Web2.0

What is everybody talking about? The changing nature of the Internet. The Internet used to be a great place to go and find information, do your research, and just be smarter! But then WE ALL got smarter and now it's time for ALL OF US to become a part of the information superhighway! Not just GET information, but to CONTRIBUTE to the wealth of information.
 * Learn It! **

Web2.0 is not only a collection of tools, Web2.0 refers to the way we interface and become a part of the information superhighway. Let's start our learning adventure with a few videos:

media type="custom" key="24373172" Note: to see all the videos in this playlist, click the in the upper left corner. There are ** TWO ** videos in this playlist.

From [|Wikipedia], Web 2.0 is a phrase coined by [|O'Reilly Media] in 2003 and popularized by the first Web 2.0 conference in 2004, and refers to a perceived second generation of web-based communities and [|hosted services] — such as [|social-networking sites], [|wikis] and [|folksonomies] — that facilitate collaboration and sharing between users.

Hmmm...how does Web1.0 and Web2.0 compare?

[[image:theconnectedclassroom/web20.jpg width="561" height="401"]]
So WHY do we have to consider this new internet? What's wrong with the way we've always done thing? media type="custom" key="24372780"

There are literally thousands of Web2.0 tools--tools that allow collaboration, interaction, visual and auditory connections. These dynamic nature of the tools REQUIRE interaction with the user. But in education, that interaction is not sufficient to warrant their use. We must carefully design a framework or scaffold for students to use as they apply the tool so that the interaction creates the learning experience for the student. This does not mean we limit the use of the tool or place undue restrictions on the student's creative application of the tool, but it is to say that we frame the experience with knowledge of the tools use and how it can be used to create the learning environment that could not be replicated without the use of the tool.




 * Think About It! **

So let's talk about Web2.0 tools.

Every Web2.0 tool has attributes:

(a) it's free to use; (b) it's easy to use; (c) it is collaborative in nature. That can mean that it is a tool that multiple people work together on, or it can be mean that one person works on it, but posts it for others to view.

Every Web2.0 tool, if used correctly in a classroom, will CHANGE THE LEARNING and TEACHING ENVIRONMENT to improve the educational experience for both the students and the teacher.



Generally, Web2.0 tools can be categorized into these sections (although these are mine and I reserve the right to expand these categories):

--Organizers --Presentation tools --Timelines --Comic Strip Makers --Mindmapping Tools --Flashcard Makers --Storytelling tools (this has a wide application) --Internet Tools (an broad assortment of tools) --Mapping Tools --Graphics --Online Quizzes --Avatars --Bookmakers --Charts Creators


 * Plan It! **

This 2-week assignment is ALL ABOUT CHOICES. Before you can plan the use and integration of Web2.0 tools, we need a unit of instruction. So the first thing you need to do is to HAVE a unit of instruction.


 * Here's your FIRST choice you will make in this assignment: **

Choice 1 : Find a pre-existing unit of instruction similar to one you would most likely teach (just Google it and you will find examples like this). Choice 2 : Write a storyboard for a unit of instruction you would like to teach (you can use this template OR one of your own). Choice 3 : Choose an existing unit of instruction you already teach!


 * Here's the SECOND choice you will make in this assignment: **

Choose 6 tools that will change the learning in the unit. Be prepared to defend your decisions.

Now, before you go cruzin' through the following sites of Web2.0 tools, I want you to ** think ** about a unit of instruction you might teach and specifically think about the concepts and skills you need to teach your students during a unit of instruction. That way, when you come across a tool you love, you will be thinking about the unit and how to incorporate that tool into a lesson.

Are you thinking?



So, here are my favorite Web2.0 collection sites:


 * @http://www.livebinders.com/play/play/365641
 * http://webtools4u2use.wikispaces.com/
 * @http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=652510
 * @http://www.only2clicks.com/pages/drmcgregor/399232
 * http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com
 * http://teachweb2.wikispaces.com/
 * http://etoolbox.wikispaces.com/Digital+Portfolios

Do It!

You did it! So, once again, here are your assignments for this (and next) week (due in TWO weeks: November 22th):

1. Complete your Unit design (but don't go into a lot of detail).

2. Choose SIX tools (only one per category above) that will support a unique and powerful learning lesson for your students that fits into your unit. The only one you can't choose for this assignment: YouTube.

3. For each tool:

a) figure a way to use the tool in your unit plan;

b) go to the website for the tool, set up an account and create the tool as an EXAMPLE of what you want the students to do;

c) Embed your example on your own wiki page (listed below), along with a brief description of the lesson (this does not need to be more than a paragraph, but it does need to "paint a picture" of what will be happening in the lesson. It also needs to include a brief description (in two sentences or less) of how the tool would change the learning environment (i.e., how doing a on-line presentation would differ from doing a traditional written report). Think about the audience, the use of the tool, the motivation of the learner, the research, reading, writing, etc. I left three examples for you to see from last year's students.


 * WARNING: DO NOT confuse a widget with a Web2.0 tool. A widget is a little gadget (like a clock, or a quote generator). That is NOT a tool and you will NOT receive credit for it. **


 * ALSO NOTE: you MUST embed your tools into your wiki page--I don't want a link!!! **


 * AND FINALLY--DON'T PAY FOR ANYTHING. Web2.0 tools are evolving creatures. Sometimes they come and then fold (like MyBrainShark). Sometimes they are free for years, then decide to charge (like Glogster). Sometimes they are free just to educators (like Animoto). If you find a tool you like but find you have to pay for it, SKIP IT--find another. **

 Remember, if you need to embed the code for a Web2.0 tool in your wiki, watch this screencast. The author is using Glogster as the the web2.0 tool, but this works EXACTLY the same with ANY tool. media type="custom" key="24372510"

Links to pages where each of your can embed your tool codes/descriptions.


 * STUDENT ||
 * Example ||
 * Example ||
 * Example ||
 * Kyle ||
 * @Whitney ||
 * @John ||
 * @Catie ||
 * @Chris ||
 * @Maria ||
 * @Marlen ||
 * @Kayla ||
 * @Nicole ||
 * @Nicole ||