Web 2.0: Enhancing Education Through Technology

This is an academic paper examining the reasons why an online learning group should 'move ... from cohort to community.' (abstract), and how students resources and strategies may be managed to accomplish this. The paper asserts that students in a distance learning situation are isolated from each other and the teacher, therefore it is of vital importance that the cohort needs to create a sense of community rather than simply exist alone in the virtual learning room. The article quotes Vygotsky's social development theory of 1978, Selznik's seven elements of community: history, identity, mutuality, plurality, autonomy, participation, and integration (1996), and how the author's of the article modified the characteristics to conform more with current online learning theory. I found this article particularly relevant to the current situation I find myself in. Even though I am happy in my own space and don't need the close interaction with others, I can see that it is important to push myself forward in the sense of gleaning the most benefit from the course and those many intelligent people out there. This is difficult for me because I find the time necessary to maintain so many contacts, and actually have something worthwhile to say and share goes against my slow, ponderous thinking and non-gregarious nature!

Teachers who want to share websites with their students but want to get rid of ads and other questionable material can use this free web tool to "clip" any part of a web page and rearrange clips onto a custom page that can be shared with other people.

The Storybird Ning webpage is a place for teachers to get together and brainstorm ideas and information relative to the implementation Storybird.com with their students. Storybird is a collaborative storywriting website that allow students to read, write, and share their creations. Students can illustrate their stories with images from the site's artwork library.

This entry highlights the way, Adobe, the power-maker in the area of professional design and graphics, is making access affordable to the 'touch technology' generation. It is providing Android based (and soon to be OS) tablet type apps available for as little as $10. The article highlights a few of the apps that would be accessible and appropriate students as young as 6th grade to learn to use. This brings professional type graphics power and creativity within reach of School children...something very dear to my heart!

This article deals specifically with how online writing through the use of either asynchronous or synchronous tools can enhance the traditional classroom. The use of a blog to discuss ideas and debate issues may not be as dynamic or interactive as some of the other Web 2.0 tools we have been discussing and using. However, this article makes the point that using blogs can make content more engaging, provide a way for students to be reflective, allow them the opportunity to practice presenting ideas and arguments and finding their voice. The author, Robert Baird from the University of Illinois, argues that these discussion tools are not used up to their potential. I resonated with this article because as a teacher of an online course that uses discussion threads extensively, I completely agree that students level of engagement and understanding of issues, as well as becoming better thinkers, finding their voice and being forced to use evidence in their answers is remarkable.

This post was useful to language teachers and educators who are novice at implementing technology in their teaching contexts. It has listed samples of some of how to integrate web2.0 tools into language classes to train linguistic skills.

Hohli charts is a simple method of creating dynamic data sets that then display as charts and graphs. This web 2.0 tool would be great and simple for students to use in a k-12 educational setting.

Smartboard: Tips and tricks using the Magic Pen tool. You might not know, but the Notebook's magic pen tool does three awesome things that can enhance any lesson using the Smartboard.

Infographic- The Internet in 2020. A lot there, but my browser allowed me to magnify it so I could read it better. Interesting trends. A lot of changes. A lot to worry about.

" I know now the secret to using any piece of technology in the classroom is to begin with clear learning goals and intentions that are based on "big understandings." Once students know what they need to learn, they will often find a way to express their ideas. Providing tools such as iPads for students enables them to use the items and skills they use outside of the classroom to communicate their knowledge. Furthermore, they are building the skills and learning how to use the tools that they may be required to use in the workplace."

eSchool News presents the dilemma with the growing trends in online learning. Communication is key in the classroom and online/virtual teachers must possess the special skills necessary to enhance the learning process in the virtual environment.

Very interesting article. I think a lot of teachers diving into online teaching are not prepared for, or are surprised at, the intense level of communication required. Frequent concise feedback to students is the key. This article does a solid job at communicating this. Thanks for sharing it.

This is a "news" article written to announce Skype's international collaborative efforts in education. For example, there are programs with orchestras and museums that classes can participate in, thus offering students the possiblity of interacting live with authors, musicians and the like. Although it contains useful information, it should be understood that this is essentially an advertisement for Skype.

The Webinar about Bullying takes place this May 30th at 3:00pm Eastern time. It appears to be about bullying in general, but perhaps it includes a part on Cyberbullying. You need to register for the webinar to participate. A webinar is a good opportunity for using interactive, collaborative technology with peers around the nation (world?). If the webinar includes cyberbullying, that also is an added plus. The rest of this press release is a plug for the company sponsoring it.

"Due Diligence and Social Media, Gaming and 21st Century Learning. Will education Institutions be held accountable"

Ever wonder about music licensing. This article gives information and agencies where to obtain licenses that are needed. I was very surprised at what needs a license. I do wonder how many license are not obtained that should be.

How to create a gloster

Glogster

What voicethread is?

This article looks at online communication from a district's point of view. Using tools such as websites, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, online surveys, YouTube, and Pinterest, school districts are getting information out to a variety of constituents, not just parents and students. They are building a connection to the community.