The Affordance and Constraints of Web 2.0 Tools

The Affordance and Constraints of Web 2.0 Tool

     Web 2.0 has come a long way to the read only Web 1.0.  Web 2.0 has evolved into a provider of online software services.  Web 2.0 offers many interactive software choices which have become household names.  Information is at your fingertips and that is what internet users find.  Web 2.0 users not only do they read but create and share.  They become active participants and content creators.  Web 2.0 technologies like blogs, wikis, podcasting and social networking have allowed users to easily publish content online.  Also, to connect and network with other people from all over the world with the same interest.

     Some of the benefits or affordance of Web 2.0 that a student will learn is the interaction, communication and collaboration.  Students will see the relevance of what they are learning in the real world.  Technology prepares the students to be qualified in a job of technology business.  They will be more critical thinkers and effective communicators.

     Barriers or constraints can be the uneasiness with openness of technology.  The student can be very uncomfortable with the openness and are reluctant to participate in class activities that utilize Web 2.0.  Another barrier can be technical problems of older computer models and limited time to learn.

     Some practices or tips for teaching with Web 2.0 are the following:

• Do NOT introduce too many new technology to the students.
• Do NOT use multiple technologies that do the same thing.
• Provide appropriate instruction, tutorials examples and frequent feedback.
• Facilitate collaborative learning.
• Build a sense of community of learners in your classroom first before trying more public collaboration.

What is the meaning of technology "affordance" and "constraints" in terms of education?

Technology "affordance" is a term used to refers to how technology is now being implemented into the schools for teaching and learning.  The students can possible perform better with technologies that are at their disposal.  The term "affordance" is used how this new way of teaching can facilitate teaching to the teacher and learning to the student.  Earlier we learned about how TPACK a framework that identifies the knowledge teachers need to teach effectively with technology.  The three steps of TPACK are, content knowledge of the subjects we teach, pedagogy knowledge of how we teach and technology knowledge are our teaching tools we use.  The " affordance" of using technology in our classroom is the vast amount of information in our fingertips, automation of the tools and the collaboration with experts in the field. 

The "constraints" in technology used in education will be the obstacles that will not allow or at least not make it easy in the use of it.  Some of the "constraints" will be, price.  technology can and will  be expensive to purchase and maintain.  The use of electricity, computer viruses, and lack of connectivity are other "constraints" that will be encounter.  The most important "constraint" that will be encounter are students coming from low income families that cannot afford these "luxuries" at home.  The school may have a limited amount of technology tools for students to use during school hours, but after school that student will have no access to such tools.  Another glitch a teacher may encounter is that they themselves being an inexperienced user of technology.  If the technology that is being used breaks down or simple a problem that a novice user cannot resolve, that whole lesson plan will be useless and will need to have a back up plan.

Technology can be very intimidating tool but teachers need to set their traditional ways of teaching aside and maximize their methods and bring the classroom to the 21st century. 

Flipping Classrooms

How would you use the concept of flipped classrooms in your teachings?

First of all what is a flipped classroom and how would I use this concept in a Special Education classroom?  A flipped classroom focuses it's class time on student understanding rather than on the lecture.  it will enhanced the student learning and achievement by "flipping" the traditional classroom model.  The teacher will post short video lectures online for students to view at home before the next class session.  Class time will be used in expanding or mastering the lesson with the use of learning exercise, projects and discussions.  In other words, the flip will be that homework that is done at home will be done in the classroom and the lectures that are done in the classroom will be viewed at home.

Using a flipped approach, I will record my lessons and post them online.  A student that is capable of using this technology can watch the lesson over and over again until they understand the lesson.  Class time will be used to provide more personalized support and use the extra time to learn new concepts.  Technology is empowering students with disabilities to achieve higher levels of learning, according to the National Center for Learning Disabilities "technology has been a game changer...We now know what kids are able to do, and not just what they are unable to do."  To really engage the flipped approach the teacher is more of a facilitator and reaching students' specific needs.  Some of the lessons that can be recorded would be specific life skills such as making a phone call, a transaction in a store or other social skills.  Then, in class the students can work on the skills more collaborative.  Some positive outcomes in flipped classrooms would be it will extend the learning day.  Teachers will be able to have more one on one instructions with a particular student.  Most importantly, flipped instruction will be an opportunity for more effective classroom participation.