Web 2.0 is a newer way to utilize the internet and all it has to offer. Web 2.0 tools are sites that are more user oriented and allow users to personalize and edit to make sites their own. Web 2.0 is also a great tool to use when sharing information or photos. The tools are usually easy to use and also have different pieces you can edit to really make it all your own. The key characteristics are user friendly, able to edit and tweek it to make it yoru own, and it also allows you to collaborate and work with other people easily to create something. Some examples of web 2.0 tools are facebook or myspace. These are social networking sites that allows users to upload pictures, sometimes change backgrounds, upload pieces of flair, and also let the world know what you are doing and also your interests. Other forms of web 2.0 are sites like photobucket which allows people to upload photos to share and also create online photo albums. There are also online blogs which people can personalize as well as write in. Websites like wikipedia which allow people to easily search for information can be considered web 2.0 tools. The main web 2.0 tool that i use is facebook. Facebook allows me to keep in touch with my friends and family. It is also a great tool to advertize events I am planning and quickly invite people to them. I also have used an online blog in the past but I am not currently using it anymore. I think the best web 2.0 tools to use with students could be a motified online blog where students could upload work for me to see, have online discussions, and also use as a quick link to get people's help on assignments. Another web 2.0 tool to use could be making students create their own online wiki as an assignment for me to grade.
In class we all worked in groups to investigate and play with some websites that utilized some web 2.0 tools. I was in the Microblogging group and we investigated the website Twitter. We also created a powerpoint to present to the class to explain what the website was and also how it could be used in a classroom or as a tool for an educator. In my demonstration I used a powerpoint, the outline, the Edmodo video, and then I showed my group my personal twitter. The powerpoint was really great because it had everything in an easy to use and follow form. The Edmodo video I think really interested the group because it demonstrated everything that the site can do. My favorite part of the demonstration was showing people my twitter because I got to actually show how I use the site myself. It is kind of hard to explain what a hashtag is but when I opened up twitter I was able to show it in the context it is intended for. I liked presenting to the small group because I was able to look at each individual person and also ask them if they had any questions. I was also able to grasp their responses to my presentation.
Here is a link to view the powerpoint as a whole and also here is a screenshot of the presentation to give you an idea as to what it is.
Microblogging Powerpoint
Another Web 2.0 project we did was creating a class blog. This project was really cool because I think blogging is something that a lot of teachers take interest in and use in their classrooms and now I know how to make one! I must say it was really cool to learn how to blog and also how to embed videos. I have never really been the most technologically advanced person, but now I can at least say I know how to blog.The only thing that I struggled with was getting the video to embed where I wanted it. I finally found the place where I wanted to put it but then the video seemed too big and even now I don’t know how to get it to fit in the area without exceeding the border of the blog itself. Other than that difficulty I found blogging to be kind of fun. I could see myself using a blog and having students upload their projects for me to view and grade. I could also see myself using a blog to have a place where parents can view my blog and get an idea about what is going on in the classroom. They would also be able to contact me easier with questions or concerns. This way parents know what is going on in my classroom and also what is going to be due soon so they can help their child succeed. I think blogs can really be a great tool for a classroom and I will probably use one in the future.
(This is a screenshot of my class blog that I created about the pros of using handheld devices in the classrooms. I specifically talked about using Apple's iPad in the classroom.) To view the blog in its entirety please view the link below!
Handheld Devices Blog
Standard:
I believe that INTASC standard #2 can be met by utilizing web 2.0 tools. The standard states, "The teacher understands how children learn and develop, and can provide learning opportunities that support a child's intellectual, social, and personal development." I think that by using Web 2.0 tools teachers can meet this standard. Web 2.0 is an easy way to tap into student's need and knowledge of social tools like social networking sites or blogs. Teachers can use blogs to engage students in group work in a format that they are comfortable using. Using social networking sites allows students to work on a platform that they usually associate with fun. If teachers can morph sites like Twitter or Blogger into an educational platform than they will be expanding on knowledge students already have and develop additional tools are resources for the students to utilize down the road.
Another standard that in a way addresses Web 2.0 as well as blogs could be INTASC standard #4. This standard states, "The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage student development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills. Web 2.0 tools as well as blogs meet this standard. I think this because by using a web 2.0 tool such as a wiki you can engage students differently. You can have students do online scavenger hunts and use a social booking marking site as a way to save the websites to receive credit. Students use the internet for basically everything these days so any way that a teacher can use something in the students comfort zone and expand on it is a great tool.
Another standard that in a way addresses Web 2.0 as well as blogs could be INTASC standard #4. This standard states, "The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage student development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills. Web 2.0 tools as well as blogs meet this standard. I think this because by using a web 2.0 tool such as a wiki you can engage students differently. You can have students do online scavenger hunts and use a social booking marking site as a way to save the websites to receive credit. Students use the internet for basically everything these days so any way that a teacher can use something in the students comfort zone and expand on it is a great tool.
