Web X.0 in education

In the future, we hope that Web X.0 can be used more widespread in classrooms and improve digital equity.  Since the cost of computers or any digital appliances have begun to reduce in price comparing to several years ago, we expect that the cost will continue to be reduced or perhaps, till a stage where all, if not most people will be able to own one computer.  Thus, the chances are schools will be able to provide hardware i.e. computer for every student, which makes these devices personal and customizable.

Communication – The power of communication tools can be harnessed for learning when students can reach outside the walls of classrooms into the global community.

Now, we already see students use wikis and GoogleDocs to collaborate while creating and editing written documents and other media.  We see teachers who use social networks to find colleagues and form personal learning networks.  The use of these tools will continue to grow, both so students can learn virtually and so teachers can create online textbooks and share other teaching materials online as learning tools for virtual schools.

Since there are advances in chip design, this means faster, smaller and cheaper processors are within reach.  This in turn mean faster, lighter and cheaper computer devices.  For example, iPad and even cell phones and other handheld devices are becoming a popular appliance for teaching and learning.

In addition, Joan Ganz Cooney Center reported that

‘Advances in mobile technologies are showing enormous untapped potential for today’s generation’ .  It highlights mobility as an opportunity to improve education by encouraging anytime, anywhere learning, reaching children who live in remote places and underprivileged children, promoting collaboration and communication, and achieving personalized learning.

Nowadays, mobile phones are used for education in ‘developing countries that don’t have an extensive communications infrastructure but increasingly have access to cellular networks’ ( Shule, 2009, p.7).  The result of having mobile web-accessible devices available is anywhere, anytime learning.

Students are able to find and learn what they need to know, when they need to learn it, and in a manner that suits them based on their learning styles or the way they like to approach learning – more personalized learning.  As we have discussed previously, some students learn visually; they may think in images and learn best from visual displays, including videos, photographs, slide shows and even online presentations.  Auditory learners prefer listening and learn best from lectures and discussions.  Tactile/Kinesthetic learners prefer touching objects, moving, performing, following directions using a hands-on approach exploring the physical world

Thus, according to some researchers, they forecast that it may be possible for students to select the method by which they learn best and have the lesson appear online.  An assessment component can provide feedback to the teacher on how well they have learned the information or skill, what tasks to do next, and what approach is more likely to work.

Think about your role as a teacher/ educator in the near future.  What would it be like?