by Will Richardson
The internet now is a place where users can publish their own information, through blogs, wikis, and other social networking sites. Also, RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds, and podcasting allow internet users to access data and information that has been stored by a tool called an aggregator. Many blogs are also stored on these tools.
These tools enable students to access more information and allow them to publish and share their learning with other students around the globe. It is important for teachers to become users of these tools, as well, and to teach their students the importance of identifying sourses and discerning what is authentic and accurate. These new ways of learning and working are valuable and will change the lives of students.
- blogs are tools that enable people to share information on the Web.
- wikis are a collabortative tool that allows anyone to edit and share content, such as wikipedia
- RSS feeds allows people to subscribe to feeds of information through many different sources.
- social bookmarking enables allows for the storage and archiving of information.
- del.icio.us and furl.net are social bookmarking sites.
- another form of acquiring information is podcasting.
The Read/Write Web can be a valuable tool for teachers and students alike. As teachers, it enables us to share information with students other than through traditional methods in the classroom. These tools are also valuable for students who miss school for various reasons, by allowing them to keep up with the information and to submit assignments.
The main drawback to such easy access and ability to edit, information may be erroneous and not reliable. Students must learn to recognize reliable sources and to discern what may or may not be accurate. Which means, teachers must know this, as well, and pass that information on to their students.
