The Real World Application

Another GREAT article from my feed! My last post spoke of an article telling of the use of web 2.o at university level and I really appreciated learning how my students would be using this technology at the next level. This new article speaks of the real world application of wiki technology. Power in Numbers by Jessica Bennett explains "how wiki software is reforming bloated bureaucracies and changing the face of communication". The United Nations has just began using the wiki to help limit time spent trying to reach a consensus more quickly. IBM has been using this technology since 2005. Their first task was a collaborative creation of a company "blogging manifesto" which became the company policy on blog use-authored by thousands of employees...talk about ownership! IBM management feels this is how businesses will foster innovation and get projects started faster. In other areas, their are 16 US intelligence agencies using wiki technology to share information (of course a TOP SECRET firewall blocks public access). Also in the works is WikiCongress, a non-partisan endeavor- which would allow citizens to propose new policy, vote on bills, etc. Globally, both Germany and Canada have on going programs using this technology. This is proof positive that we as educators have an incredible responsibility to integrate technology of all types or do a great injustice to our students. I have gained a great deal of information to bring back to my students that adds to the relevancy of their learning and use of such technology. The uses are not limited to any one area of what they may want to be when they grow up so exposure to the technology is important to all of my students.