Transitioning to Web 2.0
Posted by: mfuson in Web 2.0 Tools, tags: classroom, Education, Web 2.0 ToolsRight this moment, I am attempting to critique two classroom management systems which I believe are somewhat new, Quia and LAMS. Both sites are very interesting and seek to improve upon the classroom management systems such as Moodle and Blackboard. The one apsect that truly stands out about these systems is the unbelievable interactivity they afford students in the classroom. They really underline the length to which our society and they way people can interact have changed.
The thing that torubles me, though, is the utilization of this technology. I can remember first beginning to use Moodle in the classroom. Two other teachers piloted this effort with me through an InAccess grant. I was immediately a fan of the students’ ability to message one another even if it was not instantaneous. My two collegues felt quite differently. They wanted the message feature turned off right away, believeing that it led to cheating and students who were inattentive to the classroom. Of course, they have a legitimate concern. Students with freedom will sometimes choose to “tune out”, and while I can’t say that is a good thing, I can definately say that “tuning out” is an indictment of what is going on in the classroom. If the student does not care about what the teacher is teaching, then the tecaher needs to connect it to their life. In order to do that, we need to utilize the technologies students use in order to communicate, which takes us right back to the central problem; Students utilizing the technology to do something other than what the teacher is instructing.
So, is it better to control your environment and block out these technologies, or is it better to open up these tools and instruct students to use them correctly and responsibly? I know where I stand, I’m just wondering where everyone else stands.
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