Engaging the YouTube Google-Eyed Generation: Strategies for Using Web 2.0 in Teaching and Learning

This paper, written by Peter Young of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University for The Electronic Journal of e-Learning (http://www.ejel.org/Volume-6/v6-i2/Duffy.pdf) looks into how Web 2.0 technologies can be used by educators to enhance students learning experience. It focuses on 3 specific examples--YouTube, Blogs and Wikis--briefly exploring their definition and providing a general understanding of each. The paper conceded that these 3 examples do not categorically define Web 2.0, but used them as illustrative examples instead to provide some reference or framework for possible strategies for educators to incorporate into a student’s learning experience.

Blogs

The paper defines a blog as an online journal with one or more contributors or authors. Some of the characteristics differentiating blogs from traditional websites include:
• Easy creation of pages
• Ability to link and inter-link to form communities
• Easy to use, sharable and automatically archived
• Because of its structure, students can demonstrate critical thinking, take creative risks, and make sophisticated use of language and design elements
The paper suggests three areas for possible educational strategies:
1. Within a personal academic perspective such as reflection of teaching experiences, illustration of specific technology tips for colleagues or teaching tips for other academics
2. Within an organizational perspective such as using it for calendars, events, assignments and an online are for students to post contact details or questions related to assignments
3. Within a pedagogical perspective such as using it as a collaborative space for students to reflect, share and interact

YouTube

The paper describes YouTube as a popular video sharing website where users can upload, view, and share video clips. A typical YouTube webpage is usually made up of movie and TV clips and music videos, as well as amateur content such as video blogging and short original videos. Video can be a powerful educational and motivational tool, however, its power to teach lies in how it is used. Effective instructional video should be more of a teacher-to-student instruction rather than TV-to-student.

Some of the possible uses of YouTube as a learning tool suggested by the author include:
• Create a learning community thru contribution and sharing of video content
• Use of video as part of assessment instead of an essay
• Use video to promote discussion and engagement

Wikis

A wiki is defined by the paper as a group of web pages that allows users to add content, similar to a discussion forum or blog, but also permits others (sometimes completely unrestrictedly) to edit the content. It simplifies the process of creating web pages and is a very effective way to exchange information in a collaborative effort.

Some of the possible strategies outlined by the paper are:
• As ongoing documentation for research projects
• As a knowledge base for teachers, to share teaching practices and share reflections
• As a tool for published courses where students can edit and comment directly

My Thoughts

There is no doubt that we are shifting from a static set of learning tools such as powerpoint, lecture notes, website and printed material towards more user-content generated and guided learning experience. As a first step in creating a framework, the article provided a solid basis for exploring Web 2.0 technologies as a means to engage the new generation of learners. Todays learners have grown up with these technologies and the second generation of web-based interactions and applications require that educators be able to conceptualize the possibility of using these tools and adapting them for a more user-centered learning experience.