Web 2.0 is comprised of a large variety
of tools in an open source environment. People can create, edit, and
share information and ideas on a wide range of mediums from blogs to
podcasts and social media to photo sharing sites. These tools allow
people to communicate and collaborate with others at any time, in any
location. Solomon and Schrum (2007) illustrate this idea, stating,
“Companies can run their businesses online, which means that
workers can be anywhere and communicate, collaborate, and be as
productive as if they were located in one physical location” (pg.
49). Students can benefit from this as well with the ability to
contribute to projects on their own schedule – they are no longer
confined to the classroom during school hours for collaboration.
With Web 2.0, time is saved and tasks such as searching for your
favorite recipes or finding information on your upcoming trip to
Spain are made easier with the use of tagging, syndication, and
aggregators. Although the desktop versions of Microsoft Office and
similar programs continue to offer a larger range of options, Web 2.0
has options that are comparable and boast the capabilities necessary
for simultaneous editing. With all of the tools available (for
free!), learning and work environments are now able to be more
adventurous with ideas and more creative, combining the work of many
in order to advance. Websites such as Think.com provide teachers with a secure online learning environment for students to collaborate projects and encourage this creativity among peers.
Solomon and Schrum (2007) state, “If
we believe that innovation and ideas will come from the brightest
minds no matter where they are, open source could provide robust,
complex solutions that are improved continually” (pg. 71). This
quote reminds me that the “brightest minds” are not necessarily
institutionally educated individuals with sky-rocketing careers and
book smarts. The “brightest mind” may be a middle school student
who develops a rough idea for a revolutionary kind of skateboard for
all we know. With the tools that are already available and the new
tools of the future, brilliant ideas can be developed and
communicated to millions of people in a very short amount of time,
making the discovery of the “brightest” minds much easier than in
the past.
NETS Standard (Teachers)
II. Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences
Teachers plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology. Teachers:
A. design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners.
B. apply current research on teaching and learning with technology when planning learning environments and experiences.
C. identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability.
D. plan for the management of technology resources within the context of the learning activities.
E. plan strategies to manage student learning in a technology-enhanced environment.
Reference
Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007).
Web 2.0: New tools, new schools. Eugene,
OR: International Society for Technology in Education.
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