What does a Web 2.0 classroom look like?
A web 2.0 classroom is one that implements the use of technology with dynamic interaction. Students and teachers are the users of the technology and both can contribute as information producers. In his kind of classroom people share their opinions, thoughts and experiences through online tools. Also people not only use these technology tools but participate and interact in a more easy way. The use of applications such as podcasting, blogging, tagging, social bookmarking, social networking, and contribution to RSS are some examples of Web 2.0 classroom tools. When schools integrate Web 2.0 technologies they provide new way to engage students in a better way.
Integrating technology in the classroom is a very important tool for the curriculum of this generation. According to Prensky, teachers “should continue what they do best: leading discussion in the classroom, but they must find ways to incorporate those discussions the information and knowledge that their students acquire outside class in their digital lives” (Prensky 2006, p. 2). Today’s kids are challenging their educators to engage them at their level (2006, p.6). The kids are at the vanguard, they are innovators. Prensky mentioned in one of his articles that students have something in their lives that’s really engaging. They download music, play video games, surf the internet, etc, they all do something engaging except in school. And there it is so boring that the kids used to this other life, just can’t stand it (2006, p.2). Unfortunately new technology still faces a great deal of resistance in our schools (2006, p.2). “Let’s not just adopt technology into our schools. Let's adapt it, push it, pull it, iterate with it, experiment with it, test it, and redo it, until we reach the point where we and our kids truly feel we've done our very best’ (Prensky, 2006, p. 5) By doing this a technology-rich constructivist classroom can be created. Technology-rich constructivist classrooms advocate the incorporation of modern technology that facilitates telecommunications for a better engagement and motivation to the students of this generation.
Prensky, M. (December 2005/January 2006). Learning in the digital age: Listen to the natives.Educational Leadership, 63 (4). Retrieved June 4, 2006. Available online: http://www.ascd.org/authors/ed_lead/el200512_prensky.html
