Ch 6  The Social Web

The internet and social/collaborative websites are redefining education.  It's not just the tools and technology that are evolving, but the manner in which we need to teach is changing as well. 
Every time I read an IEP or a note from a parent, I hear about kids being visual learners.  Computers allow us to provide visual learning for all children.  There are so many opportunites for interactive learning when online that education naturally becomes more student-centered than teacher-directed.  While I'm sure there will always be a time and place for the lecture, it's role is being diminished more and more each year.  It makes you wonder what a teacher's job security might look like in 50 years.

I don't "tweet" and don't really see the sensation if someone already has a Facebook account.  It seems like it has less capability with picture posting and you are limited in your text amount.  I would be naive, however, to pretend that it isn't a world wide product though.  Students seem to be moving away from Facebook and toward Twitter these days, as I was told that Facebook is more for adults.  In any event, Twitter has the power to unite people from all over.  Richardson's citing of the election in Iran shows the relevance and potency of Twitter.  Like no time in history, people can communicate instantaneously.  Richardson says that over 1 billion people are online. That's an unbelievable number to me. We have the capability to connect to people in every corner of the world.
If social media can ignite "flash mobs", it also has the power to create large scale political upheaval.  Protests are born on the web.  Unfortunately, so is terrorism.  We are reminded that the web can be used for so many positive activities, but it can also be used in damaging ways as well.

I love the idea of Diigo and could certainly see myself using it in my calssroom just as it was used in the book.  I love the virtual sticky note! It's a good place to share information, but more importantly, I see the benefit in the organization of the information that Diigo allows.