Web+2.0

__ Web 2.0 Technology in the Classroom __

 Education has stayed the same in many ways. Our goal of educating children to become productive and fruitful members of society has not changed for decades. The idea of helping students achieve their highest potential in all areas of study has remained strong in the minds of parents and educators. However, with the advent of computers, the tools available to make that happen have changed and grown exponentially. With smart boards and computers in many classrooms, teachers have unlimited resources to create an educational environment that can foster learning in ways that could not have been imagined before the technological revolution. Although technology has brought several challenges, it has broadened the opportunity for students to learn and teachers to teach. Web 2.0 is an example of technology that teachers can utilize in their classrooms to enrich and enhance their students’ learning.  For teachers, collaboration is key. It is critical that teachers share ideas about how to improve their teaching techniques, deal with class management, and handle relational issues amongst all the players in the educational playing field. //Blogging// is one Web 2.0 technology that teachers can use to share ideas with other teachers within their school, community, or the world. Discipline issues in the classroom are always high on the teachers’ list of concerns. Other teachers may have shared similar problems and can suggest possible solutions that worked in their own classrooms. Asking for other professionals for teaching tips is something that is available thru blogging. Or even sharing your professional frustrations can relieve stress as to become better teachers in the classroom. Discretion is suggested, of course! Facebook, Twitter, and other similar Web 2.0 can also serve the same function of enhancing communication with other resources to help produce more competent teachers.  Today’s teachers are also very fortunate in having these tools available to enhance the learning experiences of their students. Web 2.0 technology //Prezi//, for example, can change the way lessons are presented in the classroom. Thru the use of smart boards, teachers can present via Prezi a neat and organized lesson plan that fosters learning efficiently. It has many tools within the program that teachers can utilize. For instance, it allows teacher’s access to other websites and information that can be included in the Prezi and presented to the students. We know that children learn in many different ways and Prezi gives them the opportunity to learn in an individualized fashion. For instance, some kids are visual learners; others are audio learners. This web site allows you to create lessons that can be stimulating in terms of presenting learning cues in the form of graphics i.e. pictures or video presentation with its link to youtube, for example. And the site helps organize teaching presentations in a way that can help teachers reach out to all students with different learning styles. There are many other similar programs such //PreZenit// that teachers can use to “update” the way they instruct in the classroom.  Not only can teachers take advantage of Web 2.0, students also have ways to enhance their learning experience. //BookRix// and //ClassTools// are a few Web 2.0 Technology that is available to students. Writing and reading are key to successful students. Without success in these two areas, the odds of failure in all other subject areas are unfortunately high. Being able to use these tools can make writing and reading “fun” for students. They can create stories and upload images to enhance the interest of their writing. These stories can then be posted online to share with other students; children usually enjoy stories written by their peers. This can spike their interest in reading and writing. In addition, these programs allow the students to comment on other students’ works. They can also receive input on their work and share ideas. Students from across the world can write a story together and share their creativity! The other day, my daughter was commenting on a new story that her friend was currently working on. This really encouraged her friend to keep writing. And she is having a great time sharing her work with others. This technology really helps students to want to read and write; which, for teachers, is half the battle!  Another great source is //Etherpad// and //MeetingWords//. Both are web based word processors. They allow teachers and students to communicate with each other live. Communication is critical in the students’ educational development. These tools allow students to interact with their teachers and other students while they are learning. For instance, the teacher and student can edit a piece of work in the classroom or outside the classroom. Or the teacher and class can edit as a whole. It’s a great tool in which the teacher can constantly be involved in the progress of the student’s work.  //Slide// is another Web 2.0 Technology tool that both teachers and students can utilize to enhance instruction and learning. It allows you to “upload pictures, create effects, and transitions.” For teachers, instructions become more stimulating and exciting for the students to have visual representations of what they are learning. For students, projects and presentations can become more creative and personal with the ability to post pictures or other videos to convey ideas and thoughts. This tool broadens the way students communicate and the teachers have an opportunity to gauge their students’ learning.  In addition to the //Slide//, there are a plethora of other Web2.0 out there for teachers and students to utilize to enhance their instruction and learning. This is indicative of how important technology has become. If teachers and students use it wisely, Web2.0 technology is a highly effective tool in teaching and learning.