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Why not start with the tool?

I am not a regular or enthusiastic blogger as can be easily seen by looking at the dates of my previous entries but this time I feel quite inspired to put my thoughts into writing.

Positive feedback about OzProjects from a past work colleague is partly the reason for this inspiration to blog.  He wrote to me about OzProjects saying "I think you are modeling and showcasing great pedagogy for online facilitation. I have been reading Gilly Salmon (eTivities) and your courses follow many of her suggestions for developing and facilitating online courses."  These supportive words have given me the confidence to say what I really think about online projects and online learning in the world of Web 2.0.  Here goes....

Why not start with the tool?  A question I expect could cause some interesting discusssion.  Many educators when talking about the world of Web 2.0 are quite adament that if we start with the tool or focus on the tool when integrating ICT in student learning that we will lose sight of the pedagogy and in some way restrict deep learning.  I choose to disagree.  If a tool is good enough and an educator can see straight away that it will be motivational for students and facilitate quality outcomes then why not start with the tool.

While searching the internet for other opinions on this topic I came across Wesley Fryer's weblog and an entry including his notes summarizing a panel discussion about "Classsroom 2.0: What Is Web 2.0's Role in Schools?" at NECC in 2009.  The backchannel for the session is included as well.
http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2009/07/01/classsroom-20-what-is-web-20s-role-in-schools/

The page includes some very interesting comments from a number of educators but the one which struck a chord with me was a backchannel comment below.

I really push back on this idea that "we should never talk about the TOOLS".   It is ok to talk about the tools at times. We start with an awareness level knowledge of tools, move to a personal use, then go to the instructional level of use, both taking other's ideas and inventing our own. It is a process. It is ok to talk about the tools. We shouldn't feel guilty talking about the tools, esp with people who are not familiar with them AT ALL.

I like to discover new tools.  I like to show new tools to educators.  Educators love to see new tools and learn how to use them.  So... why not start with the tools, focus on the tools and trust the educators to remember the pedagogy.  After all the pedagogy is central to everything they do every day.  I am sure the tool is not going to make them forget it.

Tags: pedagogy  web 2.0 tools 
Posted at 09:26AM Sep 8, 2009 by Cecily Wright |  Comments[1]