Web 2.0 Tools Revolution Movement!!

Peters, L. (2009). Global education: Using technology to bring the world to your students. ISTE. ISBN: 978-1-56484-258-9.

According to Laurence Peters the web 2.0 tools help students create a personal connection when they use the applications. For example, ePals can connect them to finding their own culture. Video and audioconferencing is another way to make connections with students around the world.

Peters shares some incredible statistics:

· More than one in four of California’s resident was born outside the United States.

· Students in California speak more than 60 languages, and yet most of the these classrooms, like classrooms throughout the country, remain monocultural.

· New York City is home to students representing every country in the world.

· Between 1960-200 the US percentage of foreign-born residents rose 9.7% to 28.4%. (Page 1)

The U.S. schools need to change the monocultural approach when it comes to teaching and learning. Instead of learning about the world through textbooks, they can easily use the Internet. Peters says:

Through the application of web 2.0 technologies, students can come closer to grasping the relevance of the “traditional curriculum” to today’s global challengers by directly connecting with students who are facing the same issues through a different cultural lens. (Page 6)

Andy Carvin is National Public Radio's senior product manager for online communities says, “We can no longer see the classroom as isolated by four walls or by borders. There is too much opportunity out there.” Also he says “… teachers today feel so many pressures from other forces, whether it’s educational requirements to teach and prepare students for certain standardized tests…” (Page 20)