroom. I have already mentioned certain requirements that must be present, which are having current technology, the accessibility to the technology, and teacher and student participation with the technology. Creating a technology-rich classroom would require the teacher to learn and understand the various uses of technology other than for creating word documents. Basically, it’s a class in which teachers and students learn together and embrace the ever-evolving influence of technology.
So many fellow classmates who have had the experience inside the classroom have mentioned that equipment is just collecting dust. That drives me crazy and I have never actually seen it! It is so hard for classrooms to be filled with an adequate number of resources so that the class together can partake in an exercise. I almost think, instead of schools paying for books, they need to stop and have everything digitalized. I know i'm just dreaming...
ReplyDeleteIf you recall my comment about education being at the "bottleneck"; I have heard that we might not be getting new social studies textbooks (the ones we have were published in 2003). This is fine with me if it means that more technology is on the way. At least it's a good sign.
ReplyDeleteI have experienced everything you said at some time or other over the last 18 or so years...I was around when everyone was simply afraid to use technology. Now, I have encountered people "hoarding" the technology for themselves rather than sharing, as in the use of I-Pads for the "technology cadre" on my campus. Some people got them, some didn't, according to your "status" on the totem pole. It should be available to ALL! Not the simple minority.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned a very important factor... the teacher understanding and becoming proficient in software given. As you stated, in many situations the Web 2.0 class is not there and the tools are not available, but for those who do have the tools, they should be trained on using them and required to use them. Its sad that so many teachers let the technologies sit and collect dust basically. I think schools providing the technologies should also provide education to teachers in using and implementing properly.
ReplyDeleteVERY well said!! I agree totally!! Another thing I thought of, but forgot to mention in my own blog, is that we need for the districts to remove the filters that keep us from utilizing certain online tools such as You Tube and SKYPE.
ReplyDeleteOut data computers in a huge program in schools periods. The district use thousands of dollars installing hard drives in the computers when the can buy one for a lot less than the repair cost of updated the computers. Dell have a buy back programs but I am not sure if schools can take advantage of this deal. I am a big believe that if computers are out dated or occupying space then they should be throughout of the classroom. A WEB 2.0 classroom can use the technology that children bring with them to school such as cell phone, Ipod, video, cameras basically whatever the have can be implemented into a technology learning tool.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Everyone seems to agree that the technology is here to stay. We as educators need to find a way to integrate it in the classroom. My son never liked to read until he started the AR program. He had to read (regular and online books), then go online and navigate through the school website to take tests. At first it was just a race to see how many points he could get, now he actually enjoys reading. I really think being able to bring school home helped him immensely.
ReplyDeleteWeb 2.0 is here to stay and in order to support it I agree that technology equipment should be kept up to date for proper integration into the classroom. It is also important that teachers receive training and professional development to help them learn how to use the new technology in their classroom. We need to start embracing technology because it's not going anywhere.
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