How media specialists can use new language forms on Web 2.0

From middle school onwards, students today are using acronyms, emoticons and text-messaging to communicate. Add to that new language the visual and audio implications of podcasting, iTunes, Myspace and YouTube and a rich, multipurpose form of communicating emerges. The vocabulary of this generation is multimedia and is published on the internet, cellphones, and iPods. So how can teachers harness this technology to enhance learning? How can media specialists be catalysts to assist teachers in this transition?

Social communication using blogs is one of the tools that can be adapted to the language arts curriculum. A blog can be used as a traditional journal but has the function of allowing readers to write comments. Wikis are similar to blogs except that anyone can edit the text already online. It is a pure form of collaboration. Wikis can be set up so only a particular class can access the wiki.

Media specialists must teach and model these new forms of language. In addition to improving reading comprehension in the traditional language arts or social studies class, teachers must be encouraged to use these forms of media. These are the communication tools of 21st century and should be used to further the acquisition of knowledge.