week three

My frustrations with web 2.0 are continuing to mount!

The good:
- Web 2.0 allows our students to create, rather than simply use.
- Web 2.0 allows students to learn in a new way.

The bad/the ugly:
- Many websites often require students to create a log-in username and password -- and my students often forget their log-in information.
- Many Web 2.0 tools are simply not usable for special needs populations -- these groups of students are missing out greatly as a result.
- Many Web 2.0 tools are blocked in schools. Usually, these are the tools that students, themselves, are familiar with and truly enjoy using. As a result, we cannot hook our students in.
- At least with my students, Web 2.0 tools can be overwhelming to learn.
- They can also be very overwhelming for educators to learn how to use.
- There are hundreds of Web 2.0 tools and it is impossible to be caught up with everything.
- Web 2.0 tools can be very time-consuming. Often, we adopt a new bit of technology and it becomes updated or irrelevant.
- As discussed on the class wiki, we as educators often erroneously keep school projects the same but now package them in fancy boxes. We need to be aware of this.

We need to remember the following:
- Although our students are 'digital natives,' this does not mean they are instantly familiar with Web 2.0 tools. They will forget their passwords. They will be overwhelmed.
- We need to make sure we are using Web 2.0 tools with a purpose and a goal in mind.
- We will be overwhelmed just like everyone else. We need to take our time and figure out what is best for our population.
- Hopefully in time, we will be trusted by our superiors to teach without restrictions.