Sunday, July 19, 2009

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.


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.  


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.



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.


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