I must say that I am impressed with Web 2.0 (cloud computing) because of the benefits it affords users. Among these advantages are collaboration tools such Google Docs, wikis and blogs. If these are used on a wide scale to promote literacy across our nation's schools, they might motivate our students to engage in more meaningful and constructive online communication with their peers, as opposed to what they have grown accustomed to on Facebook (to a large extent, idle gossip and damaging pictures).
Another significant benefit of Web 2.0 is that basic applications and file storage cost nothing. Consequently, much computing can be done on inexpensive computers such as netbooks. This has significant economic implications for our new government. Since it is claimed that the pre-election promise (of laptops to SEA students entering secondary schools) will be kept, then funding for this must be carefully considered. As an educator who has only recently been introduced to Web 2.0, I advocate that the government should exercise thrift with public funds and purchase netbooks, which are to be stored safely at the schools because of our appalling crime situation. Certainly these institutions should have uninterrupted internet access and the government-provided netbooks are to be released to the students for regular classroom activity.
Needless to say, Web 2.0 and netbooks will not be very effective in a classroom situation if teachers lack the necessary professional training and knowledge to use them for scaffolding students in their learning. Here is where we as reading specialists have a significant role to play.
What an interesting blog! As I read through journal articles more and more I am realising that we have lots of ground to cover in terms of infusing technology in the classroom in our country.
ReplyDeleteOnly recently I read of a nine year old boy ( from a developed country) for whom 75% of the school day consisted of work being done on his laptop. He did not have to wait on instructions from his teacher, all of his learning tasks were pre-arranged on the Internet by the teacher. The boy read e-books assigned, sent instant messaging to reflect on a topic being done, practiced some vocabulary, responded to blogs and so on. It was self directed learning. The teacher's role was that of facilitator. He even had homework to do via the Internet. Web 2.0 tools at work!
I know that that is the kind of classroom and learners that we would like to have but we are still a far way off. We can only do our part which is to use the technology when we can and maybe one day we will achieve that goal where technology takes up its rightful place in the classroom.