Summary: Daniel Light and his colleague, Deborah Polin, traveled around the United States to explore the uses of Web 2.0 as supplemental educational tools inside and
outside the classroom. They found many teachers were able to use blogs and wikis as a way to promote conversation and interest in the topics discussed in class. Blogs were also found to be a very useful tool for dialogue between not only teachers and students, but between the students themselves. Light listed three elements that led teachers to be most successful when using the Web 2.0 tools. The first element was to use these tools as a daily practice instead of a “special project”. This allows the students and teachers to use the Web 2.0 tools, especially blogs, to their fullest potential. Creating on going dialogue
throughout the school year about topics covered in class allows the students to
not only retain the information better, but also become actively involved in
their own learning. The second element was to carefully select the audience who
has access to the information. Light discussed the indication of lack of participation from students based upon who would have access to view and comment on their posted ideas or thoughts. Most of the teachers who used blogs in their classroom limited the access of information to just the class, the school and parents or the broader community. Some teachers even restricted the access solely between student and teacher, allowing the student to reflect on their experiences in class without the fear of ridicule. The third and final element of success light stated was exhibiting appropriate behavior while using these
tools. Teachers must build a learning community within the classroom that
transpires to the web, and students must respect these online tools for educational purposes. The tools available on Web 2.0, if used properly, can be extremely effective in promoting interest and communication among students in today’s classrooms.
Question 1: Why is creating a community within the classroom so important to the success of using these types of online tools?
Creating a community within the classroom is crucial to the success of these types of online tools for numerous reasons. One reason being the students need to feel comfortable and confident when posting their ideas and thoughts online. When a supportive community is built within the classroom, students will feel more motivated to give critical and thoughtful feedback
online. Another important reason for creating a community in the classroom is so
students will be more willing to respect the use of the online tool for
educational purposes instead of simply social interactions.
Question 2: When implementing the use of Web 2.0 tools in the classroom, how
would you get the parents to be involved and aware of the intentions and
purposes of using this type of technology?
important to not only have the student involved, but their parents as well. When
beginning the use of an online tool I would send home a letter explaining in
detail what will be happening and the purposes for using the tools. I will have
the parents sign the letter stating that they have read the letter then send it
back to class with their student. Having the parents involved, especially with
young students, will support the use of the Web 2.0 tools for educational
purposes only and may even prompt discussions regarding classroom subjects
between student and parent.
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