Wesley Fryer is delivering a 90 minute session on safety and social networks. A couple of things have occurred during the first few minutes. Like many presenters the last two days, including myself, he has asked, “How many of you know about Web 2.0, social networks, skype, etc.” and many hands went up. At what point can we stop asking that question?
Another indication of progress is that as we are talking with each other about what social networks are, and reporting to the group, a number of tables have mentioned that social networks are forcing us to rethink how we do our jobs, deliver content, facilitate learning, etc. It’s not School 2.0, but it is the conversation!
Finally, this is a great service. Recharge zone. There are several tables around the conference center with power strips. Attendees can plug in their laptops and charge up.
I asked that question last year when presnting at a large conference of 42 ICT co-ordinators (so-called ICT epxerts!) and only TWO hands went up!
We can’t stop asking our teachers what their level of knowledge is.
It is well understood without our community of web 2.0 users that we need to teach students to be safe, responsible, ethical, etc. What many teachers don’t understand is the consequences that can be faced by our students who don’t know how to be safe online and who set themselves up for problems because of what they post online.
I have recently had to deal with this issue in my district and have posted a note about that on my blog.
http://gibsonsgolfer.blogspot.com/2007/02/thin-edge-of-wedge.html
I’d have to say the answer (to your question about Web 2.0) would likely vary widely – the audience in which you were sitting is somewhat predisposed to know about it. If I asked the same question at a faculty meeting at our school, I would be surprised if 25% of the teachers raised their hands. But we’re actively working to change that (and no, it’s not really a focus on jargon, but on their Web literacy)!
I am a doctoral student, and I had very little knowledge of Web 2.0 prior to entering this class. I am sure that I am not alone. I agree with Bob, that , although students and younger people may know how to use this new technology, they are most likely not aware of the ethical issues surrounding this use. From a basic level, it seems like teachers should engage students in conversations about privacy, first amendment rights and ethical issues in general. Teachers are trying so hard to catch up to the changing environments that I don’t feel that they engage their students in enough talk about purposeful use.