Research Essay
Web 2.0 is essentially an increasing range of software that supports a variety of technologies for open and collaborative communication, learning and creativity. Discuss.
As students, classrooms and generations are constantly changing it is imperative that teachers are aware of, and more importantly, evolving concurrently with these changes. In recent years one of the most important changes to teaching has been the increased range and availability of technology. Technology has been such a large advancement in effective teaching as it not only involves students on a much larger level but it also connect the teaching generation to the learning generation in a way that little else can.
Initially, technology was installed in classrooms and computers were available for students to type and print off work. Then the internet was available to them to conduct searches through, conduct communications with emails and eventually create whole WebPages dedicated to topics selected by them. Now however, the web has exceeded a point that most though possible. Through Web2.0 the internet has become a place for collaborative sharing, communication and work.
As mentioned, in the earlier stages of the web students were able to create their own WebPages and conduct communication through emails. However as it has since increased this stage of technology is now known as Web1.0. Web2.0 includes blogs, wikis, and applications such as MySpace, facebook, flickr and del.ico.us. Web2.0 is possible because of advancing technologies and particularly, in effective teaching and learning it provides a platform for social networking through a medium that allows for sharing, informing, communicating and interacting. Instant communication, online sharing journals and sharing of photographs are just some of the possibilities that Web2.0 offers education.
One of the most important theories within the teaching world at the moment is Howard Gardner’s idea of multiple intelligences. Gardner says that there are eight possible intelligences for a person to have and they are:
• Linguistic intelligence
• Logical-mathematical intelligence
• Spatial intelligence
• Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence
• Musical intelligence
• Interpersonal intelligence
• Intrapersonal intelligence
• Naturalist intelligence
These intelligences are also the way that people learn. Gardner says that each person learns differently through the different intelligences as each claim different dominance in different individuals. As a teacher it is fundamental that these different intelligences are taken into account and not just studied as a teaching theory as truth is they exist and without their implementation no effective teaching and learning can occur (M.K. Meyerhoff, “The Real World Value Of Multiple Intelligences”, Education Horizons, 2005, NeiTA, Australia).
Using Web2.0 in the classroom is a fantastic example of how a majority of these intelligences can be reached through the one medium. It offers education the chance to use videos, music, sounds, communities and puzzles in order to connect with a larger number of students despite their differing learning styles.
Possibly one of the most important aspects of Web2.0 in education is that its advancing technologies allow for collaboration in nearly every aspect of the web. This is exceptionally important in relation to Gardner’s intelligences and specifically intrapersonal intelligence. Intrapersonal intelligence is having the ability to understand yourself and learn about and within ones self. Educational theorist believe that this is one of the most fundamental intelligences for student to have in order to build upon and utilize their other intelligences. By using the communities that Web2.0 provides students are given the opportunity to interact with other peers. This interaction and community that will become not dissimilar to the adult world allows students to “develop a sense of who they are as they interact with other members of the community, learning about relationships, conflicts and compromise”. This sense of self is what gives students the confidence to learn and grow and eventually graduate and enter the “adult world with a greater understanding of who they are and what is expected of them” (M. Sellars, “The Role Of Intrapersonal Intelligence in Self Directed Learning”, Issues In Education Research, 2006, Western Australian Institute for Educational Research, Australia).
Another popular educational theorist that is relevant to the technologies of Web2.0 is William Glasser and his theory of children’s five driving needs. They are:
1. Survival e.g., food, water, shelter etc
2. Love and Belonging
3. Power
4. Freedom
5. Fun
Web2.0 offers teachers a way to ensure that many of these five fundamental needs are being met for students within the classroom. Essentially, Web2.0 can be used collaboratively to empower students and advance their learning. As mentioned Web2.0 combines all of its technologies and applications to create an online community between its members giving students who participate a sense of belonging within their MySpace, Facebook of wiki community.
As well as belonging Web2.0 is very efficient in giving students power and freedom over the internet. Within their online communities it is the student who are responsible for designing their aliases, selecting friends and organizing what is available for viewing. Along with this, the interactive media, music and games offered to the student via Web2.0 offers both students and teachers a chance to incorporate games and fun within the learning curriculum in an accessible and relevant matter.
Just as Gardner’s theory is concerned with advancing higher level learning within the students so is Glasser’s. If a teacher is striving to ensure that as many of the students five essentially needs are being fulfilled then their chances of achieving effecting teaching and learning are greatly increased. Carey says by fulfilling these needs, teachers are essentially empowering their students. By granting them power and freedom they are giving students greater responsibility without removing the concept of fun. By doing this teacher are helping to develop the sense of self within each student and as mentioned this is imperative to successfully educate students in a manner which will help them survive the adult world (P. Carey, “Empowering Students In The Classroom”, Australian Career Counselor, 2002, Catholic Education Office of Western Australia, Australia).
Another great advantage that Web2.0 and its technologies bring to the classroom is that it creates a bond or a link between the teaching generation and the student’s generation to the likes of which little else has ever done. Although the teaching generation may never be as familiar and comfortable with the advancing software and technologies as their students may be, many teachers are ensuring that they are aware of its changes and abilities so that they can utilize it to communicate with their students.
Increasingly in schools teachers are using emails to send and receive assessment task. They create blogs and wiki’s that are open for class discussion or questions and the use of sharing applications such as YouTube, TeacherTube and podcasts would be sorely missed in classrooms as teaching tools. By using these technologies, teachers have been able to create a common link between themselves and their students. They have become aware of and have an understanding of the habits and hobby’s of contemporary students and are able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of what Web2.0 has to offer.
Web2.0 is certainly the result of every increasing software and technology. It offers its users a platform on which to create communities, collaborations and advance learning. Although originally built as a social network, Web2.0 has become essential to use within classrooms to assist effective teaching and learning. Not only does it provide students and teachers a common ground on which to relate it can be very effective in providing students with a sense of belonging, power, freedom and fun. Aspects that happen to be four of the five essential needs for children as set out by Glasser. As well as this Web2.0 allows teacher a greater chance at appealing to a majority of the differing intelligences within their classroom through its multiple mediums meaning that each students has a greater chance of achieving higher level learning despite having a different learning style to other students. By utilizing Web2.0 and it advancing technologies and software, teachers are offering their students and chance to participate in communities, as they will when they graduate, indulge in their particular learning intelligence and hold a sense of power and freedom over their learning and their life.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/erm0621.pdf- 12/30/2007
P. Carey, “Empowering Students In The Classroom”, Australian Career Counselor, 2002, Catholic Education Office of Western Australia, Australia
M.K. Meyerhoff, “The Real World Value Of Multiple Intelligences”, Education Horizons, 2005, NeiTA, Australia
M. Sellars, “The Role Of Intrapersonal Intelligence in Self Directed Learning”, Issues In Education Research, 2006, Western Australian Institute for Educational Research, Australia
