On Its Way to K–12 Classrooms, Web 2.0 Goes to Graduate School

Abstract

As corporate and higher education settings increasingly use Web 2.0 tools, the time has come to think about preparing K-12 in-service teachers to find ways in which these tools might support classroom teaching and learning goals. This article describes a graduate course designed and taught in spring 2007. Using a modeling and situated learning framework, the article discusses Web 2.0 tools, K-12 education, and the course design. It also presents a summary of course participants' survey responses concerning their perceptions of their learning experience. Survey responses demonstrated that teacher-learners appreciated and endorsed the design of the course and felt their learning experiences scaffolded their ability to use Web 2.0 tools in their classroom and school context. The article concludes with several design recommendations and examples of classroom applications.

Learning through collaboration: video game wikis

“…Social media or 'web 2.0' tools such as wikis -including gaming wikis -might be considered personal learning environments (Dabbagh & Kitsantas, 2012), in which learners may create, organise, and share content. A wiki provides scaffolding for the learning experience (Norton & Hathaway, 2008), allowing the contributor, or learner, to carry out their work with autonomy. However, somewhat contrary to the prevailing notion in the literature that a teacher must play some part in the construction of such scaffolding and the development of a collaborative ethos (Rick & Guzdia, 2006), video game wikis are entirely self-regulated; the requisite collaboration is a spontaneous outcome of a shared interest in the subject matter.…”

Techno Savvy: a Web 2.0 curriculum encouraging critical thinking

“…Finally, it pointedly answers a call to bolster the scarce research exploring Web 2.0 technologies directly in K-12 classrooms (Greenhow, Robelia, & Hughes, 2009;Norton & Hathaway, 2008). To that end, Techno Savvy serves as a starting point for educators considering legitimate ways to further student exploration of content -in this case global issues -while building critical thinking skills with relevant digital media tools.…”

Teaching with Technology in a Future School in Singapore

“…This is hardly surprising since Web 2.0 tools are easy to use, free and readily available online (Jarcher, 2008;Norton & Hathaway, 2008). Moreover, teachers can easily create a media-rich online environment by integrating various Web 2.0 tools.…”