One of the great things about Web 2.0 is that there is interaction between students and school staff. It isn't just a one-sided conversation anymore. While researching, I came across the following statement by Joyce Valenza of the Springfield Township High School Library, and it really touched my heart: "Through our blogging circles, we've discovered student voices that were too quiet to hear in traditional classroom groups."* Now even the really shy kids can contribute to the conversation.
What are the positive results you can see from your students using Web 2.0? Has it impacted student-teacher and student-librarian relationships? How do you think today's students differ from those of a generation ago?
* Valenza, J. (2008). A few new things. Library Media Connection, April/May, 10-13.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
That is a beautiful quote by Joyce Valenza. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhen we first began using the wiki pages to share links for research projects I gave the full-editing password to all of our students. Such a scary day! Even the classroom teachers thought that I was nuts to give students the ability to change our wiki. But, each time that I talk to a class I explain that I am trusting them to collaborate with me on the research process. I get more investment from them-- the students are actually evaluating the websites and deciding if they want to share it with their classmates. Our students feel empowered and trusted- and we have never had a case of vandalism on our wiki (knock on wood!)- in the three years that we have been using it.
Several teachers now create their own wiki pages- encouraging their students to participate in projects together and share their combined knowledge. I have seen the trust that teachers have with their students increase over the past threee years.
I'm not sure if I've seen a change in my relationships with the students. I am certainly proud of our students and glad to see that they have lived up to my high expectations.
Students of today are obviously digital natives. The tool that students use today for information, entertainment, and culture is the internet - as opposed to the tv. They are able to interact with their information and customize their own experiences. I think that students are less satisfied today with the status quo at school- and they quickly see shortcomings in instructional strategies. Students are powering down while walking into a classroom today-- whereas a generation ago classrooms were opening windowns to new opportunities and information.