Some thoughts on the Advantages and Disadvantages of Web 2.0 Tools in Education

Before beginning this class, my knowledge of Web 2.0 technologies and really technologies in general was very limited. When it came to the idea of using technology in an educational setting, I was only aware of the tools that I had seen other teachers use and those were few in number. As this class has progressed and I have been researching various tools and technologies for the class projects, I have gained a greater understanding of some of the advantages and disadvantages of using Web 2.0 tools in education. I would say that, in my opinion, one of the greatest advantages of using these tools is that they offer educators the opportunity to change/enhance their students' learning/classroom experience. The incorporation of these technologies helps to engage students so that they can become more actively involved in the learning process. I have seen how static classrooms can often become and I hate to admit that I have often been the type of person that falls into a pattern of always doing things the way that they have been done before. This idea can negatively affect the learning process and the use of Web 2.0 tools in the classroom allows teachers to step outside the norm and change the way they present information to their students or help their students learn. While these tools can certainly be helpful, there can also be disadvantages to their use as well. One of the issues that I can see in using Web 2.0 tools in an educational setting is the fact that this technology needs to be carefully evaluated and/or monitored when being utilized by students. While there are numerous tools available that are deemed appropriate for classroom use and use by certain age students, I still believe that it is important that the teacher take the time to determine if the use of a particular tool is appropriate for the students in his/her classroom. Another issue that I would consider a disadvantage to using Web 2.0 tools in education, is the fact that while some tools are extremely beneficial, there can often be a substantial learning curve to implementing these tools within the classroom. If the use of a Web 2.0 tool requires a teacher to spend too much class time teaching the students how to use the tool, I do not feel that the tool is serving its intended purpose. Trying to implement Web 2.0 tools in an educational setting can also be difficult if the school lacks the proper resources to successfully use the tools in a classroom setting. Coming from an area where budgets are often tight and schools are not always equipped with the latest technology, I have found myself often wondering if I would be able to successfully implement one of the many great tools that I have discovered through this class. While this is not necessarily a disadvantage of Web 2.0 in education, it is something that I often contemplate. Overall, if teachers find the right tools, I believe that the use of Web 2.0 technologies can be a wonderful addition to a educational environment. I hope that when I have my own classroom, I will be able to incorporate some of the tools that I have learned about in this class.