Each time I learn a new Web 2.0 tool, one of my first thoughts is about trying it out in the classroom. It's almost like Christmas and there is a shiny toy that I just have to share with my friends, but in this case the friends are students and other teachers, and the shiny toy is some fun Web 2.0 application. Then comes the inevitable let-down when I get to school and discover that one of two unfortunate scenarios exist. The first one being worse than the second because it is the teaser.
Say, for example you want to use Quizlet to help prepare your students for an upcoming test. You set up your account at school, and create some vocabulary review flashcards, and are ready to try it out with students. Class begins and the students log on to the computers and follow all of your instructions and the site is BLOCKED. You had no idea that the students were not able to use this website. It worked fine for you as the educator.
The second scenario is that neither the educator nor the student can access the website at all. There are so many useful Web 2.0 tools that do not make it into the classroom. Generally, students are aware of one type of Web 2.0, social networking.
In all fairness, there is a process to get some of these sites unblocked for student usage. However, this does take at least a couple of days to a week or more depending on the site you want to use. The novelty of the new toy (or Web 2.0 tool) dims a bit in the frustration of having to jump through hoops for the students to have access to the application.
My hope is that we can all work together to find some ways to increase communication between educators and the technology coordinators (the head honchos) about using Web 2.0 in the classroom. One of our goals for the students is to promote collaboration, and we need the ability to use a wide variety of tools in the classroom to meet this challenge. I am excited to see what the future holds for our students in terms of technology and Web 2.0.
I don't always share your pain, because at the collegiate level we do not have the same blocks that are at the K-12 level. I understand that some content needs to be filtered but I also believe that as the student matures the filter needs to adjust for maturity and in the spirit of teaching responsibility and proper use. Hopefully as we understand and use technology our vision will grow and more tools will be able to be used.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog....they should block the twinkies...not the educational websites!!!
ReplyDeleteMan, that would chap my hide for sure. I know what you mean about that kid on Christmas feeling. I find these new "toys" and play with them and they're awesome and I just wanna show everyone!!!
ReplyDeleteHopefully your tech person(s) will be receptive to the fact that you're learning all these new things and maybe grant you some leeway with regard to blocks.
From what I've been reading on blogs and ed tech sites the trend is to allow more access. However, anything in education takes a LONG time. So for the district tech coordinators to get the message might take a while. I totally feel your pain, I was in a computer lab for 5 yrs and it is frustrating.
ReplyDeleteKim, I got lucky today. I had a lesson planned for my Multimedia class this morning with Voki.It occurred to me on my way to school that it could be blocked,so I got a student out of the hall before school and asked her to log on and see if she could get to the site (I could, but wanted to make sure that the students could). Thankfully, she was able to get in, but I could have had that same experience you had. Thanks for sharing because that reminds us that that could be an issue.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pain! I mean I understand both sides of the issues but to go to all that work and then get shut down...bummer.
ReplyDeleteI've heard about this issue for K-12. While I understand the reasonings, I do believe that in a lab environment teachers should be able to control where students can go on the Internet. Or even if it's blocked the process of getting it unblocked shouldn't take so long.
ReplyDelete