Web 2.0 Tools in Today's Classroom

     

Web 2.0 is the latest available technology for the average person to create, communicate and collaborate. Long gone are the days of simply using your desktop as a word processor. Today's youth have no concept of "Basic" language and would find it amusing to see it in use. Web 2.0 is a doorway to utilizing available technology and to personalize your projects. This site is simply a collection of different applications available - there are more than most people realize and the best part is that these are free.

http://www.go2web20.net/

There are multiple sites that focus on Web 2.0 applications, such as “Classroom 2.0.” “Classroom 2.0” is a social network where teachers can share, ask questions and it provides information regarding Web 2.0 applications and tools.  Games have been used to reinforce concepts in school for many years. With the technology available today, gaming can be used in education in new and exciting ways, such as virtual simulations.  

http://www.classroom20.com/

Students can take virtual field trips, even travel back in time in virtual simulations.  Second Life is a popular virtual reality program where users live vicariously through an avatar.  It can be used for more than entertainment and there are websites, such as Second Life in Education, which provides categorized lists of places related to education. Second Life in Education provides instructions and tutorials to help users at multiple levels locate educational resources. The sites that relate to using education in Second Life, listed are some that you may find useful.

http://simteach.com/wiki/index.php?title=Top_20_Educational_Locations_in_Second_Life

http://secondlife.com/showcase/education/

http://secondlifegrid.net/slfe/education-use-virtual-world

Bookmarking is nothing new, but if you are on a friend's computer, you don't have access. That's where social bookmark sites come in as a lifesaver. Delicious is an online bookmark site that allows you to bookmark the site and add tags for easy retrieval. Another feature is the ability to see what other users have bookmarked. Teachers can bookmark sites for students to be able to easily access at school or at home.

http://www.delicious.com

http://www.delicious.com/lorichastain

http://delicious.com/

Twitter - Entertainment or Educational?

Twitter has gained popularity during the past year and is used by representatives from almost every demographic that exists. Once thought of as a way to stay in touch with friends and update them of your daily activities, Twitter has become a source of breaking news, rumors and even as a tool for educators.

Teachers have a valuable tool in Twitter if they use it effectively, such as setting up a network. By doing this, everyone they need connected will be. A mashtag is another way to do this. By utilizing Twitter, a teacher can keep parents aware of upcoming assignments, tests, or activities. Students can ask questions or post interesting sites they've found. Given the limitations on the size a tweet can be, students must use their words carefully so that they can communicate effectively. 

For information from the basics on using Twitter and an extensive list of educational uses, the following site is quite extensive.

http://onlinecollegedegree.org/2009/03/19/100-tips-apps-and-resources-for-teachers-on-twitter/

In this site, the author gives detailed instructions on the basics of using Twitter, but also includes how Twitter is best used in education, including setting up networks. Her experience is a valuable resource.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/2286799/Can-we-use-Twitter-for-educational-activities

This is an educator's blog and he refers to sites and white papers that you might have seen, but he also includes links to useful tools and references that are very useful.

http://web20teach.blogspot.com/2007/08/twitter-tweets-for-higher-education.html

Probably the most extensive list I've come across regarding Twitter and the many uses and tools you can utilize to get the most from Twitter is from a resource of lists belonging to the Educational Technology Users Group. In addition to Twitter references, they also have references for other tools that are useful to educators.

http://www.ibritt.com/resources/tr_twitter.html

To locate people who follow your tweets, there is a new application that shows you their location on a map. This would be a great tool to collaborate with other teachers around the world.

http://www.mytweetmap.com/

Twitter is just one of the many useful and popular Web 2.0 applications. It is free and there are many tools to utilize, making the most out of your Twitter experience. Below you will find the link to start your Twitter account, along with some of my favorite Twitter applications.

For your free account -

http://www.twitter.com

To personalize your background -

 

http://www.go2web20.net/app/?a=Free_Twitter_Designer

To upload photos for free - 

http://www.tweetphoto.com