Question 2
a) Teachers can more effectively and efficiently convey new information to students using web 2.0. The web 2.0 provides multiple new technologies and a sheer mass of information and resources that teachers now have to assist in there lesson. This not only save time for a teacher in preparing a lesson but it also makes for a better lesson. A teacher can use the best information and technologies for engaging students in their learning.
Students today are digital natives meaning that their lives are surrounded by the tools of the digital age such as computers. Students thinking patterns have changed from previous generations. Today’s students (digital natives) like to work at a fast speed and multitask. The students will be engaged as these new technologies in Web 2.0 interest them. So with using a social constructivist learning approach, building on the information on what students know will assist in convey new information to them. Thus teachers that convey a lesson through Web 2.0 will be highly successful in teaching students. Refer to Marc Prensky’s article on Digital Natives, Digital Immigrantshttp://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
b) Web 2.0 fosters a collaborative environment.
According to Dearstyne (2007), Web 2.0 essentially creates, shares, remixes, repurposes, and passes along. Dearstyne, Bruce W. (2007, August). Blogs, Mashups, & Wikis Oh, My!. Information Management Journal, vol.41, no.4. http://web.ebscohost.com.ipacez.nd.edu.au/ehost/pdf?vid=5&hid=108&sid=98d9d92a-e983-43ad-a491-79900f3b0976%40sessionmgr107
Vygotsky’s social constructivist theory the zone of proximal development supports the theory of collaboration. The zone of proximal development is ‘the distance between the actual developmental level as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem solving under adult guidance, or in collaboration with more capable peers’ (Vygotsky, 1978, p. 86 )Vygotsky, L.S. (1978). Mind and society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. This means students learn more effectively from their peers, teachers and parents.
Social networking programs such as Facebook and Myspace are not only entertainment but a source of educational communication. They can be used to collect, share information and discuss tasks, a distinctive feature of web 2.0.c) Classroom management while working in Web 2.0 can be effective and easy. This is largely due to the fact that students are engaged in the lesson and therefore stay on task. However if they are working on programs in Web 2.0 you may find them on social networks such as facebook and myspace, or listening to music. A teacher must be aware of this and try to keep them on track with the task. it is quite impossible to keep them off however a lesson can still be productive. This is because students are digital natives and like to multitask (see Marc Prensky above). They may be on these other programs but they can still complete their task at the same time.
View YouTube video on classroom management
d) Web 2.0 supports higher order thinking
a) Web 2.0 supports higher order thinking. As noted in the two diagrams below of Blooms revised taxonomy, the highest order of thinking is creating (build, design, construct). The Web 2.0 typically fosters creativity through it’s hardware and software.
