Peter Duffy (2008) states “ Students today have grown up within a world of pervasive technology including mobile phone, digital cameras and the omnipresent internet.” My youngest child turns 12 today and he wants a cell phone. A cell phone! I did not receive a cell phone until I married and had my first child. Of course, I did not take a computer class until I was out of high school either.
As I began reading this article regarding Web 2.0 and the opportunities that exist today, I look around to see how the world has evolved in the Ward household. Computers, satellite TV, IPODS, MP3 players, cell phone, Wii, PS3, and Xbox360 all with wireless Internet capabilities so the boys can keep up with their virtual games. Even the family pet, Sady, has a micro chip under her skin in case she gets lost. It amazes me that technology comes so easy for them and their expectations exceed items such as VCR's, cassette tapes, and typewriters.
Technology has changed immensely since the 80's. Educators who want to engage student learning should incorporate Web 2.0 components. Duffy (2008) states “New Web 2.0 technologies and websites, such as a blog, wiki or YouTube, make new demands on learning, and they provide new supports to learning.” He goes on to say that students “expect instant responses and feedback” because they “absorb information quickly.” (Duffy, 2008) Tools such as Facebook, YouTube, Blogs, Podcasting, Flickr, and Wiki's are “strategies for teaching and learning” as long as educators are willing to learn with the students. (Duffy, 2008)
Reference:
Duffy, P. “Engaging the YouTube Google-Eyed Generation: Strategies for Using Web 2.0 in Teaching and Learning.” The Electronic Journal of e-Learning Volume 6 Issue 2, pp 119-130, available online at www.ejel.org.
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Kim,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post and agree that students do expect us to be ready to integrate Web 2.0 technologies into our curriculums. Which, if any, of the technologies you listed have you used (or witnessed) in the classroom? Are there any in which you see potential benefits and what are those benefits?
I look forward to your thoughts!
Tiffany
At the community college where I work, the capture device used to record lectures can be used for Podcasting and a few of the instructors use YouTube videos but basically that’s it. One of the reasons why I enrolled in the DE program is to see what technology is out there and how it can be incorporated into course development. Knowledge is power…
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