Why all the Numbers??

So, we all should now know Web 1.0 refers to the traditional Internet. The excitement that we (us old timers) all felt in listening to our phone dial up and connect (if we didn't receive a busy signal) to cyber space--the wow factor that took us from our traditional forms of communication to a much more modern form. We could now retrieve information from the world wide web. And talk to friends and family across the globe! I started college during this interesting time, and literally immersed myself into all that was "Web 1.0."



Then a few years ago, I started hearing the term "Web 2.0." I, in my totally 80's, War Games thinking figured it was a NEW web--a whole new connection. So, I did the research and realized it was merely the term given to the growth of the web. In fact, a way to describe what the web has become--collaborative, sharing, communicating, writing, posting, focused on the individual, etc. It's funny how I never really thought that numbers would mark the distinct differences between the beginnings of the web, and its stages of evolution. Like all things, it will continue to evolve. Now the term Web 3.0 is being tossed around. Wait a second! I haven't even gotten used to Web 2.0 yet!



Sometimes I wish there was an emergency pull rope to slow this technology train down! But something tells me our younger generations are completely content to keep the train moving at top speed--in fact, they're at the wheel! All is as it should be, I suppose. And my thinking perhaps does no more than mark my age--argh, I've become my parents! :)



I guess my point is it's a good things numbers are infinite. If we keep up this numbering trend, Web 4.0 will be here before I even sink my teeth into Web 3.0! And it will just keep growing and growing and growing.....OK, you get the picture.

Generations of Technology

So, this is my first post. I'd like to say that when I first got started in this virtual world back in the early-90s, I never would have guessed this is where I'd end up! I'm 41, and I think I represent a generation of "techies" that either embraced or stepped away from computers and technology.

When I began my college career, it was a requirement that all students take a computer course--Windows 3.1! =) Over the years, I fought (sometimes not so successfully!) to keep up with the ridiculous pace of advancements, and when I began teaching I certainly wrapped my entire approach around technology.

Now, more than 16 years later, I am even more excited about technology in education. As I conduct workshops on SMARTBoards, Response systems, podcasting, web pages, wikis, and various educational software, I realize how easily educators can become overwhelmed and sometimes frustrated with the fast-pace of technology. This is why I think that on-going job-embedded support is a necessity in all schools. Teachers must be given the tools they need to engage their students--this is a given. However, teachers MUST also have the continuing support to integrate technology into their classrooms and curriculum.

I think sometimes teachers are constantly bombarded with "new" things before they even have a chance to learn the previous technological tool. So the question then becomes this: "How do school districts and educators find a balance?"

We all know the arguments: Our kids are functioning in a technology-driven world; we must embrace technology to engage and motivate them; etc, etc. As Educators, we've heard it all countless times. But how do we keep ourselves from falling into the "technology professional development over-load" trap?

So maybe my wondering mind wandered too much...