Web 2.0

The author starts his article by telling the reader that he predicts that Web 2.0 will be big part of the future of education. I agree with him. Web 2.0 can be a very useful tool for educators. I think that one of biggest attribute of Web 2.0 is that it allows students and teachers to use the internet to converse with each other and build on each others ideas. One of the ways the article highlights the usefulness of Web 2.0 is point out that it engages students. Instead of students using the internet to look up information they use the internet to create their own content. This can be in the form of a blog, which can start a conversation, other students and even teachers can comment on. Everyone has the chance to hear or read different points of view. The article also says how Web 2.0 allows a student to have an authentic audience. I really like how the author highlighted this point. By posting your work on the internet you are putting out there for a potentially unlimited audience. Sometimes students are not motivated to do their best work just for a grade. Grades are not strong reinforcements for all students. By posting their work online it may reinforce students to do better than they would normally because they are essentially publishing their work for the public. By publishing their work online students can also get many more ideas on how they can improve it. One other point the author discussed was Web 2.0 helps students develop and practice their critical thinking skills. This is something that I think is very important for students to prepare them for college but also for life after school. There is so much information on the internet that students need to learn how to find information that they can trust. This is not just about finding good sources but also reading through the bias and view of a particular author which is not just helpful when using the internet but also when watching the news or reading a paper. It is obvious that there are many ways that Web 2.0 can be helpful in the classroom. How will you use it in your classroom? Do you think there is a downside to using Web 2.0? Do you think all students can benefit from it or only students who are performing at or above grade level? Will it widen or close the achievement gap between students of all socioeconomic backgrounds and special education students?