Journal 1

Journal 1: “Do Web 2.0 Right,” (NETS 1&4)

Light, Daniel (February 2011, Volume 38, Issue 5) Do Web 2.0 Right.  Learning and Leading with Technology.  Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Feature_Article_Do_Web_2_0_Right.aspx

Summary:  Web 2.0 is a technology tool that can be used to enhance the classroom.  Students can use the Web 2.0 tools to engage in academic interaction with their teachers as well as their peers. Using these types of computer based assignments will motivate more students to do more writings both in the classroom and at home.  Most teachers felt that the activities were most successful when used daily.  Blogs were found to be most successful when the communication was kept between just the student and the teacher and not made public to the class.  Some students were self-conscious and reluctant to become involved because they didn’t feel they had anything important to add.  The most common types of Web 2.0 used were class blog and student blogs.  They were used for one of the following reasons: to elicit prior knowledge, generate interest, support student debated and provide students with feedback. 

Q1.  Would these Web 2.0 tools have the same success if used in a nonpublic school special education classroom?

A1.  All students could definitely benefit from the use technology.  Technology is a huge part of society today.  Students today have more exposure to technology through their cell phones and computers than most adults can even comprehend.  Most of the students would probably be most comfortable with student/teacher blog.  A class blog could be successful through close monitoring by the teacher.

Q2.  Assigning Web 2.0 assignments as homework can be difficult for students who may not have access to a computer at home.  How would you as an educator handle situations like this?

A1.  My students are very good at letting me know if they have conflicts with homework assignments.  I may allow the students to complete their computer assignment at school and take something else home for homework that does not require a computer.