I think Web 2.0 technologies in the classroom can be useful. However, I think that students safety and privacy must be taken into consideration. A useful 2.0 technological tool for students would be one that the teacher monitors and controls that is also password protected. This way only the fellow students in the classroom have access. For example, a class blog is a great way for students to upload homework assignments and reflections as well as allow the teacher to update the students in an online environment. Students will also be able to comment on other student blogs. Teachers must monitor the posts and make sure interaction is positive. I do not think Twitter is a useful 2.0 tool for younger students because there is too much freedom on this type of site for inappropriate content and interactions. However, I do think Twitter is a great tool for teachers to get information from professionals and colleagues.
After researching different 2.0 tools, I decided to look up the example of LibraryThing (https://www.librarything.com/home) that was stated in the blog post instructions. I actually created an account because I found this to be a very unique tool that I have never heard of. Because I want to be an English teacher, this source can definitely help me and my class in the future. Through book reviews, recommendations, conversations, and access links to purchase books, LibraryThing is like the 21st century book club. I think I would use this for a club if I was the administrator for it. Most high schools have a book club and I think this would be a great way for the members to stay connected and get new ideas for books to read. For teaching purposes, I would use this site to find new books to assign as readings for my class. This way I can find the best books for my students to enjoy and learn from. As a student in high school, I always thought my teachers required the best readings and I want my future students to think the same about me.
I think electronic paper holds the most promise for educational technology in the future for multiple reasons. Not only would it save tons and tons of paper which is great for the environment (Bonus!), but it also will allow teachers to create handouts for different classes faster and reduces the chance for loss of items due to the use of the cloud. Electronic paper seems to be expensive, but it has the chance to be far cheaper than e-readers and maybe one day be cheaper for students that must purchase textbooks. This idea seems so far out there and far away, but it is in development now and it is only a matter of time it is in our classrooms.
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