The Most Frequently Identified Barriers to the Use of Web 2.0 Technology

A survey, commissioned by Lightspeed Systems and Thinkronize Inc., creator of the kids’ search engine netTrekker, shows that online communication tools for parents and students have caught on quickly, but online social networking for instruction has a long way to go.

The survey organized Web 2.0 technologies into seven categories related to student instruction and learning environments, reports Meris Stansbury of eSchools:

1. Student-generated online content;
2. Teacher-generated online content;
3. Online social networking used as part of instruction;
4. Online learning games and simulations;
5. Student use of virtual learning environments;
6. Digital multimedia resources; and
7. Online communication tools for parents and students (outside of school hours).

The most frequently identified human-factor barriers to the use of Web 2.0 technology were:

– The need to monitor appropriate use of online social networks (range 55%)
– Lack of teacher knowledge about how to use the technology effectively (range 51%)
– Teacher perceptions about its lack of instructional value or appropriateness (range 48%)

Also, the most frequent technology barriers were:

– Concerns about student safety (range 76%)
– Concerns about district network or data security (range 35%)
– Limited support systems, including technology personnel (range 27%)

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