Module 2: Communication Technology
WEB 2.0
INTERACTIVE ONLINE COMMUNICATION
2readwriterevolution.pptx: Download Dr. Steve's presentation on the Read/Write Web Revolution.
The original version of the Web (we could probably call it Web version 1.0) was a place where companies and others published material for the reader to consume. In the recent years we have seen an evolution to more participatory aspects of the Web. Web 2.0 tools are more participatory. Beyond being participatory, these new tools are transforming the Web into a global collection of human knowledge in which everyone adds, reacts, and edits the material.
What will electronic communication be like into the future:
- Collaborative.
- Dialogue.
- Concept of ownership and copyright will change.
- Concept of what consititutes a "valid source" changes drastically.
- Evaluation of online sources grows in importance.
What will the classroom of the future be like with Web 2.0 tools:
- Students produce as well as consume content.
- Students experience many "teachers."
- Teaching becomes a dialogue and conversation, rather than lecture.
- Memorizing information (as in an information scarcity environment) becomes less significant than the ability to locate and evaluate information.
- Concept of "writing" takes on many forms, and includes multimedia creation. Awareness of audience grows in importance.
- The "product" students produce will become more significant than a test grade.
- In the "old days," students would gather information to produce a report. Now, much of the information gathering has already been done, housed at Wikipedia, blogs, and other sites. A student's job in the future will be to analyze these sources and synthesize the information, adding to the existing body of knowledge.
- ALL OF THE ABOVE-LISTED ITEMS REQUIRE NEW SKILLS AND NEW LITERACIES. This means that the skill set and role of teachers is continuing to evolve.
Consider this:
- Wikipedia may experience errors and electronic vandalism, but it is usually corrected quickly due to the large community of readers. Newspapers and other publications also experience errors.
- When a major event occurs in the world (e.g., disaster, political happening), Wikipedia (and also blogs, Facebook, Flickr, and other sites) have information posted. This is quicker than any news media can get word out on the developing story.
- The American Psychological Association (APA), in its 2010 release of the Publication Manual of the APA (6th Edition) validated blog posts, video blog posts, postings to newsgroups and online discussion groups, and electronic mailing list messages.
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blog: Shortened form of the the word weblog. Blogs are Web-based journal pages which are added one at a time, with the most recent on top. Blog posts normally allow readers to comment on each post, opening the possibility for dialogue.
In education, blogs can be used to allow students to post material that teaches others. Another educational use is to allow students to perform peer reviews about writing. Blogs are also great sources of information!
Advantages of blogging for students: (http://supportblogging.com/Educational+Blogging)
- Provides an avenue to express ideas.
- Encourages enthusiasm for writing.
- Engages students in conversation and learning.
- Provides an opportunity to teach about responsible journalism.
- Empowers students.
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Read about and try blogging.
- Blogs in general
- Blogs in education
- Start blogging!
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wiki: From the Hawaiian term, wiki wiki (meaning "quick"), this technology involves a Web page that is set up so as to allow readers to add and edit information on the Web page. When an edit link appears, readers of the Web page are taken into a text editing environment, and are allowed to make changes to the Web page for everyone to see. Wiki's function as collaborative tools, allowing multiple people to edit the same Web page while it is online for everyone to see.
In education, a wiki can function as a collaborative tool.
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Both the future Web and the future classroom will be more collaborative, social places, where learning comes from many sources and in many forms, and where learners produce content as well as consume it. Be part of the revolution!
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