The researchers’ perspective - Neil Selwyn

Notes:
some commentators have used web 2.0 to generate moral panics about young people and the supposed death of education


Much of the learning potential of web 2.0 is seen to derive from the co-construction of knowledge.
heightened disengagement, alienation and disconnection of learners who use Web 2.0 from education


the detrimental effect that web 2.0 tools may have on ‘traditional’ skills and literacies


creation of a ‘Google generation’ of learners incapable of independent critical thought


social networking = exciting educational tools, some critics think they may distract learners from their studies.


‘the Facebook generation’ who text-message during class, talk on their cell phones during labs, and listen to iPods rather than guest speakers in the wireless lecture hall".

Selwyn raises a number of fears on page 11, including disengagement and impact on ‘traditional’ literacies. Weller takes a different view. Which side of the argument do you favour at this stage?

I find myself firmly gathering splinters as I sit on the fence. I agree with both Weller and Selwyn on different aspects. I would like to think that SNSs are used in a positive educational way but I'm also aware of the amount of distraction that they provide. This is a distraction from the course itself but it can also be seen as a 'nice' distraction during difficult times. I'm stuck in the middle somewhere.