Web 2.0 Discussion on Britannica

I came across a great discussion on Web 2.0 and education on the Britannica blog. First, kudos to Britannica for using the web to add to and improve the knowledge base of their already wonderful work. I guess competition (from Wikipedia, Encarta, et.al) can be a good thing. Their blog, with the subtitle "Where ideas matter" makes sense. I am caught up in the forum this week on the uses of technology and education and will perhaps need to write later about it as I wait to digest the meat of their ideas.

The forum first begins with Steve Hardagon with an entry entitled "Moving Toward Web 2.0 in Education." posted on October 22 and then a follow-up "Why Web 2.0 Will Not be an Integral Part of K-12 Education." by Dan Willingham. Hardagon explains the advantages and obstacles of education during this revolution of information. I have seen in my classroom aspects of Web 2.0 tools to achieve goals of engagement, authenticity, greater participation, dealing with openness and greater access of information, collaboration, creativity, personal expression, asynchronous contribution, critical thinking, etc. I also know by working with other teachers that if they are not ready or adequately trained, it is not going to happen. Willingham has a good closing "The wisest course may not be to find the 'best practices' with the expectation that they will apply across the board, but rather to expect that teachers will select pedagogical practices based on their own strengths and the material they teach, and to support them in that choice." I just believe that these new tools and applications of the web can help them be more effective in their own teaching and better reach our students. After all, Willingham is part of this information "conversation" on a blog, a Web 2.0 tool to reach teachers and students, which is much better than reading an encyclopedic definition.