EDIM-502: u05a1 - Where are Web 2.0 Tools taking us?

Web 2.0 tools are popular entities to projects and classrooms that allow our students to learn, create, synthesize, and connect globally in ways that were not possible a few years ago.  These Web 2.0 tools are utilized in different fashions in all types of classrooms across the globe.  Many of these tools allow students to easily communicate, collaborate, and publish in order to create a deeper meaning and a higher level of learning.  Web 2.0 tools allow students to create and innovate, “authentic projects that are based on things that happen in the real world (Boss, 2007, Chapter 3, Section 3, para. 6),” and invest in their education to create life-long learners.  Without a doubt, our 21^st Century Learns are acquiring skills and knowledge at an exponential rate and can be overwhelmed with how to organize and deal with all of these matters in the brain.  These virtual tools allow students to digest knowledge on a different level; and many of these tools are developed with a small learning curve and intuitive technology skills in mind.  As life-long learners ourselves, we have already observed the evolution of teaching, learning, and the ever-changing demands of the work force in a few short years – and Web 2.0 tools are developed with this in mind.

With the national popularity of these tools in the classroom, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) created new standards for Advancing Digital Age Learning and they are as follows:

1.      Creativity and Innovation – the ability of students to gain a deeper understanding by developing and investing.
Web 2.0 Tools Exemplar: Glogster is a website that allows students to create a technology driven poster board in order to compose and express a culminating idea or activity. 

2.      Communication and Collaboration – the ubiquitous need and interest for all learners.
Web 2.0 Tools Exemplar: Tangler allows teachers and students to effectively discuss and debate via a thread or board post.

3.      Research and Information Fluency – fashioned after the availability and access to all types of knowledge discovered with a few short clicks.
Web 2.0 Tools Exemplar: The Globe Program creates projects where students are the authentic investigators and observe, record, and publish data. 
Web 2.0 Tools Exemplar: Diigo allows groups to create and access bookmarks in a group from any computer.

4.      Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making – integration takes learning beyond the classroom walls and makes Big Ideas applicable to students’ everyday lives.
Web 2.0 Tools Exemplar: Mindomo is a location where groups can collaborate on a MindMap and brainstorm ways to organize information.

5.      Digital Citizenship – mastering learning tools with responsibility and respect to self and others.
Web 2.0 Tools Exemplar: A location where every member can take responsibility to contribute and edit their own virtual space or classroom is Wikispaces.

6.      Technology Operations and Concepts – investigate different tools to help us master and demonstrate content.  Most Web 2.0 Tools offer a webpage dedicated to FAQ or even a discussion board where members can answer each other’s questions and offer advice.

In the student portfolio section of the ISTE standards, for environmental science, I could see my students utilizing the identification of complex global issues; develop a systemic plan of investigation; and present innovative sustainable solutions in every unit.  These ideas are all encompassing, applicable to the majority of my big ideas, and easily student topic driven for learning investment.  I am thankful for Web 2.0 tools not only for allowing my students to digest and process incredible amounts of information, but for them to be able to feel that they are making a difference and invest in their one shot at an education.

Reference List:
Boss, S., & Krauss, J. (2007). Reinventing project based learning: Your field guide to real-world projects in the digital age. Washington, D.C.: International Society for Technology in Education. [Kindle DX version]. Retrieved from Amazon.com

Nets for students 2007. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students/nets-student-standards-2007.aspx

Nets for students 2007 profiles. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students/nets-for-students-2007-profiles.aspx