Using Web 2.0 in schools
I’m just starting to investigate Web 2.o technologies and how they can be used in teaching. It is very exciting to think of the possibilities – wikis, blogs, etc. However, I hadn’t thought about what the barriers are to implementing these tools in school.
Firstly, some schools are woefully underresourced when it comes to technology. Secondly, as Web 2.0 is still relatively new, there are many (or most?) school policy makers who are unfamiliar with the technology. The result is a lack of understanding and the blocking of Web 2.0 sites at schools.
Dan Stucke’s blog post expressed great frustration at Googledocs being blocked at his school in Scotland. Googledocs could be used for online reporting as suggested by Tom Barrett, from England, on his blog.
Michelle Baldwin’s comments on Dan’s post are pertinent: a survey she conducted showed most school administrative staff were not familiar with Web 2.0 and she feels many adults have an issue with control regarding the web. These are two major issues schools will have to grapple with when ICT innovators try to implement their new ideas.
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Hi Tania,
There are a wealth of opportunities, but as Michelle shows it is frequently a fear and lack of knowledge from the powers that be that cripple efforts to use the Web for teaching. We’ll get there eventually, but probably not without a few more rants like my post you linked to! Follow mine and Tom’s blog rolls, there are lots of great educators out there trying to use Web2.0.
Cheers,
Dan
Thanks for the encouragement Dan.
I’m new to all this. I set up this blog for a uni assignment as part of my teacher training – I’m just about to finish and I’ll be teaching next year. So it is really interesting to get a handle on what the issues are in terms of how technology is actually being used in schools. Of course, when I’m working in a school it will be even more relevant.
Good luck.
Tania.