USING WEB 2.O TOOLS IN THE K-12 CLASSROOM

By Barb Daniels

WHAT IS WEB 2.0?According to Dictionary.com, Web 2.0 is “a second generation in the development of the World Wide Web, conceived as a combination of concepts, trends, and technologies that focus on user collaboration, sharing of user-generated content and social networking”.

The Collins English Dictionary states that Web 2.0 is “the internet viewed as a medium in which interactive experience, in the form of blogs, wikis, forums, etc, plays a more important role than simply accessing information.”

Basically, Web 2.0 is tech tools that engage users, and involve them in the process of gaining and sharing information, often through creative means.

WHY USE WEB 2.0 TOOLS?

• Today’s students are constantly plugged in, communicating with others wirelessly, gathering music, photos, and information at the touch of a fingertip. This is how they prefer to spend their time!

• Technology is a proven motivator; it is naturally engaging and entertaining.

• Web 2.0 tools give students a natural platform for sharing information.

• They naturally cause students to utilize higher order thinking skills of synthesizing, analyzing, and creating.

• Most students prefer to learn through interaction with others, and this happens through collaboration and networking on the web.

• Using Web 2.0 tools fosters life-long learning and literacy.

“

”

IT IS NOT THE AVAILABILITY OF TECHNOLOGY THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, BUT THE WAY TEACHERS EMBED CRITICAL THINKING INTO ITS USE THAT WILL IMPACT STUDENT LEARNING.

Carrice Cummins, 2013

Sample museum box

THINGS TO REMEMBER…,*Start small - Master 1 tool before trying to use another.

*Be prepared – Be sure the tool is accessible at school, and that it works well on school computers.

*Have an alternate plan – This may include using a different website, or using paper and pencil.

*Keep the focus on the content-not the technology!

*Let students take the lead – you don’t have to master every tool if students can teach the class to use them.

THINGS THAT EFFECTIVE FACILITATORS OF TECHNOLOGY KNOW

• Technology is here to stay! It is not just another passing phase in education.

• You don’t have to be an expert in technology to use Web 2.0 tools.

• Consider yourself a co-learner with the students.

• Use technology to expand your students’ world and put them in touch with others.

• Technology is not responsible for the students’ learning, the teachers are!

• Technology is not the destination, but one of several vehicles that can be used to get them where they need to go.

• Teachers no longer need to be the “sage on the stage”, but a “guide on the side” as students construct their own meanings, and become effective communicators.

WHAT KINDS OF TOOLS ARE OUT THERE?

An incredible site that you must check out is Web 2.0:Cool Tools for School

SOME OF THE TYPES OF WEB 2.0 TOOLS FOUND ON THE INTERNET

• Presentation, Collaboration

• Research, Graphing, Widgets

• Audio, Video, Images

• Writing, Drawing, Music

• Organizing, Mapping, Quizzes & Polls

• Slideshows, Creativity

• Web Pages, File Storage, Converting

• Cool Tools has multiple examples and links for every type of tool!

OVERWHELMED???• Given the vast amount of tools that are readily available on the internet,

that are totally free, its not surprising!

• There are many books written on using Web 2.0 tools in the classroom, not to mention the articles, wikis and blogs that are available.

• One good resource is The Super Book of Web Tools for Educators which can be downloaded for free from “A Media Specialists’ Guide to the Internet” at http://mediaspecialistsguide.blogspot.com/2011/08/30-web-sites-to-teach-you-about.html

SOME GOOD PLACES TO START…

• While there are thousands of tools out there, some are extremely popular because of their appeal and user friendliness.

• Another good bet is to find a friend who uses technology successfully, and use them as a resource.

• Presentation tools are fun for students to play with, and a valuable way for them to organize and synthesize information to share with others.

• Storytelling and blogging tools are another easy and fun way for students to practice writing skills.

• Some of the most popular tools are as follows…

GLOGSTER

• Online posters that can be embedded with images, music, and videos.

BLABBERIZEStudents can draw a picture or use a photo, choose a spot to be the “mouth”, then record their text.

PREZI

• An interactive presentation tool that students can collaborate on, and showcase their creativity as they share information.

SHELFARI

• A great intro to social networking by sharing, reviewing, and commenting on others’ book selections.

WEEBLY

• Super simple and attractive website builder. Allows students to synthesize, organize, and share information.

IN CONCLUSION…

Whether you are a student, teacher, media specialist, administrator, parent or grandparent, you simply have to begin checking out the amazing Web 2.0 tools for use with students, children, or just for yourself!

Trying just one of the suggested tools will get you so excited about technology, you will have to try more tools.

And most importantly…

Technology is here to stay, and it is an amazing tool that we should not try to live without!

Image created with Tagxedo

References Anderson, S., Bellow, A., Byrne, R., Couros, G., Ferlazzo, L., Kolbert, L… Tolisano, S. R. (2010). The super book of web tools for educators. Retrieved from http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/12/super-book-of-web-tools-for-educators.html#.U8sJG_ldWAV

Cool Tools for School. (2014) Retrieved from http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/Home

Cummins, C. (2013). Using technology to make a difference. Reading Today, 30(5), 2-4. David Ligon. (2009, August 9). 21st Century Teaching & Learning [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.classroom20.com/profiles/blogs/21st-century-teaching-amp Essential Collaboration, Web 2.0 and Social Leaning Platforms for 21st Century Education. (2013). District Administration, 49(1), 56-57.

Intel Free Press (Photographer). Kids with education tablet computers. (2010). [Digital Image].Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AKids_with_Education_Tablet_Computers.jpg Linik, J. (2012). Literacy 2.0: Teaching students the skills needed to succeed in our information economy. Education Digest:Essential Readings Condensed for Quick Review, 78(3), 25-29.

Ramig, R. (2010). Online tools for research—elementary and middle school style. Multimedia & Internet @ Schools, 17(5), 15-17. Schaffhauser, D. (2012). The best free Web 2.0 tools. THE Journal, 39(1), 47.

Steer, D. (2012). Improve formal learning with social media. T+D, 66(12), 31-33.

Story, T. (2012). Can Web 2.0 strengthen reading skills?. Library Media Connection, 31(3), 38-39.

Wanago, N. (2013). Effective Web 2.0 Tools for your classroom. Techniques: Connecting Education and Careers, 88(1), 18-21.

Web 2.0. (n.d.). Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 1:http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Web 2.0 Web 2.0. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved July 18, 2014, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Web 2.0

Young, C. & Rasinski, T. (2013). Student-Produced movies as a medium for literacy development. Reading Teacher, 66(8), 670-675.