Definition of Web 2.0
Web 2.0
is a concept that refers to the Internet as a platform for information
and idea-sharing and collaboration. A Web 2.0 site allows users to
interact and collaborate with each other in a social media dialogue. The
user is also the creator of content as opposed to a passive viewer of
information. Some Web 2.0 examples include Google Apps for Education, social networking
sites, blogs, wikis, video-sharing, web applications, etc.
Definition of Nerd
"Being a nerd is not about what you love, it's about the way that you love it. So you can be a nerd for football, and obsessively follow stats and player trades and figure out things that give you an advantage in, like, sports betting and things like that. Or, you can love Battlestar Galactica and try to work out all of the complex mythologies and get into things like blueprints of the ships. And then you can love things like Agents of Shield and Winter Soldier, and love that so much that you end up going to a comic book shop and then reading all the way back through ten or twenty years of Captain America comics. Someone who I would describe as a "geek" or "nerd" is a person who loves something to its greatest extent, and then looks for other people who love it the same way, so they can celebrate loving it together."
-Wil Wheaton
(Actor best know for the role of Wesley Crusher on Star Trek the Next Generation, Gordie from Stand by Me, and himself on The Big bang Theory, for narrating the audiobook "Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline, and for being a self professed nerd)
Rationale
Because
we are treading in some new territory with the explosion of devices and Web 2.0
tools available to us and our students, it's important that we navigate carefully.
Understandably, parents (and teachers) are frightened by the wholesale
unleashing of tools about which we don't fully understand the potential
pitfalls. Keeping this in mind, it's important that we learn as much as
possible about the tools before we introduce them into our classrooms.
This is especially true of social media tools that have varying layers
of privacy settings (or the lack thereof), as well as complex “terms of
use” clauses. Teachers
must navigate these layers with common sense as well as an ongoing
professionalism and commitment to a safe educational environment.
This
class is designed to explore some of these Web 2.0 tools and ultimately
assess different mediums and their potential in the classroom. Although
common sense should be the guide, here are some other very important
guidelines to keep at the forefront of your practice:
- Have you shared the web-based tools you wish to use with students and your clear instructional purpose, goals and objectives with your principal and with parents?
- Have you established a code of conduct/acceptable use policy for all participants, discussed it in class, and informed parents?
- Have you thoroughly read the site’s “Terms of Use,” looking for pitfalls like age restrictions?
- Have you taken steps to ensure privacy and a respectful environment via the site’s security/privacy settings? Does the site allow anonymity for comments? Should it?
- If using images or video content is part of your plan, have you flagged students whose files do not allow this content to be posted? These parental release forms are on file in TIES and in the office.
It is not
always easy to discern what tools best compliment what parts of the
curriculum. One of the culminating exercises of Tech Nerd Camp 2.0 will be
to explore some different scenarios and reflect on the educational
implications of each. We hope that the Digital Citizenship activity later on in the course (Activity 9) will help you begin
crafting a narrative of how best to harness the benefits of Web 2.0
while minimizing the risks.
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Many tools have restrictions for students under 13 and some tools have restrictions for students under 18. These restrictions are put into place so that companies are in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protections Act (COPPA). As an educational institution we are required to follow these restrictions in order for us to be in compliance with COPPA. Throughout this course the major terms of service/privacy policy will be identified for each tool in purple.
Ultimately, our district believes that the benefits outweigh the harms, but that each teacher using such tools needs to be particularly well-versed in policy and do his/her best to address the guidelines posted above.
Links to District Resources:
Social Media and Instruction
Choosing the Right Medium
Use of Technology-Staff
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Many tools have restrictions for students under 13 and some tools have restrictions for students under 18. These restrictions are put into place so that companies are in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protections Act (COPPA). As an educational institution we are required to follow these restrictions in order for us to be in compliance with COPPA. Throughout this course the major terms of service/privacy policy will be identified for each tool in purple.
Ultimately, our district believes that the benefits outweigh the harms, but that each teacher using such tools needs to be particularly well-versed in policy and do his/her best to address the guidelines posted above.
Links to District Resources:
Social Media and Instruction
Choosing the Right Medium
Use of Technology-Staff
