Eunice_Turkson


 * Web 2.0 tools in the classroom **

 Every time I sit behind the computer to do some work, I come across tons of new things that amaze me and the question I ask myself is whether these could be helpful to me in my classroom. I have seen so many things now to confidently agree that, web 2.0 tools could definitely be useful in the classroom. However, I think there surely have to be some limits and exceptions to their uses. How?

 I am with the view that, even at the district or building level, there must be some form of agreement as far as the use of these tools. Policies and guidelines should be in place as far as their uses and protections. Of course, not all of them will be appropriate for the students and if I may add, I remember reading from Vicki Davis' post on her classroom use of web 2.0 tools, she made reference to the fact that, she just introduces her students to what she deems appropriate for them. If all administrators and teachers work on the same page as to which particular tools are the "appropriate" ones, it could help us better reach our students. After all, this is their world and as the article says, in order to get to them, we "... must go there...and more importantly as learners acquiring a new kind of understanding". As educators therefore, we have to make every effort to reach our students at their educational level, making use of what they are using these days. If web 2.0 tools are said to be revolutionary and are said to be the new ways of creating, collaborating, editing and sharing user generated content online, then in order to reach learners, educators surely need to be where they are. At the same time when we think of their positive sides there surely are some negatives too, especially when we think of predators who are also out there to make use of the same tools to harm our youth. This is one of the important aspect when we talk of polices and guidelines.

 Web 2.0 tools being social as well as interactive will be helpful to our students in the sense that, since it is part of the students' own world, it will make teaching very effective. For instance if a teacher establishes a class blog where all students have opportunities to share their views on some issues concerning their class or some subject, students will be interacting, having fun and at the same time learning because, this will create some kind of confidence with students having a sense of belonging and thoughts that, their ideas also matter. Students will take pride in their own work and learn from one another. So many other useful tools will make students more creative, make them think and apply a whole lot of ideas to what they learn. As educators, we should not also forget the fact that, these tools should rather be linked to the curricula we teach and not just using them only for the social aspect of it. If we dismiss the idea of "social network" and take a better look at these web 2.0 tools, educators will stand a better chance at better educating our 21st century youth.

Being a special education teacher, I see a whole lot of useful ideas to help my students. When we talk of the idea of differentiated instruction which is being "preached" everywhere these days, some web 2.0 tools seem to come handy where the teacher could use to help these students with diverse needs of learning. Especially for my students who are always very "busy", application of some tools to teach them will come handy in getting them engaged which will definitely help solve these numerous behavior problems we encounter everyday.

"In times of change, learners inherit the Earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists" (Eric Hoffer). I thought this is an encouraging food for thought, as we try to experience the world of our learners of today.