In chapter 9 of “Web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools,” the authors begin to paint a picture of the “new school.” This idea seems almost utopia-like for teachers who realize the importance technology holds in the education of today’s children. The book suggests a curriculum database of sorts. Since no two children or classes are alike, teachers can pick and choose parts of various curricular programs that they feel would best benefit their students. It would work as “pay for what you use” system. This would benefit students because it could be changed year to year or even semester to semester. This idea would also benefit districts as well. By allowing their teachers to choose what is best, they are not pouring money into curriculum sets that sit on a shelf and collect dust.
On top of that, teachers from all over the world could participate in a file-sharing system. Teachers (and even preservice teachers) could begin writing and submitting lesson and unit ideas and sharing chunks of information with other teachers. This is collaboration as its best! Teachers helping other teachers grow. It would also help teachers’ self-efficacy and encourage them to contribute their knowledge as well. More than anything else, teachers would begin to feel important and helpful to education as a whole. More and more every day, it seems like teachers are told what to do and not given an opportunity to show what they do well.
Could this be the change teachers have been looking for? Could we all join the textbook committee?
