Week One - Blog Posting #2 - Learning 2.0

In considering the implications of Web 2.0 tools and technologies for learning, I continue to be amazed by the sheer number of Web 2.0 applications that I had absolutely no idea about previous to this program. As the learner, I have been introduced to tools based on a need to complete a task which for me, made the tool useful and through the task I was able to get a sense of the effectiveness of the tool. Tools are designed to serve a purpose and therefore knowing the intended learning target also means knowing the tools likely to complete the task.  The question remains, how do we provide opportunities for all learners to use effective tools to complete the learning task in a Web 2.0 world when our educational system is predominantly still pre-Web 1.0?
Solomon and Schrum (2007) in web 2.0 new tools, new schools share Marc Prensky's theory about how he defines the generation gap.  He defines the gap as being between digital natives, "teens and young adults who live in a world where technology is omnipresent and digital immigrants, well-meaning adults who have to work at being comfortable with technology." I really like this comparison as it creates the underlying reality that there are significant differences in how teaching and learning needs to change to better reflect our current world reality. 
The YouTube video, A Vision of K-12 Students Today, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCJfWf8 demonstrates the need for educators to be responsive to the paradigm shift that is occurring due to the influx and access of digital technology pervasive in homes across the country and the world.  Failure to recognize the need to embrace the technology serves only to leave our students behind in the 21st century.
The disparity between the use of technology among educators and students especially at the middle school level speaks volumes about the need to integrate the use of the tools in teaching and learning.  The need to integrate these tools and technologies does not fall squarely on the teachers.  Schools need to provide the infrastructure to support the use of the tools and the professional development for teachers to be confident users of the technology so they are better able to integrate the use of the tools as they deliver the important and necessary content to students.
So, how do we do that?