3+Web+2.0

For this assignment I learned about many educational Web 2.0 tools. I described the details of five Web 2.0 tools that I would implement in my classroom



** Features of Five Web 2.0 Tools **

ARKive is a research tool that displays a unique collection of videos, images, and fact-files illustrating the magnificent biodiversity on earth. The creators of the web page believe "wildlife films and photos are vital weapons in the battle to save the world's endangered biodiversity from the brink of extinction." ARKive contains many science learning resources that incorporate important science topics such as variation, adaptation, habitats, life cycles, evolution, and classification. The site offers students and teachers the opportunity to create PowerPoint presentations, engage in classroom activities, learn about scientific concepts with the use of provided handouts, and participating in interactive educational games. ARKive also offers the students the chance to express their creativity through scrap booking, art and design projects, and IT and literacy projects. The site brings together important scientific research and records into one location that may otherwise be forgotten or lost. Students and teachers have the chance to become involved in important, life-changing conservation projects. All the material is free and easy to use in classroom activities, group projects, homework assignment, research projects, and presentations.

Another web 2.0 learning tool is called mybrainshark. This tool can be used to create dynamic presentations. Many mediums, such as word documents, PowerPoint slides, video clips, screen casts, and photo albums, can be inserted into a presentation. Each of these visuals may be narrated in order to create a voice-enriched presentation that promotes knowledge and expertise. Narration or voice-overs allow an author to walk his or her audience through the presentation so that the delivery is more effective and easily understood. Educational material researched by subject matter experts may be obtained directly on the site. Presentations are effective educational tools that incorporate various learning styles. Tutorials or presentations may include bulleted information, voice-overs, a table of contents for easy accessibility to content, pictures, videos, slide animation, and music. Also, the content of the tutorials or presentations may be embedded in other websites or blogs. Creators have the ability to share their knowledge, experiences, and opinions with other creators. When a person shares the content of their web page, statistics that include number of viewers, the countries that viewers originate from, and the time of viewing are all calculated. The website is delivered in Flash so there is no native software installation required. Students and teachers can continue their educational exploration beyond the boundaries of the classroom.

Springnote is a writing tool in which students can create online notebooks. There are two types of notebooks that students can choose to create, personal notebooks or group notebooks. The personal notebook allows students to type their classroom notes with the option of choosing from predetermined outlines, generate to-do lists, create personal scheduling calendars, and the privacy and/or sharing of personal notebooks are flexible. Group notebooks allow students to collaborate for group projects, peer editing, and homework assignments. Springnote is an OpenID enabled web application that incorporates elements of wiki, word processing, and file organization into a simple and comfortable user experience. Springnote incorporates RSS feeds so that users may obtain the latest news and educational subject matter relevant to their interests. This tool aims to improve student productivity and organization.

Twiducate is a social network for schools. Teachers developed this website with the goal of creating a more educationally focused, safe venue for teachers, schools, and home learners in a socially networking environment. Only teachers and students have the ability to view the classroom posts. Twiducate allows teachers the ability to share inspirations, ideas, readings, thoughts, homework, deadlines, and post discussions. This site also helps keep parents informed of school activities, student progress, grades, and behavior. For students, twiducate encourages them to collaborate with their classmates, keep track of homework and upcoming deadlines, share and record thoughts and ideas, and improve writing and punctuation. This tool engages students in the learning material and motivates them to expand their knowledge outside the boundaries of the classroom.

Wikispaces is a tool used to create unique, individualized web pages. There are unlimited uses. Wikispaces provides multiple virtual tours that help students navigate through the site and easily design a unique web page. A visual page editor allows students to format text, insert images and files, add widgets, and link other pages by using a simple toolbar. Wikispaces invigorates effective collaboration. There are an unlimited number of pages and messages so that the web page can grow with the viewing community. There is an invitation system in which specified friends or family has the ability to edit and comment on the content. Wikispaces is connected to email and RSS feeds so that users are able to receive notifications of requested information. Creators can also easily customize their pages using advanced text formatting, custom themes, and custom domains. Security and reliability is maintained with real-time backups, SLL encryption, firewalls, and intrusion protection. Wikispaces has a highly praised customer support team.

** Classroom Applications of Web 2.0 **

Images have an amazing power to engage and inspire viewers. Therefore, I believe ARKive has enormous intrinsic value in education. I hope that by displaying the myriad of awe-inspiring images contained within this site, I will immediately capture the attention of my students. I believe that once I have piqued their interest, learning can truly begin. This learning tool will allow me to expose my students to environmental issues that directly and indirectly affect them. Humans are merely a piece of the puzzle that makes up the biodiversity of the world. All species depend on one another for survival. Through the use of this website, I hope to encourage students’ social awareness and environment consciousness.

The learning tool, mybrainshark, has endless possibilities in the classroom. As a teacher, I plan on creating interesting, thought-provoking presentations that engage students who utilize various learning styles. By incorporating audio and visual teaching techniques, students have a better chance of understanding and retaining the material presented. In some areas of science, strict memorization is required. The use of note cards can become boring, but with the combination of interesting audio and visual instruction, I believe the material becomes more captivating. I would also require students to create their own presentations on a specific topic and then have them present the material they have learned to the class. This activity completes the cycle of learning. The ability of podcasting also has substantial potential. I plan on creating ongoing podcasts which will be available to all my students. This way, students will have the ability to review lectures, explore topics beyond the curriculum, listen to lectures they may have missed, and to study for tests while outside the boundaries of the classroom.

The art of note taking is rarely taught in the school curriculum, yet it is a necessary skill required for students to function successfully in school and in the real world. Springnote is an inventive way of teaching students how to take efficient, effective notes. The site offers various note taking outlines that guide students through exploration and examination of pertinent topics. Also, this tool will help students stay organized with the to-do list applications and scheduling features. Organization and preparation in education is the key to success in effective learning and achievement.

Currently, a large percentage of students participate in social networking communities that may include Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. I believe that if I integrate previously acquired knowledge and experiences into the curriculum, students will be more interested in my lesson plans. The subject matter becomes more meaningful to the students. I will incorporate my students' previous experience and knowledge of social networking participation in a more educational and safe environment with the use of twiducate. I believe student collaboration is imperative to valuable learning and authentic interaction with the real world.

I hope to implement my curriculum with the use of Wikispaces as an authentic portfolio of students’ homework assignments, group projects, reflections, creative writing assignments, and artistic creations. Students will have the opportunity to collect and publish all their assignments they have completed in and out of the classroom during the semester or year. This collection will be contained in a convenient, easy accessible, and creative site. Students can edit each other student's work and provide comments and suggestions. Peer interaction is an essential preparation tool for working and collaborating with others inside and outside of the classroom. Also, students can explore other web applications to improve the look and presentation of their website.