Final Reflections on Teaching and Learning with Web 2.0 Tools

I have had the opportunity to explore a variety of Web 2.0 tools throughout the course of this class. From blogging to YouTube and beyond, I have come to discover that there are numerous technologies that can be great tools to implement within an educational setting. Perhaps the biggest advantage to using these tools in learning environments is that they afford the teacher and students the opportunity to change the way in which learning takes place.I would say that, in my opinion, these tools offer educators the opportunity to change/enhance their students' learning/classroom experience. Teachers can make the learning process more engaging using Web 2.0 tools and students are able to essentially take more ownership in their learning through the use of these resources. Web 2.0 tools can present information that may have once previously been unavailable to students and teachers in new and exciting ways. Many of these tools also allow students to collaborate in the learning process with either their teacher, classmates, or in some cases, students or experts from other parts of the world. Being able to access information and share resources outside of traditional class time is also another advantage of using certain Web 2.0 tools. 

While there are many great things about implementing Web 2.0 tools in a learning environment, there are also things that educators have to consider carefully before using these technologies. One of the most important things that I feel needs to be considered before implementing Web 2.0 tools within the classroom is the issue of safety and privacy. I feel that it is imperative that teachers take the time to properly evaluate tools and determine if they offer the security and privacy measures necessary to protect the students that will be using them. I also think that it is important that teachers monitor student use of any Web 2.0 tools to ensure that they are accessing appropriate content while using these resources. As someone pointed out in a class discussion post, part of our job as educators, is to help prepare and teach our students how to properly use new technologies and I think that teaching them how to safely use these tools is imperative. 

As part of our group project for this class, we developed a fairly extensive evaluation rubric for Web 2.0 tools that I feel addresses many of both the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies. This will be a great resource for evaluating future Web 2.0 tools that I might like to implement in my classroom. In the future, I would love to be able to find tools that are user friendly, have been previously evaluated by other educators for appropriate content, and work with any internet connection, regardless of the device. It would be nice to find tools that can still be effectively used when available resources may be scarce. In addition, I hope that future Web 2.0 tools contain less outside advertisements and are appropriate for all ages.

"Vanity Search" continued

As I am nearing completion of this course, I have found that my "digital footprint" has begun to expand significantly due to my increased use and exploration of Web 2.0 technologies. When I began this course, I "Googled" my name and found mainly items that I had created for previous classes and a few times where my name appeared in various newspaper articles related to school or work. Overall, I could honestly say that I did not have a very extensive "digital footprint" mainly due to the fact that much of what I had done online involved mainly research or occasional class assignments and I was not someone who routinely participated in social media platforms. Now, when I "Google" my name, a great deal more information comes up. There are links to blogs that I have done for this class and other courses, as well as links to my Twitter, YouTube, and other such accounts. I can also find links to projects and posts that were done for this course. While I am sure that my "digital footprint" is larger than it previously was, I know that it will continue to grow as I explore additional resources and Web 2.0 tools. As an educator, I think that having a significant "digital footprint" can be a good thing, as long as it reflects the learning process. I think that teachers who have a significant "digital footprints" because they are exploring and learning about new technologies show that they are continuing to expand their knowledge base and increase their technology use within their classrooms. I have seen how exploring these Web 2.0 tools over the course of this class has expanded my "digital footprint". I think that it is important that when I introduce my future students to these technologies, I work to ensure that they understand how using such tools can effect their "digital footprint" or online presence in either a positive or negative way, depending upon how they choose to use them. It is my hope that they choose to use these tools in a positive way to expand their knowledge, but I know that it is important for me to educate them about how their use can effect their "digital footprint" and how their "digital footprint" can serve as an online reflection of themselves to other users.