Many them are great. The one challenge is that if KPR educators all decide on different tools (for example there are 5 recommended tools to create wikis) then it becomes more difficult to provide PD and support for each other.
Some years ago I had the chance to get a tour at River Oaks Public School in Oakville - which had one of the top reputations in Canada and the world - (many international educators toured it) in the successful use of technology in the classroom. See Wikipedia article on it:
I interviewed the Jerry Smith, the principal and asked him what is important for the successful implemenation of technology in schools. He said one of the most important things to do is standardize the use of the technolgy so both students and teachers can teach each other how to use it. He also said it very important to choose technolgy that will last into the future. From the list of web 2.0 tools in the above link how many will still be around in five years ?
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I have given considerable thought to the idea of standardization of web 2.0 tools. These are my personal opinions based on several years of thought around 21st century learning.
Presently, I see no advantage to restricting or standarizing on a suite of tools. Standarization can lead to exclusion and loss of choice which can be a obstacle...consider Corel Suite...it's a standard...Is it the best choice?
There have been HUGE changes in technology as we have moved from computers with one way screens to interactivity, choice and possibilities for collaboration on in the read write web.
It should be considered that the understandings of a principal, from a forward looking school, several years ago cannot reflect the needs of today in education. If he is indeed forward looking he must understand exponential evolution in technology. I think we need to question him again at this juncture in time.
I am not sure that we need to standardize the tool we choose as much as provide guidance in how the tools at hand can support learning in the classroom. The implememtation of a stable base can require standarization, and in this I agree with him. However, the web 2.0 tools are not really a base. They enable interaction across a stable system but do not enable sustainability of the infastructure.
In fact by perscribing a standard suite of tools we may restrict the innovation that teachers and their students may develop through the use of a variety of tools.
I know this is becoming a cliche however,"We do not know what we do not know" and by setting up standards in collaborative tools we may limit teacher buyin as we devalue their professional judgement as regards the ability of a tool we do not fully, understand to engage students in their.
Perhaps we could suggest an introductory set of tools from the various subgroups of 2.0 applications. However, I believe that restricting the choice by establishing a standard set would perhaps be premature and slow adoption and impose a loss of choice on the teachers.
All teachers are individuals and may see incredible potential in a tool that others discount. I think it is important to provide teachers, and through them their students a change to dabble in the unknown to make meaning for themselves. For example choosing one WiKi over another is not the point, but choosing to support Wiki's in general may be the more meaningful support.
Using one is the same as another, same with blogs,editors,audio studios etc. The buttons are in different places but the application in the classroom is the same. I would think it would be best to introduce but provide insight into many. In this way we are establishing a mindset of adoption and avoiding exclusion.
What may be needed is the shift in thinking that promotes/enables teachers she benefit of using collaborative tools in the classroom to engage students in higher order thinking
I cannot read into the future 5 years... or even 1 for that matter, but I can answer the question...Which applications will be there in 5 years...None of them is the answer...all will have changed as the community of users/creators guides the evolution of the multidimensional web for colaboration, publishing etc. The communities that have created them may still be around but the tools will need to have morhed in order to survive the constant tension of change.
In short then, while supporting the ideas of standarization of infastructure. I do not think I would focus my attention on developing standards to meet needs we have not yet developed an understanding of.
Today I met with the former chair of the 21st Century Learning Partnership who unequivocally stated that the shift to providing teachers with the skills and resources to develop engaging,global activities in the key step in meeting student learning needs in the 21st century. I feel that restricting innovation through standarization will be a step backward.
http://edcommunity.apple.com/acot2/
Take a look at this address for a synopsis of her ideas.
Jeff
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