Week 2 Reflection

Last week we studied wikis, blogs, RSS, and microblogs.  The ensuing discussions with classmates have been  valuable, as it is useful to hear how others are making practical use of these tools. A candid discussion as to the concerns and impediments to integration of these technologies is also beneficial. As we have seen, the possibilities for integration into the classroom are endless. Web 2.0 technologies afford us new, innovative learning approaches and a wide variety of new environments in which to interact with the learner.

Critical to integrating these technologies is the understanding that new skills are likely necessary (e.g., media literacy skills, information literacy skills, computer technology skills) for both teacher/student. As always—Internet safety and cyberethics must be enforced.  It should be recognized that integrating these tools requires more time and training for the teacher and professional development for this purpose should be the norm. As a classmate eloquently stated, “What strikes me after having read about some success stories of using blogs and wikis is how much planning and scaffolding is involved and how these must be based on strong pedagogical principles such as promoting higher order thinking and improving literacy skills.”  Guidelines and policies must be well thought out and incorporated into each activity using these tools, while keep learning objectives at the forefront of the lesson, to make effective pedagogical use of Web 2.0. 
Just when I’m feeling comfortable with the integration of Web 2.0 tools in the classroom,  Google reported today that they are adding a new Web application that will undoubtedly move some of us out of our comfort zone: Google Wave http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/29/google.wave.beta/index.html.  Google Wave "promises to revolutionize online communication. . . and hopes to replace e-mail as the main way people communicate online.”   The Web application  combines elements of e-mail, chat, Wiki documents, blogs and photo-sharing sites to create a form of Internet communication called a "hosted conversation," or a "wave."