Explain how student use of communication, collaboration, and publishing Web 2.0 applications can help students to meet the NETS-S.
The NETS-S are very important to incorporate into our classrooms. They are six standards that will create students who will be able to work and successfully navigate a new and changing global workforce. The six standards are:
1. Creativity and Innovation
2. Communication and Collaboration
3. Research and Information Fluency
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
5. Digital Citizenship
6. Technology Operations and Concepts
The first standard Creativity and Innovation and the second standard Communication and Collaboration work hand in hand. The first standard encourages students to think critically and apply background knowledge to find new and innovative solutions. It is important to collaborate while thinking outside of the box. Collaboration fosters an environment where students can share their ideas and build off of each other’s ideas. Communication is a key part of collaboration. There are numerous Web 2.0 applications that can aid communication. Skype will allow students to speak in real time. They can also use chatrooms like today’s meet to chat. Speaklike.com has a built in translator which will enable students to collaborate on a global level. Students can use Google Docs to share their work with other. By using Wikispaces they can create a website in which all members will be able to edit and participate. Students can also collaborate to create a glogster and prezi
By doing the above students naturally begin to develop and work on the fourth standard which is Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making. By working together students will have to make decisions such as who should be the group leader, what time should they meet etc. They also develop their problem solving skills by solving problems such as how do we work as a group if the members aren’t in the same time zone? They must think critically to solve all of these problems as well as the problems presented by the assignment.
As students begin problem solving and critical thinking they begin researching information. A great way for students to share their information is through creating a diigo list. The list will be available for all of the group members to access.
Through interaction with all of these Web 2.0 applications students will strengthen their technology skills. They will become very competent in their abilities. They will be able to foresee future problems as well solve unexpected technological problems. They will also learn safe and responsible ways to use technology; they will understand the personal aspects behind technology.
It is very clear that these standards are extremely valuable and important to prepare our students for the changing world they will be entering as adults.