Coming of Age: an introduction to the new world wide web

Last year, Terry Freedman asked me to write a piece for a book on all things Web 2.0. "Why might educators get their students to use or create podcasts or use wikis?" was the question he asked. Well, the book, Coming of Age (.pdf - 1.9MB), is now out in electronic form, and ready to download as an introduction to Web 2.0 for

• individuals;
• teachers;
• school and Local Authority managers;
• school libraries;
• Professional Development coordinators.

The book provides a set of stories, describing the ways in which Web 2.0 technology can be used in schools, particularly as a way of supporting social, collaborative learning, and a more individualised curriculum. I am flattered to be amongst some really thoughtful (and cool) educators and adventurers in the Web 2.0 world:

• Miles Berry
  Miles is a deputy headteacher in an English primary school, a Moodle and Elgg enthusiast and the winner of a best practice award. He also gives keynote presentations to conferences.
• John Bidder
  John is the Head of Curriculum ICT strategy in Bolton, England, and gives keynote presentations about best practice.
• Mechelle de Craene
  Mechelle is a special education teacher in Florida and undertakes research in the development of educational technology skills in children, and gives presentations on her findings at internatoinal conferences.
• John Evans
  John Evans is principal of St. François Xavier Community School in St. François Xavier, Manitoba, Canada, and gives conference presentations on the subject of teacher wellness.
• Peter Ford
  Peter Ford is a teacher and educational consultant based in Nottingham in the UK, spcialising in the use of internet technologies to enhance teaching and learning.
• Terry Freedman (Ed)
  Terry is an educationalist who provides practical and strategic consultancy services to educational institutions, and provides a range of subscription-based services.
• Josie Fraser
  Based in England, Josie is an educational technologist and works as a freelance consultant and speaker, mainly around emerging technologies and staff development.
• Steve Lee
  Steve Lee is a Senior Software Developer, who is uses various techniques for customising ‘off-the-shelf’ software to meet individual accessibility needs. He is also interested in how Open Collaborative Communities can help and involve disabled people.
• Ewan McIntosh (ahem, that's me)
• Alan November
  Alan November is an international leader in education technology, and runs the annual Building Learning Communities Summer Conference in Boston, USA.
• Chris Smith
  Based in Thailand, Chris runs a consultancy designed to offer support to International Schools across S.E. Asia, especially in the area of “ICT Across the Curriculum, and maintains an internationally-acclaimed website.
• Dai Thomas
  Dai is Director of ICT at Warden Park Specialist School in West Sussex and a research Fellow of Mirandanet.
• David Warlick
  David is an internationnaly-renowned writer, blogger and Podcaster who provides consulting and public speaking services to education associations and agencies around the world.
• Shawn Wheeler
  Shawn is the Director of IMT – Services & Training for the Peoria Unified School District in Glendale, Arizona, and the founder of Adventures in Podcasting.

There will be is a wiki in the longer term to allow changes and contributions to the book from elsewhere. In the meantime, In addition, head over the look at the SuprGlu feed coming from some of the contibutors' blogs and bookmarks.

Let me know what you think of the book.

Comments

[Chris]

Maybe a printed-out copy would reassure the odd luddite?

[Vicki Davis]

This is incredible! This is the way things need to be done! This is a visionary project and I'm so very excited! This is a great tool to bring more educators on board. Not everyone can go to conferences to catch the excitement. I think this is a must read for any school and I highly recommended on my blog today!

Great job!

[Derek Dixon]

This has to be compulsory reading for anyone who is interested in pupil progress. I've sent a copy to all of my friends.

[bob morse]

I am interested in reading this book in order to gain insight in how I might be able have all my students working on a science 'inquiry'. I would imagine that they could then be able to post their results and get positive feedback from othe students in their grade worls wide.