Charting the Course of Teaching and Learning in a Networked World

Web 2.0 for Education Outreach to Low-Income and Minority Students

I've been asked to help facilitate an event at the end of March with educational and government representatives on the topic of using the new technologies of the Web specifically to help low-income and minority students--and in particular to open greater opportunities for higher education to them. If all goes as we're planning right now, I'll be broadcasting the event live as a part of the interview series here and for anyone with an interest in this topic.

My job for that day will be to lay out the vision and possibilities for this angle on Web 2.0, as I've told them that I don't have any particular expertise directly here, but want to be a part of helping to bring the dialog forth.

I'm interested in what ideas you, dear network members, have on this topic, and if there is anyone you think I should particularly look to for thought leadership here. I'm also interested in involving some students in the discussion.

Thank you for any help.

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Daniel Bassill on February 19, 2009 at 6:10am: I use maps of Chicago to try to help people understand the distinction you've described, because until we focus on the issues of educating kids in these large urban districts in a separate discussion from issues of how all kids learn, we'll be using same terms, but with different meanings, and therefor unrealistic solutions. You can see these maps at http://mappingforjustice.blogspot.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steve Guynup on February 16, 2009 at 1:04pm: A great list of challenges...the acquiring and use of resources seems to be the starting problem.
(And of course all the politics, distance, time, tech support, knowledge support issues that makes connecting these resources with student educational progress even more problematic)

Can we minimize this problem - at least the acquiring and use side of things?

At the University of Baltimore we worked with middle school students as design partners on new media projects.
There's a couple of take-aways on this.

- As a technology development team we had kids partner up with college students. Basically they acted as subject matter experts on being kids. I think we can leverage local colleges into delivering more resources. Just need to get creative in curriculum. I think we can. (So - an after school program on college campuses)

- Despite our high tech goals, we did a lot of paper prototyping, black box AI, and role playing. We did a lot of games too using faux RFID tags, PDA's, etc etc...Its possible to at least introduce and conceptualize technology without actually having it. Granted, we did focus on faux technology - but there was real research and effort put into these projects, our kids learned about things about marine life and American history - then thought about how it could be put into a game. I suspect folks here are focused on technology as "the tool", so perhaps this doesn't quite fit. Still the question of best usage for scarce resources arises, and developing non technical (and educationally valuable) activities that "lean on" rather than require full technological support seems useful in under served areas.

(PS as for me, I build virtual worlds, which could help - but it doesn't solve the problem of limited resources); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pamela Furline on February 16, 2009 at 6:17pm: Good in theory but is it good in practice? Using the new technologies of the Web to help low-income and minority students to open greater opportunities for higher education to them is a good idea. However, have they learned the old technology yet? Do they have access to the old technology? Have they become proficient with that technology or should a discuss be held to explore the benefits of the new technology and how it will help low-income and minority students who do not have access to the new technology? Discussions are fine but what about practical application of this medium? Will this discussion lead to hands on application for these at-risk youths? Just a thought!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steve Hargadon on February 16, 2009 at 10:56pm: Let's hope this leads to action. The end goal of this discussion is for me to present to those in positions to make decisions to take action. Hopefully for those of us participating it also provides ideas for things that we can do. Thanks for the thoughts!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sherrell M. Garth on February 16, 2009 at 6:18pm: Hi Steve , I am very interest in participating in your project to serve low -income and minority students. Please keep me informed of the necessary details of how I might get involved.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steve Hargadon on February 16, 2009 at 10:57pm: Hi, Sherrell. I guess just keep following this discussion, and we'll see where it leads. Thanks for the offer!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michelle on February 17, 2009 at 6:37am: I saw a great presentation in Roanoke, VA at the Educational Technology Leadership Conference. The website was http://etlc.passport2web20.com/. You may want to contact him.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michelle Ossa on February 17, 2009 at 7:08am: The Web 2.0 has been the conduit through which I have had the most success teaching full language immersion in English (EFLESL), Spanish (FLES) and Modern Languages settings. These are programs funded entirely by specific budgets so what we get is what we use- and we make use of everything.

The teacher has a dual role in the classroom as both educator and researcher of best practices. For this, my students and I conduct lots of research seeking for appropriate (we follow a rubric for this) and interesting Web 2.0 applications. The application that they select is then taught and applied in the target language. Hence, the students learn both second language and technology at the same time in a sustained-affective stimulus that is guaranteed to help them succeed.
After they learn to maneuver the application, they can access it in my website. All this is free of charge (for me and for them), highly educational, and makes them feel like champions.
You can get ideas on how to build your own at www.herappleness.com or which are the sites my students and I built together to look for applications.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Hubbell on February 17, 2009 at 7:43am: Hi Steve,

Two names come to mind when I saw your post:

1. The Stupski Foundation focuses specifically on programs that help large urban districts address issues with poverty and racial inequality.
2. Hersh C. Waxman out of Texas A&M has done quite a bit of research on the impact of technology in education. Some of his work focuses specifically on urban and ELL students.

I am very much enjoying reading through the many fascinating replies. I definitely want to be a part of the discussion in March, if possible.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steve Hargadon on February 17, 2009 at 8:08am: Thanks, Elizabeth! If you have any direct contact at Stupski and are willing to make an introduction to them and/or Hersh Waxman, I'd greatly appreciate it. My email is steve@hargadon.com.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Hubbell on February 17, 2009 at 10:02am: I'm pretty sure I can get a direct contact from Stupski for you, as McREL is doing a project with them. Let me check around to see who the best person would be.

For Waxman, I'm afraid I don't have direct contact. I've only read his studies & admired his work.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kiwi Commons on February 17, 2009 at 10:24am: You can't talk web 2.0 without discussing the web safety aspects! Let me know if I can help with this in any way.; ▶ Reply to This