Moving Toward web 2.0 in K-12 Education

Moving Toward web 2.0 in K-12 Education
http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2008/10/moving-toward-web-20-in-k-12-education/

This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of web 2.0 in the classroom. Web 2.0 is the latest phase of the internet that is interactive, the audience is no longer just watching they are contributing to the experience.

The article points out that most parents are not up to speed on the latest web technologies and therefore students have no guidance on the internet and the safe use of these new networking technologies. The author argues that this is one of the best reasons for teaching with web 2.0, the opportunity to guide students on the proper and safe use of the internet.

There are however many benefits of Web 2.0 as a teaching tool such as, Engagement, authenticity, participation, openness and access to information, collaboration, creativity, passionate interest and personal expression, discussion, asynchronous contribution, proactivity, and critical thinking.

As with everything there are a few drawbacks to implementing web 2.0 in the classroom such as cost, legal liabilities, teacher training , and the negative opinion of social networking in society.

Dispite the drawbacks Web 2.0 can be a great teaching tool that allows students to engage in the subject and collaborate with their peers. Web 2.0 should not be banned from schools but encouraged as a learning opportunity.