The Read/Write Web in the Classroom

The more I read blogs on the Internet, the more overwhelmed I am regarding the use of the new Web 2.0 tools in the classroom. Since these tools are not used in schools in my region, I had not idea how prevalent they are, even in the elementary classroom.

I logged on to the Weblog of Wesley Fryer, whose site won the teacher blog of the year award. His most recent post explained that he was going participate in a workshop with 56 teachers from New York and complete a "Virtual Speed Dating activity. Naturally I was curious.....

The link brought me to a Wiki, created by Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach. The page links to the blogs of various educators from around the world. Fascinating stuff!!! Almost all of the links are to elementary school educators who are using wikis, blogs, and podcasts with their classes.

Allanah King from New Zealand who teaches 4th and 5th graders. The students participate in creating a class blog and apparently each class keeps a blog and studnets are encouraged to log on and post comments as well as posting message. The class keeps the blog up to date for parents to view. King explains "There are challenges in using web based educational technologies in the classroom but the rewards are great in the way of communication and engagement from students."


Paul Harrington from Wales includes podcasting in his class with students between the ages of 7 and 11. Paul explains the class projects and ends by saying "As a last word there is no way that my pupils would have a readership of their work that they do without our podcasting and class,(978 views) personal blogs (2825 views )- No longer is their work just written for me or their parents - The World reads it as well."


Lisa Duff from Maryland uses wikis and blogs with her special education students in grades 3-7. Students post to individual blogs and she adds that several of them are still keeping up their blogs even after the class has ended. Lisa added that "This class also used wikispaces to collaborate with others in Malaysia and to peer review the Horizon Project."

The article goes on to link to more teachers.
You can find links to all of the projects on the Virtual Speed Dating Site.

So what is the issue here? To what extent should we use the Web 2.0 tools in our classrooms? Is it appropriate to use these tools even with elementary aged students? I think these sites are examples what would support the use of these tools.. They engage students, enable them to meet standards, and help prepare them with 21st centure technology skills while at the same time modeling responsible use of the technology.