As a result of Web 2.0, I see technology taking learning to a whole new level. As educators are learning and becoming more comfortable with the tools, they will begin to embed much more technology into their instruction. They need to not be afraid to take chances and try new things for if they are afraid, their students will suffer. However if they open themselves up to change, the opportunities are endless. Students will be more active and invested in their learning because technology is something that they know and can relate to. In the future, I predict that every child will have a computer on their desks and that all or most work will be done completely on it.
One of the opportunities that are emerging that I am most excited about is being able to interactively communicate with students as they are working, for example in a Google document. I also think that an amazing opportunity would be for students to participate in podcasts. For example, a student studying Spanish might listen to a podcast from a teacher in Spain.
In order for educators to teach the ethical use of all of these interactive resources, they must first learn about the latest copyright laws and procedures, and then make sure that they are following them at all times. When children see that the adults in their lives are modeling correct procedures, they'll be more apt to follow them as well. Additionally, I feel that it is important to begin teaching students very early on, even in Kindergarden, as five year olds today are already on the computer. It's never to early to learn.
You got it!!
ReplyDeleteJoan