Question Two 

a) The way in which a teacher conveys new information is a critical aspect of online learning. It has to be reflective of the environment one is going to teach in, therefore, the most important thing to remember is that it must be on the internet. It is also important, considering that the teacher is a digital immigrant, rather than a digital native, to realize this point and not to be afraid to ask for students help – they can be a great asset to the classroom and will be more than willing to help out.

Since Web 2.0 is a collaborative learning space, it is important that the students are constantly updating their sites (which, in the Web 2.0 world, everyone has their own) and staying on top of the software and hardware upgrades. Teachers must also release that Web 2.0 changed the look and accessibility of e-learning. It is the second generation of internet use, moving away from the world of personal and unchangeable information: Web 1.0. Web 2.0 allows for completely collaborative and interesting learning experience. Web 2.0 in the classroom means that there is: creativity, collaborative learning, a multitude of media is being used (for example: video, Wiki’s, blogs and podcasts), a highly structured lesson, multi-tasking occurring from both the teacher’s and student’s perspective and there must be trust in the classroom because it is such a collaborative learning environment.

b) The encouragement of collaboration of students is easy to achieve by using specific software and websites that allow social networking to take place. By using programs and websites such as WordPress and Facebook, where social networking is a priority, therefore collaboration is expected and easy to happen, it allows for an easy and interesting classroom.           

Wiki’s are also fantastic ways to encourage and get students collaboration happening. Using a Wiki website such as PbWiki also allows the teacher to see the history of the Wiki and who has edited it at what time, meaning that whilst it is a collaborative learning environment, it still means that the teacher is able to see and mark students work appropriately. Since Web 2.0 is all about student driven work, working collaboratively is an important and essential element to the Web 2.0 classroom. 

c) Dreikurs believes that in a democratic classroom, teachers provide firm guidance but do not promote rebellion. Students are allowed to participate in making decisions about what is studied as well as in formulating rules. His overall goal was that students would learn to cooperate reasonably without being penalized or rewarded because they would feel that they are valuable contributors to the classroom.

Democratic teachers’ help students understand that making decisions is firmly tied to responsibility. Students are allowed freedom, but they are expected to assume responsibility for what they do. These teachers do not feel compelled to habitually correct the behaviour of their students. Allowing students some leeway, they believe, is the best way to help them eventually learn to be self-governing. Students are free to explore, discover and choose their own way as they increasingly assume personal responsibility. Democratic teachers have a way of establishing order and limits without usurping their students’ right to autonomy. They are firm, yet kind and they involve their students in cooperative learning experiences. Children in a democratic classroom develop as sense of belonging to, and having a stake in, the class, which ensures for a better class environment, a happier class, more learning occurring and education is the main focus of the classroom.