Mobile Learning and Web 2.0 continue to impact learning in many ways. Currently bandwidth, filtering and reliable connections to the internet are challenges to Mobile Learning and Web 2.0. Cost can be viewed as both an advantage and a disadvantage. Many resources are free to access, allowing students to broaden their learning experiences. However, with this in mind, school districts must have to funds available to provide the proper bandwidth needed, the reliable internet connections and filtering to make this learning beneficial to students. Filtering becomes an issue sometimes when attempting to access Web 2.0. These sites are not filtered by those who create and post to them making it difficult to know when something "inappropriate" has been added.
There are many advantages to Web 2.0 and Mobile learning also. Many Web 2.0 tools are student friendly. Some even offer private sites for K-12 schools. Others such as Blackboard offer tools for students to access in a secure environment. Another advantage is the storage, the websites "hold" your work in an internet cloud. This makes it easier to access projects that students are working on for long periods of time.
One of the strongest benefits is the ability to collaborate with others. Web 2.0 allows users to collaborate with others, with students in your classroom, student to student and with colleagues.
According to the Horizon Report(2011) the author states that the need for personalized education is not adequately technology supported. The author goes on the say that with newer techonology, individual learning styles and needs are and will continually be met. As an example, if a teacher utilizes flashcardexchange.com, each student in the classroom could be working on different skills/flashcards to meet their individual needs. With my students I would utilize flashcard exchange using their sightwords. NOt all of my students are at the same reading level so they would have different flashcards. I could monitor their progress and add flashcards as they are exposed to new words.
This week I blogged about having personal experience in a school with BYOD. I am not a big fan of it. The cost to families, the demand for technology support, access to social networking sites during instruction time and unneccessary distractions are challenges. Some districts use a "loaner" program where students are loaned devices to use for the year and then at the end of the school year the devices are turned in. I think that cost would be very high for a program such as this. Where would the funds come from to pay for the devices? Who would repair the devices if problems arise? What if the student loses, breaks or damages the device? WHo covers loss/damage/theft? I am all for using more technology in the classroom. I believe that students need to be exposed to technology and the wonderful resources available to enhance their learning. In the school I teach in we currently have 2 classrooms with white boards in them. We also have a full computer lab, laptop carts for each grade level and a few students utilize ipads for instructional assistance. It is my goal this school year to utilize more technology with my students and expose them to many different Web 2.0 tools.
Resources
Shelly,G.B., Gunter, G.A, & Gunter, R.E. (2012). Teachers discovering computers; integrating
technology in a connected world. Boston, MA: Course Technology, Cengage Learning.
The Role of Web 2.0 Technologies in K-12 Education. Retrieved from; http://www.vstereg.org/vste/ee/documents/Web20Advocacy.pdf
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