Journal 5

Journal 5

Groff, J, & Hass, J. (2008). Web 2.0 today's technology, tomorrows learning. Learning and Leading, 36(2),

In Web 2.0, Today’s Technology, Tomorrow’s Learning the authors discuss the impact of social networking, simulations and digital gaming in the classroom. Students in today’s world often are using these technologies outside of the school setting. Sites like Facebook, Second Life and World of Warcraft get and keep students engaged. There are a collection of educators, researchers and designers that are working together to bring technologies into the classroom that are engaging and foster student learning. Many of the sites and software allow teachers to bring in interactive situations. One example was studying the human circulatory, something that they can not physically experience. With the use of software students are giving the opportunity to experience the system from an interactive perspective, it also allows for advanced learning were students can be given situations which they can then apply what they have learned to solve problems. Another technology is Ning. Ning is a social networking site that can be created by teachers to create a private network for their students. The site can be used to communicate between teachers and students and student to student. Students can share information on projects and expand class discussions.
While with everything new there are bumps and set backs. Knowing this going in will allow teachers to be open to try new software in the classroom. The ultimate goal is student learning, if the use of technology can help facilitate that then it is definitely worth shot.