Web 2.0: Enhancing Education Through Technology

A simple little article but I really liked some of the ideas that were included. For example, to help with teaching purpose and tone there is a site for making greeting cards - while this could be aimed towards the lower grade levels I think it could also be incorporated into high school literature courses by having characters write greeting cards to other characters. I also think that some of the suggested sites could be utilized across departments.

You do not have to join to view some of the basic features of this site. However, if you do decide to join you gain access to lesson plans, illuminated texts, discussion groups and so on. All you need to do is participate in the site - if you add a lesson or make comments in discussion groups you accumulate points. I joined because I was very interested in making illuminated manuscripts with my students using either powerpoint or the adobe group materials. I was really impressed with Prezi for the power of that tool but sometimes I just want student work to stay within our classroom and not be shared on the web so I like the idea of the illuminated manuscripts.

I really enjoyed reading this article about making appealing and intriguing powerpoint slideshows using images that attract attention. The article is brief but they offer several sites to obtain images from and then they suggest some editing elements you can do to alter the originals and use them as talking points before during or after a presentation. The most impacting piece I got out of it was when they asked the question - would you sit through your own presentation? Yeah, no kidding, how many times have you sat through a dull presentation with nothing to keep your eyes and attention sharp and interested.

Some great tips - especially like the list of places to find images instead of the common google. Randy

Prezi Timeline - Evolution of American Literature

ooooooo! I really liked this Prezi. It demonstrates a consistent use of symbols and movement to remind viewers of where they are in the presentation. Prezi seems to be a solid tool for these kind of "evolutionary" topics.

I am trying this again - last link went to site on news stand but not to actual presentation and would not open Example of prezi presentation. Also at the top are tabs to learn how to make a prezi presentation and an explore tab showing other prezi presentations and reasons to make one. Good background for anyone to learn more about Prezi.

Wowie zowie. That's a lot of information in that presentation! I could see how that would be a great overview of world civ to then have the students dig deeper for a research project.

This article focuses on why it's so difficult to find good mobile computing apps that foster education.

I have used this type of program at Springfield College and it helped a great deal in not only monitoring students but knowing who needed help.

Brief article about various ways teens use web 2.0 skills. Takes a look at proper use of tools such as Wikipedia, Facebook, and Youtube.

I like the idea about incorporating cell phones in the lessons. It is a technology that students are familiar with. They like using it. I like the rules for using cell phones described in the article. I am going to try using cell phones in my classes along with the website www.polleverywhere.com . If it works I may get a prepay phone to do quizzes as described in the article.

Many links to Web 2.0 resources are provided on this site: 100 Apps for Tech savvy teachers, Web Tools 4U2Use, Audio, books, File Sharing, and many-many more....

Talking about Web 2.0 tools and learning is meaningless as well - until you explain what the tools are, what they are used for, and what the students do with them.

Taking notes is an everyday skill in education but often overlooked. Technology -- and more specifically, the Internet -- has rendered paper and pencil passé and allowed educators and students to raise note-taking to the next level. Most of the following sites use some form of the "post-it" or "sticky," but with the integration of Web 2.0 technologies.

What teachers are doing with Flips

Introduce Flips to your staff: A PowerPoint with some great ideas on how to use Flips in the classroom.

Social media can be a wonderful way to generate student engagement in learning, but still must be introduced in a way that will excite students to participate.

Find out how schools are using iPads to provide special education students and their families a lower cost device that can assist them with communication and much more. Specific app titles are suggested for use.

"A Glog is like an online poster. Students can be creative by using graphics, photos, videos, music and text to create Glogs. Students can create pictures/diagrams/graphs in other programs such as Kidspiration and use them in their Glogs. They can also take photos of their original drawings to display in their Glog."

Voicethread as part of a cell lab portfolio is to better understand how to use microscopes and learn how to measure cells. We think that we should learn more about the parts of cells, and how to work together as a team.