Saturday, September 5, 2009
Web2.0 and Rethinking our Schools
Each of you have posted a reflection on Web2.0 and Rethinking our Schools in your own personal Blog. Your task is to copy/paste this text as a Comment in this Educ 520 Course Blog. All comments will be available to everyone, so it provides a nice one-stop shop to get a wonderful collective overview.
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ReplyDeleteAs a future educator, I see many advantages using Web 2.0. Web2.0 is "a web-based platform for applications and services." Web 2.0 is web-based and it allows us to access many things without having to rely on a particular machine. We can log in using any computer and all of our files are accessible through the web. This is especially appealing to me using Google Docs. Imagine. No more thumb drives, disks, misplacing our files, losing them, or worrying about dropping our laptops that hold documents that we work so hard on. There are many tools useful for teachers, and they are constantly updated automatically. What a breakthrough!
ReplyDeleteWeb 2.0 is a "web-based platform for applications and services." This means that I can use ANY computer to access my information because it is all web-based with Web 2.0. The applications that Web 2.0 has include: word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, audio and video productions, communications, tech support. This is a huge jump for technology and is a great way to keep all of your information in one place without having to carry your laptop around with you everywhere you go.
ReplyDeleteThese types of technologies can have a huge impact on my effectiveness as a teacher. It is obvious that the world is moving towards more advanced technology. It is up to teachers to make sure that children in today's age come into contact with this technology. One way to make sure that this happens is by integrating it into the classroom. A way that these technologies can improve my effectiveness as an educator is by being very organized because I use a program like Web 2.0. Since this program is web based I will never have to "forget" anything at home, so I am always prepared for my lessons. It will also improve my effectiveness as a teacher because there are lots of ways that I can use this tool to introduce technology into the classroom, such as spreadsheets, presentations, and word processing. If I can use all of these tools in my classroom, the students then have a better chance at succeeding in their education because it is very technologically based. I hope to use all of these wonderful tools in my classroom, with my students someday.
Web2.0 is a handy resource which makes it easy to access personal documents, pictures, software and other types of files from any computer. Web2.0 has tools which relate to blogging, videos, pictures, documents/presentations, and many other applications. Web2.0 saves everything you upload onto a server, protecting important documents/files and making it easier to recover from the dreaded computer crash. Everything is safer and easier to access/retrieve in the web-based world. As an educator, this program could prove helpful in mobile creation and editing of lesson plans, file back-up, and freeing up memory on my classroom and personal computers.
ReplyDeleteStudents could be educated on how to use this technology and use it to avoid having an issue with losing a special project or document as a result of personal computer malfunction. Older students might find it particularly helpful yet younger students could also utilize it.
* The tools I believe I will use from Web2.0 include those related to document and presentation uploading, processing and editing. I also would love to use it to back up my documents and pictures. DropBox allows for this to happen. I could also use this program to access lesson plan images in the classroom after uploading them at home, reducing downtime in the classroom and helping students stay more engaged.
* Another tool I think would come in handy for scheduling meetings with parents would be Doodle.com. This tool helps with schedule synthesis and event planning, allowing all involved to go to one website and say when they're available and the website does the rest. So, if I can more easily meet with parents about how I can best help their student, I will likely be able to better assist that student in staying productive in the classroom.
Overall, Web2.0 will likely be extremely helpful as an educator and as a user of technology in general.
I can see many different reasons to use the tools from Web 2.0. I use many of these tools on a daily basis and could see myself using regularly when I am a teacher. Web 2.0 is a set of online tools that are accessible from wherever you are. It's refereed to as "cloud computing" since everything is figuratively in the sky and accessible to users whenever desired. The effectiveness of these technologies in the classroom is endless. The students are able to see the real life implication of and the ease of using these tools. The students are able to see the transition from a classic classroom to that of a technology development room. With these tools, the students can feel involved more in the class if they have an accurate visual (Google earth) and audio (yodio).
ReplyDelete- Screen toaster records every movement the mouse makes and sound that occurs during a dedicated session. This could be used in class when they are learning a new unit or they are searching for something for a report. Screen toaster would also increase the effectiveness of the class as you could use it as a demonstration for the students of how to do something online instead of having to repeat it. It also would be useful when students are at home trying to remember how to get to the site that they had used earlier. This will help their confidence if they know there is a place to show them their past if they need it which would increase their productivity.
- Skype is a tool that could be used regularly in the classroom. The students could use skype to talk to their pin pals without paying for international calling charge. If Google earth is demonstrated at the same time, the students have something tangible to comprehend the project. They feel connected to the students from across seas while sitting in their own classroom. Once they have this connection they will be more eager to participate and will be able retain more from the project.
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ReplyDeleteUsing Web 2.0 tools means that work is not attached to a particular machine. There are two big applications I see with that. First, teachers do not have to worry about losing all of their work if a computer crashes or needs to be moved to a computer lab. With Web 2.0, lesson plans stored on a computer for 10 years can still be used after the 10 year old computer breaks. The files are not lost. 4shared.com can store up to 5G of files for free. Lesson plans can easily be stored for protection from losing a computer, plus they can easily be shared with collaborating teachers. Second, Web 2.0 tools can easily be used for effective parent communication. Students will not have to worry about remembering to bring letters home to their parents, because they can just go home and look something up on the internet. Homework assignments, classroom discussion summaries, lesson outlines, and many other classroom papers can be put onto the internet for children and their parents to access at home. Parents can even be updated about classroom happenings through a blog.
ReplyDeleteWeb2.0 refers to software, files, and services that can be accessed online from any location or computer at all times. The potential impact web2.0 tools can have on my influence as an educator is vast. It opens a world of possibilities for creative avenues of teaching within the classroom, which make incorporating students interests and increasing motivation easier. Children love working with technology and amazing programs like these, which provide kids with a plethora of ideas and resources. Some web2.0 tools that I would use in my classroom include, TokBox, UStream, Voice Thread, and podcasting. Each of these programs offer opportunities for my students to create their own short videos while using pictures and voice to display their knowledge and ideas. It’s a very useful tool to engage and motivate kids in their learning by making them a star.
ReplyDeleteWeb 2.0 tools will be a very useful tool in my teaching. With how fast technology is changing, students need to be prepared for the future. Web 2.0 tools will not only assist me in the introduction to technology in my classroom, but also as a teaching aid.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites is wordle. I haven't quite figured out what I would use it for yet, but I think my students would find that tool fun and exciting.
I also think I will use doodle, actually I know I will use doodle. I have a hard time figuring out my schedules, and in being a teacher I will need to be as organized as I possibly can with my time :D
My Favorite Web 2.0 tool : Dabbleboard
ReplyDeleteI really liked this tool because it is fun, easy to use and above all it's FREE. It detects shapes and feels natural like writing on the whiteboard with a marker. I also liked the fact that it is fast and secure and can be used on any software and no extra hardware is required. It allows sharing and real time collaboration, i.e. you can share drawings with friends or co-workers anywhere in the world, you can log on at the same time and work collaboratively on the same thing and you can view others' work and make changes on them. To me, it sounds like a fun tool that can be used effectively in classrooms. Students will love using this tool in art classes.
Using Skype in classrooms
Many of my friends in India have Skype accounts and they have always asked me to set up one too, but I never did because I didn't think it was useful. But after observing the use of Skype in our Ed. Tech class the other day I thought it would be fun to try it out. I feel that using Skype in classrooms will not only be a fun experience for students but also a learning activity. There are so many ways this tool can be used in a classroom: for remote discussions, inviting guest speakers who cannot be physically present in the class, and connecting with people in different parts of the world by using a technological tool that is easily available and free. Just imagine how effective a lesson on cultures and languages will be if the students can get to connect to people of different languages and cultures just sitting in their classrooms.
Skype is an interesting program that allows for free video conference between two people anywhere in the world providing that there is an internet connection. This could be useful when trying to help students out with a project using a variety of other tools. I would have to be careful about protecting myself and make sure a parent is around to make sure that everything was conducted in a professional manner. I could help students that needed clarification with homework or technology issues. I could use teamviewer to directly see what they are doing and taking over their computer. This would be particularly useful when a big project needed to be finished for my students. Also I could use Skype and other programs to stay in touch with my student's parents and address any of their concerns directly and help them with technological issues.
ReplyDeleteAs a personal productivity tool I can see Skype as a way to contact others and help them with issues and have them help me with my own questions. I can talk with friends and family in a more personal way and not only talk, but see them as well.
Using a combination of different Web 2.0 programs I can see myself become very efficient working with students and other forms of educational advancement. I will still need to be careful to protect myself for safety concerns, but overall as long as I am catious, these tools including Skype can be used to change my teaching for the better.
Web 2.0 refers to the emerging set of web-based tools and applications that can be utilized for a myriad of purposes. Everything you could possibly want is pretty much available online, from voice recording to word processing to presentation tools. Many of these great tools are absolutely free and incredibly useful.
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorite Web 2.0 tools:
Google Applications: My new favorite online resource. Free word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, and form-creation tools. I'm currently typing all of my class notes in Google docs, and they automatically sync to each of my machines: my desktop, laptop, and even my netbook.
Students are no longer bound by the limitations of their at-home software. Google docs is absolutely free, and is compatible with every computer that has access to the internet. Students don't need Microsoft office to create presentations, spreadsheets, or even write papers. Now they can do it all online. The spreadsheet application can be incredibly useful for providing instant graphic feedback to students entering data for a project or for illustrating concepts in a presentation. Overall a great tool that I'll be personally using a great deal in the future.
Yodio: Yodio allows users to easily create instant voice recording using only their cell (or home) phone. We used this tool to great effect to reflect on the OTEN conference and I can see how useful it could be for a variety of applications.
Anyone with a phone can create a Yodio, even students without cell phone access or a computer of their own. You don't need to setup a mic, install recording software, and then locate your sound file, you can simply call in and your recording is instantly online. What a great and easy way for students to reflect on readings or submit presentations. Creating a Yodio with pictures is a quick, stress-free way to deliver a presentation, encouraging students to concentrate on content rather than the fear of speaking in front of the class. Another very useful tool I'm sure will come in useful in the future.
Web 2.0 is defined by “a web-based platform for applications and services” This means that all my files I can access anywhere, anytime’s on any computer. It surprises be how fast the computer world is advancing. I remember days that if something happened to your computer or file is was gone and there was nothing you can do about it. I think this will be beneficial to be because I won’t have to worry about hauling my laptop around or losing important information or backing up everything I have. This will create a lot less stress of the worrying of the malfunction of the computer and all your hard work vanishing into thin air. This will be a useful tool in my future teaching career.
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