Breathing Fire into Web 2.0

            Breathing Fire into Web 2.0 by Justin Hardman and David Carpenter is a detailed account of a comprehensive collaboration tool that has been implemented in the Hong Kong International School.  The authors wrote this piece to share the benefits of this innovative system and to help persuade educators to improve their use of technology in and out of the classroom.  The authors explain that the future is in technology and if we do not incorporate technological systems into education, we are not preparing students for the “real world”.  This article details the development of myDragonNet, which takes into account all of the needs of students, faculty, and parents alike.  This system is an “all-in-one, online communication and collaboration system” (p. 19) that fosters communication, curriculum development, and documentation of achievements.  Teachers are able to easily communicate with parents, students or administrators and use this system to create custom homepages and calendars. Students create their own portfolios to show and document their achievements throughout time, where they can design it themselves to promote individuality.  Every aspect of this system is personalized and it makes curriculum and resources readily available to all.

            The authors wanted me to leave this article understanding how systems of technology help to create a learning community with substantial educational benefits.  In addition the authors stress the need for systems to constantly evolve and explain the importance of being open to new ideas and alterations.   The authors have taken the future into account in noting that myDragonNet “…is designed for future adaptation and expansion.” (p. 21).  However, I think one of the most important closing points that the authors make, is that implementing systems such as myDragonNet will hopefully help students to realize the benefits of using technology for education and documenting accomplishments, as opposed to checking posts on Facebook. 

            myDragonNet would satisfy numerous NET-S for students.  Students satisfy 1b in their original creations of electronic portfolios as a means of personal expression.  In addition students address NET-S 2a and 2d through the communication aspect of myDragonNet, where they are able to engage in forums.  Also the aspect of the system that entails curriculum has a database of resources that are available, allowing students to satisfy NET-S 3 by applying technology to gather, evaluate, and use information.  A huge aspect of myDragonNet is helping students to understand the value of technology in their education and in the lifelong learning process.  This theme satisfies NET-S 5.  myDragonNet truly highlights each NET-S through its promotion of collaboration, exploration, understanding, and communication.

            Hopefully there will be school-wide systems (like myDragonNet) that will help me to work effectively with other teachers.  In planning to be a special education teacher, I realize the great need for effective team teaching because students are often moved around and put into mainstream classes for some of the day.  Communication and lesson collaboration is also going to be an essential skill for me to have because students with special needs often have all aspects of their curriculum intertwined.  However, if there is no “all-in-one” system in the school that I end up teaching at, I did note a few things that I would like to implement in my classroom.  I think it is a great idea to have a password-protected online webpage where students can access calendars that include after-school activities.  I agree with the authors that this would help to “enable our clubs, sports teams, faculty committees, and other community groups to work together more efficiently and effectively.” (p. 20).  In addition, I think that implementing the use of electronic portfolios for students is a fantastic idea that can help students to note their own achievements.  This is a great tool because having one place where students can compile all of their work throughout time will help themselves and the teacher to track their development.  It is a way for students to take time to reflect on their hard work and be proud of themselves!