The Role of the Teacher in the Web 2.0 World

Whether or not we educators have embraced it, Web 2.0 is here. Not only is it here, but it has the potential to fundamentally change the landscape of learning in our schools...if we allow it to happen. In previous posts, I have referenced Clayton Christensen, who argued that technology will be the "disruptive technology" that causes a paradigm shift in teaching and learning in our schools. He also posited that if public schools do not embrace this "disruptive technology" then our consumers will look outside of our system for the services they are demanding.

Such discussions are understandably uncomfortable for those of us in public education. We wonder what our role will be in this new paradigm? If kids have access to the information we used to teach them, then what will they need us for? How can we successfully teach using Web 2.0 tools when the kids know more about them than we do? How can I use Web 2.0 tools in my classroom when my administrator doesn't see the value? How can I justify the use of these technology tools to parents who want their kids taught as they were? All of these questions make us justifiably uncomfortable. However, as I recently read, "If you aren't uncomfortable in education right now, you aren't paying attention."

One of the blogs I follow is Dangerously Irrelevant, which focuses on issues surrounding technology, leadership, and the future of our schools. One of his recent posts was a summary of three sessions spent at a conference where Will Richardson was one of the featured speaker. Will Richardson is a well-known presenter who focuses on 21st century learning skills and how they are impacting student learning. In perusing the author's notes from this presentation, I discovered a YouTube video that Richardson used to illustrate how Web 2.0 is changing education and the role of teachers.

In this video, there is a twelve year old boy who has unsuccessfully been trying to make a bow drill set. He decides to make a YouTube video asking for help. In his video, he shows how he is trying to accomplish this, and then openly asks for people to identify what he is doing wrong. As Will Richardson stated, here is what this twelve year old understands.

• He assumes there is an audience and they will respond.
• He's comfortable asking for help.
• He views YouTube as a learning tool.
• After only 101 views, he had 10 comments giving specific idea/suggestions to help.
• He knows that YouTube gives him the ability to send his question out to 1.7 billion people.

What is the learning opportunity for we educators? First and foremost, it is becoming apparent that we no longer hold the magic key to knowledge. When our students need answers, we no longer have a monopoly on the information, because they can use any number of Web 2.0 tools to find whatever they need. As Daniel Pink said in his book, A Whole New Mind, “an English speaking thirteen year old in Zaire with internet connection can find out the current temperature in Brussels, or closing price of IBM stock or name of Winston Churchill’s second finance minister as quickly as the head librarian in Cambridge university." This may cause some to worry about job security. However, I would argue that if we are willing to embrace the technology, our role will be more necessary and dynamic than ever.

Because we no longer need to be the disseminators of information, we can focus on the development of application, synthesis and evaluation skills with our students. We can work alongside them in inquiry and problem-based learning opportunities. We can assist them in learning to evaluate and categorize the vast information available to them. We can help them to make global connections via Web 2.0 to enhance and reinforce their learning opportunities. We can facilitate their use of Web 2.0 to collaborate meaningfully with their fellow students outside the four walls of the classroom. The possibilities are endless...if we are open to our role changing. Instead of delivering information, educators can become invaluable in our new role as facilitators of learning.

As always, I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this subject.