Journal 2

Authors Justin Hardman and David Carpenter wrote about Web 2.0 in their article, "Breathing Fire into Web 2.0". This article was concerned with the "pieces" of Web 2.0 that are used in the classroom. For example, the authors stated that some faculty were using parts of the program like journal blogs, etc., but were not incorporating the entire software. The Web 2.0 is compatible with other Internet programs so they were trying to encourage students getting the full use out of it. What I want to know is... at what cost? It seems like there are so many options when we are presented with web browsers or software that it can be very costly. Yahoo and Google offer many free services, but really, what comes free? What about focus groups as well. Let's ask our students what they think is student friendly and there advice on different Internet aspects. True, the teacher has the final say, but many students know more about appropriate software than their faculty.
QUESTIONS:
1. How do I as a teacher incorporate this program while making sure my students are using it in an ethical manner?
This question is not fool proof and will rise up no matter what the program is. I like the idea of class blogs...maybe circulating it between students each week. I don't like the idea of individual blogs under my class supervision without having direct aspect to it. The article stated that web pages are one way to take advantage of the Web 2.0 and I agree. I have researched a few schools that have class web pages, and I'm amazed. I would make it a requirement that all students need to research the netiquette website and sign contracts for our class.
2. How do teachers get constructed feedback before it's too late on appropriate software?
This is a fear that I will use a program all year and find out that my students hated it. I think that obviously researching beforehand, like asking other teachers or parents what they think works is a great start. Also, sending out a letter before school starts requiring the students to try out a few programs and bring back their feedback the first week of school might help. However, that might cause more problems than it's worth. I also think that constant evaluations will help a great deal by providing feedback.