Web 2.0 and the classroom

I am currently taking an online course dealing with the subject of Web 2.0 and the educational experience. For those of you who aren't quite so familiar, "Web 2.0" refers to sites like this one (and all blogs in general), social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, forums, discussion boards, youTube, the wikipedia and the multitude of websites where any Joe or Jane with a computer can access the internet and make instant, worldwide publications. This is the democratization of the internet at its best and the coming to fruition of a real true information superhighway. Al Gore (who we all know invented the internet) should be proud.

Anyway, in this course we are delving into what the whole Web 2.0 phenominon is and how it can be used in the classroom and for the good of education. I know one thing I have dealt with consistantly as a teacher is when students have a research project. They always ask if they can use wikipedia.org. The information on wikipedia (while often correct) can be uploaded or edited by anyone. That includes experts on the subject matter to the teenage hooligan spreading mis-information and internet "spam". So, sure, I tell them they can use wikipedia. But they can't use it as a source. It's good for finding the beginning of their information, but it can't be the one and only place they go to for ideas.

I had a discussion with students one day after school about wikipedia. I told them that I did have a wonderful idea on incorporating wikipedia into a lesson. Here is my hypothetical assignment for them:
Research a style of classical music or a composer using books or online encyclopedias (not wikis). Use that information, sign in to wikipedia, and update that composers page with your research. Make sure that you are positing something that is absolutely correct, cited properly, and useful for the general public to learn about your subject.

Surprisingly, the students said that they felt that was a much bigger emotional and intellectual challenge than simply writing a paper. Writing up something and handing it in to a teacher is one thing. But actually submitting something to the world for consumption is a lot to handle! And that, natually, is giving me ideas on what to do for an online, Web 2.0 based lesson.

The wiki format, found across the internet, is a type of open-source program. It is freely available and can be used in many ways with only a few restrictions. Anyone can make their own "wiki" if they have a website and can open it up to anyone else to fill in the gaps.

Students in Mr. Rogalski's classes, be warned of an impending assignment...