A modern teacher extends learning by incorportating Web 2.0 Tools. If you are like me, Web 2.0 Tools can be a little overwhelming. There are thousands of free tools! How do you even begin to use them?
A great resource I use for lesson planning is Discovery Education. Within the site, there is great information for teachers involving technology. There is some wonderful tips and advice, especially about Web 2.0 Tools. They break down the main categories of Web 2.0 Tools:
- Presentation
- Video
- Mobile
- Image
- Communication
- Best of the Rest
References:
Discovery Education. (2011). Web 20.11. Available from http://web2011.discoveryeducation.com/web20tools.cfm
DiscoveryEd2010Web. (2010). web20_Intro.flv. Available from http://youtube/KN11ZoDJXD4
Discovery education is also a large part of my lesson planning. I especially like the format and how a segment of a video can be used or downloaded for a specific lesson or objective. The lesson extenders are very good as well. I have found that some of the videos are quite dated, but the large number of videos available allow teachers to choose and find appropriate material for each lesson.
ReplyDeleteI haven't ever used Discovery Education, but will definitely go to it for some more ideas on lesson planning. I also definitely see and feel your confusion on what tools to use since the list is growing and growing. Just like in the video, where it showed that some favorites are no longer available and are being replaced with new... it can definitely be overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteThere is a website (http://www.go2web20.net/) that is designed to supply a list of web 2.0 tools (71 pages of them to be exact). I have also started compiling a "Technology Tools" spreadsheet in Excel and have added to it over the last three years so that I know which tools I like and which ones I want to use in the classroom for which uses. I include the website to find the tool, a short description of the tool, and what subjects and grade levels I think it would be most beneficial for.
As I reflect on your theme, “extended learning,” I cannot help but to be reminded of a quote from the father of education, John Dewey. He once stated “for learning to be effective it should shift from the memorization of a body of knowledge to a process of inquisition, knowing and understanding” (Dewey, ). Learning and activities need to be aligned and “extended” to a problem or task. Then if the task is authentic students will take ownership when in a supportive and challenging learning environment. In addition, students learn by doing in a hands-on meaningful environment (Gonzales & Nelson, 2005).
ReplyDeleteReferences
Gonzales, A., & Nelson, L., (2005). Learner-centered instruction promotes student success. Retrieved November 9, 2011 from http://www.thejournal.com
Daniel Light did some research on what Web 2.0 tools work best in the classroom. He did multiple interviews with different teachers from all over the country. One of the key things he found was that it's really important to use these programs often. The more times you use these programs in a given week or month, the better students get at using them and the more comfortable they'll feel when they use them.
ReplyDeleteLight, D. (2011). Do web 2.0 right . Learning & Leading with Technology, 38(5), 10-12, 14-15. Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ914323
Thanks for a great resource. Web 2.0 tools are playing a greater role in the classroom and I’ve introduced several tools to teachers on my campus. Daniel Light states in Do Web 2.0 Right (2011) that when using web 2.0 technologies or any technology “careful instructional planning is of paramount importance.” I think this site is a great starting point for those that would like to explore web 2.0 tools on their own. The site is very easy to navigate and the teachers know that the information is from a reliable source as Discovery Streaming is already a part of our planning process and we use its resources regularly.
ReplyDeleteLight, D. (2011). Do web 2.0 right. Learning & Leading with Technology, 38(5), 10-12, 14-15. Retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/EJ914323.pdf
This is what digital natives need, they need engagement, differentiation, interaction, collaboration, so that learning can take place. As a presentation that I found on a website
ReplyDelete(http://www.slideshare.net/heyjudeonline/creative-web-20-learning) states, Web 2.0 technologies brings focus, participation, standardization, usability, and way to economize. Web2.0 technologies are teaching students how to effectively communicate, collaborate, become critical thinkers, provides huge resources for students to find more information, and keeps them engage to motivate them to learn. For these and many reasons, Web 2.0 technologies are a necessary combination with education.