Web 2.o allows students to have more access to information through the social interactions. Collecting information is not creating knowledge. Some of my writing students have a ton of information about a topic through Web 2.0 tools but they cannot put the information together in a coherent fashion. The problem is not access to information; the problem is thinking. As we get more into Web 2.0, we need to get more into Critical Thinking. Students need to be able to analyze, synthesis, and evaluate information (Bloom) . They need to be able to see information from various perspectives (Chaffee) and to think through various aspects of the issue such as purpose and consequences (Noisch). If we want to “teach” how to use Web 2.o tools, then we need to teach Critical Thinking. Instead of Web 2.o courses/”new literacies” courses, we need “Critical Thinking with Web 2.0” courses. The thinking skills will be transferable as new tech tools quickly evolve.
Let’s focus on critical 21st century thinking skills so we can use Web 2.0 tools wisely!
My book, Formative Assessment: Responding to Students, is available through Eye-on-Education.
I feel that the important part of the learning process like analyze, synthesis, and evaluate are missing in the web 2.o tools.
There should be a way to merge some elements that can facilitate the above missing learning processess with the current web 2.0 toos.
Haow can we start to think them right now with the rewarded ICT innovations of today