What is Web 2.0 and why should teachers know about it?
Web 2.0 offer students tools to interact, develop and create information or news and then share them to others around the globe on the web. These are used through the browsers instead of the desktop software. Some of these tools are Blogs, Podcasts, wiki, photo sharing and many more. Teachers are better off knowing about the web 2.0 because they are responsible to teach students who are already advanced in technology. Implementing the use of these tools in the classroom can effectively enhance classroom participation, learning and also enjoyment. The collection of these web based tools are available for students and will help engage them in their learning and enhance their work performance because working with technology is something that students enjoy to do. This not only can be of benefit for the students but also for the teachers themselves.It can also be a great way to communicate other teachers, faculty and parents.
What is a Blog and why should every teacher have one?
A blog is a way for individuals to express their opinions and thoughts on particular subject matters. A blog is a place where those individuals are able to share their stories and at the same time get feedback from readers.It gives opportunity to write what they believe and influence other readers to build their own opinions about the same subject matter. A blog is a great way for them to voice their concerns and to see if others share the same concern. Every teacher should have a blog so that they are familiar with blogging and are able to communicate class assignments or discussions to students technically. It will also allow them to read the ideas and opinions of their students and interact and communicate with them outside the classroom walls.
What are the pedagogical implications of student driven BLOGS in contrasting to a teacher-created website?
It is no longer the "it" thing to meet up with your group and work on an assignment at the library or even stay an hour or two after school. Now, blogging allow students to work with other class members on assignments and explore opinions of other classmates about the subject matter without having to meet up. It also encourages students to practice reflecting on others thinking, put in words their thoughts and respond to other posts and opinions shared on these blogs. In contrast having a teacher-created website will direct students to their writing and spark conversations on a particular classroom discussion. A teacher-created website will allow students to go on it and identify what the teacher wants them to complete and gives opportunity for students to ask for assistance if needed. Blogs also allow support peer editing, where they and other students can read ideas and comment on them. A great advantage of blogging and teacher-created website is that parents are also involved. They are able to keep updated with what their children are learning and the homework that they are meant to have done for that week.
