I recently taught a Web 2.0 workshop to a group of 25 principals who were relatively new to the use of the Read/Write web in their professional lives. I helped them understand the need for school leaders to model the use of tools such as blogs, wikis, Skype, delicious, etc. My objectives were to teach why today’s “digital natives” require a different form of instruction, why and how school administrators must use these tools and then expect teachers to incorporate the use of such tools into their lessons, and to help the participants create their own blogs, wikis, Google accounts, delicious accounts, and other tools.
Throughout the day I placed a large emphasis on the use of the Read/Write web for communication with parents, and I was asked some very good questions about the logistics of using Web 2.0 technology with parents and families. The participants of this workshop raised some excellent points regarding the roadblocks they may face as they attempt to move to a digital form of communication with their school communities.
Have we finally come to a crossroads in our work where we must forge ahead, regardless of the restraints we encounter? Sometimes I feel as if roadblocks such as families without internet access at home are not as great as we perceive, and they are being used as excuses by educators who are afraid of technology or who think there is no time in their day to add one more thing.
I am posting this poll to see what people consider as the main roadblock educators encounter when attempting to use blogs, wikis, and other internet tools with students and parents. Please take a moment to answer the poll.
Thanks!
- Dave Sherman