Parents that understand technology see the value of
Web 2.0 in the classroom, but teachers are less certain
according to research.
Technologies such as Facebook, Myspace, YouTube and Wikipedia
have no academic benefit and merely act as a distraction, according
to half of 1,500 teachers interviewed by LM Research for research
commissioned by ntl:Telewest Business. The other half felt these
applications add value to education.
The debate echoes a similar scenario in the private sector as
businesses look to harness Web 2.0.
Security and a lack of understanding are the major obstacles for
teachers accepting Web 2.0, said the report.
In contrast two thirds of parents questioned said Web 2.0 is a
positive addition to the classroom. And children themselves are
already using the technologies.
According to the study 54% of 13 to 18 year-olds use YouTube in
their spare time, 50% use social networking sites and 47% use
Wikipedia.
Bola Rotibi, principle analyst at analyst firm Macehiter Ward
Dutton, said there is
too much focus on relatively few Web 2.0 applications.
"It is down to education to find which Web 2.0 applications they
could use, but you cannot do this by sticking your head in the
sand," she said.
She said the team-working and interaction aspects of Web 2.0
could be very useful.
"People in education need to be taught about
what Web 2.0 can achieve as well as what it cannot do,
including things like security risks. They will be in a better
position to make an informed judgement if they understand Web 2.0,"
added Rotibi.