The new Web – an introduction for parents
Web 2.0 – the second generation
The first generation of Internet services were static or read only sites where information could be accessed, searched and retrieved. Second generation Internet services – referred to as Web 2.0 or social networking software – allow users to read and write. Web 2.0 has radicalised the way we contribute and consume information making it possible for individuals to become experts by contributing and building communities of practice.
Web 2.0 technology is having a profound impact in classrooms with unimaginable opportunities to explore, create, innovate, collaborate and participate. Students are “accessing” people and knowledge in ways that encourage creative and reflective practices that extend beyond the classroom.
The social web: learning together
Understanding 21st century students and their needs is no easy task. Will Richardson (2006) explains that whether it is blogs or wikis or RSS, all roads now point to a Web where little is done in isolation and all things are collaborative and social in nature.
Two prominent collaborative tools being used in education are wikis and blogs. Blogs (weblogs) are a very popular Web 2.0 tool and are used in education as a way of sharing or managing information and promoting literacy and learning. Blogs can be used to showcase student work, collaborate, demonstrate analysis and synthesis and develop peer involvement. They also allow students to self-publish, present ideas, record events, promote podcasts, offer commentary, share images and much more.
Wikis are also a popular and useful way of sharing and creating knowledge or managing a project. Wiki software allows students to easily upload content to the Internet, with the important addition that it is then editable by other readers.
The best know wiki of all,
wikipedia, is an online encyclopaedia which illustrates the power of collaboration.
Over the last few years, our relationship with the Web has dramatically changed. The second generation of the Web, know as Web 2.0, is developing at a rapid rate. Simple new technologies like blogs, wikis, podcasts, flickr, social bookmarking, etc. (see glossary) are allowing us not only to create content like text, audio and video simply and easily, but to publish and share content on the Web with little effort.
Many parents are apprehensive about this new technology for a number of reasons. Often they are concerned about the type of material children can access, including video, photographs and music. Even more concerning however, is the ease with which children can use Web 2.0 technologies to share personal information about themselves with the rest of the world. Hugely popular websites such as YouTube and MySpace have been criticised for making it too easy for children to view and share inappropriate or sensitive material.
Quite often parents do not understand the capabilities of Web 2.0 technologies, and are therefore unsure about how to talk to their children about remaining safe on the Web. These technologies have amazing possibilities and when used appropriately are phenomenal learning tools. The following is a brief overview and glossary to help parents learn more about these technologies that are changing the way we learn, work and live in the world today.
RSS – coming, read or not
RSS is an acronym for
Really Simple Syndication and lets the students control what content they need in their personal learning space.
RSS has also made it possible to podcast (broadcast) audio to wider and more specialised interest groups. Podcasts can be downloaded to personal computers or mp3 players for entertainment or information. Students are beginning to produce and share podcasts of their work to peers.
One of the easiest ways to get started with RSS is to create a blog have others subscribe to the daily updates. Parents can join in the blog community and keep up-to-date with the ‘doing and thinking’ of their child’s learning spaces.
Fast forward – facts and flicks
Social bookmarking allows students to share their Internet ‘bookmarks’ or ‘favourites’ on a public website rather than searching bookmarks stored on a personal computer. Users have the option of adding tags (keyworks) to help define the information and improve the organisation and sharing of the information. While different social bookmarking sites encourage different uses, social bookmarking opens the door to new ways of organising information and categorising resources.
Pictures and images are also a vital part of communication. Learners have easy access to a pool of images or a place to store images for projects, school excursions and school events in Flickr. Students can also share and download video through YouTube and other media- sharing sites.
What does this all mean?
We are witnessing demand for new ways of learning and teaching in and outside school, driven by new forms of Web 2.0 technologies.
The learning agenda in today’s world is totally new, totally engaging, totally global and totally personal. We are embarking on a significant journey of challenge and change together, affirming our commitment to an authentic Catholic education for today’s young people.
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