Monday, February 24, 2014

Thing #5 - Perspectives on Web 2.0

Regarding Steve Hargadon's Web 2.0 Is the Future of Education, his viewpoint is dreamy but I don't think it will work. According to Mr. Hargadon, Web 2.0 is considered the read/write interface of the internet. This includes blogs, wikis, social networks, podcasting, and video/photo sharing sites. The basis of Web 2.0 is on social integration and collaboration, which I'm a big fan of. However, I don't think this technology classroom is doable with the current platform for our public education system. There is a grave disparity between resources available to high and low achieving schools and transforming the school systems to be completely reliant on technological immersion would only exasperate those issues. I also feel as though relying completely on technology takes away the human element of learning through dialogue and real social interaction. Communication isn't just what you say; it's facial expressions, body language, voice inflections, and tone. All these nuances of communication are lost in the cyber world. Lastly, it's utterly frightening that my own children may be plugged into this technologically dependent society. No society should be wholly dependent on their creations. Rather, humans should depend on their minds and stick to their roots regarding social interaction. To sum it up, use the technology and information to help students learn but don't let it consume you.

I believe School 2.0 means entering students into a cyber education program. Ironically, progressing into the future with technology-based education (School 2.0) means we would be regressing in society. Educating students doesn't stop with gaining knowledge. Children gain wisdom and build character through the hidden curriculum ingrained through the present-day public education system.

In the sense of making schools completely technological, administrators and teachers across the nation are going to be pressured even more to perform.  There will be new technological standards that may not be able to be met due to a lack of resources.  Overall, School 2.0 would be producing technological zombies and wizards rather than competent young adults.

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