In this class I learned alot of new technologies I could use in the classroom. I think that Web 2.0 tools was always and important aspect of education, especially in the modern classroom. I know when I went to school there wasn't that much technology or technology incorporation in the classroom. In the modern classroom you see that teachers really must incorporate them into the lesson because now that is all students are use to. So the strengths of Web 2.0 tools is that it allows students to be creative, organized, and to ultimately have student center learning especially if you do online discussions through programs like Twitter. Unfortunately, teachers have to watch out when dealing with Web 2.0 tools the fact that some tools might actually have to get you pay if you want more of the services that they provide. Grant most teachers can try to get the funding for programs through Site Based or some other avenue of funding.
After taking this course, I have found out what I need to look for when it comes to Web 2.0 tools, so that it benefits not only my curriculum but my students. The first thing that I will be looking for in the future when I look for Web 2.0 tools is how user friendly will the program be, so when I show my students how to use the program will they be able to pick up how to use it quickly. The last thing that I will look for is will the tool develop critical thinking for my students. In the tool that I researched for the final project, the tool was great and user friendly but unless the teacher came up with the critical thinking aspect of the assignment then it really did not help much in that aspect.
Ultimately, Web 2.0 tools are great for the classroom but I think the biggest pitfall that I see for this subject is the fact that we are seeing more low social economic students enter into school. So because of that we have many children that do not have a device or have never experienced what it is like to use a device. It would be difficult to use Web 2.0 tools especially in a flip classroom setting when many our students do not have the capability to use it. Some barely come with the supplies they need to be successful in those classrooms that do not have technology based learning in their classroom. I know that when I play Kahoot games with my students, when I review a topic, there are several students that have to pair up because they do not have data plans or they don't have a phone period. This is the problem I see when it comes to these types of tools, its not whether there are tools out there to use or how user friendly it is but ultimately it is coming down to does the kid have a device to use the tool.
Lastly, I think the things I will avoid when it comes to Web 2.0 tools is the tools that require any type of subscription to better the product. I think that if it is a tool that it is used for educational purposes then it should totally be free, all aspects of the program. Unfortunately, like my paragraph above many of our students do not have the money or resources to buy subscriptions to products so it will ultimately need to be free. I am glad that I work in a district that tries to find these products for us, but some of them are good for specific subjects. So in the future, when I look at tools I will try to find the good programs that are free, that develop critical thinking skills, but ultimately is user friendly for both teacher and students.
