The growing of Web 2.0 technologies has help us to communicate and interact with people that because of physical separation otherwise we would never meet. Programs such as Skype, Google Groups and Google Docs allow collaborative interaction, people can share information and even work in the same document without having multiple copies of it. I recommend the video “Google Docs in Plain English” which explains how current technologies (Google Doc for example) have evolve allowing more effective collaborations. There are services such as Elluminatewhere one can use Interactive whiteboard and share ideas. I believe the technology has evolved. What needs also to evolve is the people that can use this technology. The corporate world I believe is the one that has benefited most from it. Multiple companies have offices in different states and even in different countries. Having this type of technology shortens distances and reduces many travel and phone expenses.
In the educational system there are still many limitations that make this technology only available to a limited privileged group. People social and economically deprived, many ethnic minorities, groups suffering from social exclusion and geographically remote cannot use this amazing tools. Even in schools where the technology is available we still have the problem of teacher knowledge and narrow experience, group size and time constrains that limit the use of this type of technology.
The technology has evolved to allow us to collaborate however, we need to make room in the educational system in order to participate all of this collaboration.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
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The Google Docs video was very helpful. It explained the purpose and the steps very clearly. This technological tool is extrememly time preserving and allows individuals to manage documents well. Since many careers are increasing the amount of written documentation required, this tool will be beneficial in that regard. Also, online shared documents helps with storage space and the organization of the documents. It can easily be retrieved online than as a hard copy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Crystal post that the Google Docs video was very helpful. This is a resource that I will begin using, especially with the varioius committees that I am a member of. My current employer is utilizing the document imaging system more and more, which helps with organization of our filing systems and storage. Technology has evolved and is continuing to evolve. I agree that what need to evolve are the people that use technology. This can not occur if these individuals are unwilling or afraid to accept these rapidly advancing technologies. This is an area where the educational arena is still lacking for whatever the reasons maybe.
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I really liked how you mentioned the importance of instruction and students and teachers are not able to make full use of the technology available to them when a technology expert is not available. After having been this technology expert and being laid off, I understand how this lack of appreciation for this need can really cost a school district in many ways. Why invest in these amazing tools for learning when they are not used to their fullest extent and sometimes even sit unused.
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