Technology In Education Online

After traveling to various conferences across the country, a similar message has been told to me regarding Web 2.0 tools, “These are really great tools! But our school district doesn’t allow us to use them.” John Dewey stated, “In more primitive societies at least what is learned is put into practice, whereby in formal institutions often the educational process is far removed (abstract and bookish).”

And so as I prepare to present at upcoming conferences this fall, these words echo in my mind.  If we are to move beyond this restrictive environment we’ve placed on students, we are faced with a daunting task of relinquishing control.  We continually define new ways to distance ourselves from our students.  By placing more and more restrictions on these tools we move further away from our students connecting with their learning.

On top of this, we must look for ways to not create more of a digital divide in the utilization of these Web 2.0 tools.  We must discover ways to offer these tools to students that may not have a computer and Internet access at home.  Can we move progressively forward and ignore the possibility of losing more students due to this fact?  These are difficult times but we must find ways to put this technology in the hands of all students.  With the use of netbooks and the cooperation of Internet service providers we can move forward to this dream.