Web 2.0: The Promise and the Challenge

Those who have read some of my previous posts know that I have become quite passionate about 21st century learning skills, the challenges of the global economy, and the promise Web 2.0 tools have to assist us in preparing students to meet those challenges. I recently read an article which I believe accurately reveals why we seem to be at a standstill in integrating Web 2.0 tools into the public school learning experience.

The Consortium for School Networking recently completed a study where school administrators where surveyed on policy issues related to the adoption of Web 2.0 technologies. Not surprisingly, "administrators were overwhelmingly positive about the ways in which Web 2.0 can be of benefit to students in their academic endeavors." In fact, as I talk to other administrators, I generally find this to be the case. Most understand that for our students to become competitive players in the global economy of the 21st century, we must alter their learning envirnoments and provide opportunities for the authentic use of technology in and out of the traditional classroom setting.

As Connie Yowell, Director of Education at the MacArthur Foundation stated, "We've come to believe that kids are learning in significanty different ways because of digital media, because of the ways they can participate, they can produce, the ways that they can share information, and the ways that they can create new information."

If there is general agreement amongst school administrators regarding the value of Web 2.0 as instructional tools, then why the disconnect between philosophy and reality?

When school administrators were surveyed regarding actual implementation of Web 2.0 tools in their schools, they were much less enthusiastic. Most were concerned about providing unfettered access due to issues with student safety and school district liability. Others stated that their own lack of familiarity with these technology tools made them ineffective at facilitating their use amongst teachers. Further, others were concerned that their teachers were too unfamiliar with the tools to be able to understand them, let alone redesign their teaching methods around them.

In summary, the issue of integrating Web 2.0 tools into schools is a microcosm of the frustrations many have with change initiatives in public education. The professional literature, and most educators, have wide agreement on many things that are good for kids (like the integration of web 2.0 tools; looping; differentiated instruction; authentic assessments; etc.), but yet we struggle to integrate these things into our learning organizations. Why? Maybe we can no longer afford to wait for these ideas to bubble up and transform education?

I would be interested to know your position on the integration of Web 2.0 tools in education. I would also enjoy reading your thoughts on the issue of "change" in public schools.