Blog Post #5

Web 2.0

Web 2.o technologies are a non-optional support system for teachers to use to further learning in the classroom.  YouTube is an awesome wed 2.0 tool I would use in my class.  You can share and find important information through the use of YouTube videos.  It is important to cater to all learning styles, so as a teacher giving some information through videos for students who are visual and audio learners is key.  

Blogs are a 2.0 tool that I used to not like for classroom use, but since taking this class see the usefulness.  They give students a chance to share their opinions and information they find interesting in a fun and unique environment.  Students can also get information for the class through looking at a teacher’s blog.  You can effectively use these tools without any specific tools.  Basic internet enabled devices like computers, smart phones, tablets, etc. will be perfectly capable of accessing YouTube and blogs.    

Network equipment necessary includes a WiFi network and server.  Blogging can be done on a simple computer, but making YouTube videos might require the periphery equipment of microphones.   Both require a smart board or projector (would be sufficient) for sharing student’s projects/work with their fellow classmates (Lever-Duffy 124).  If the device does not have enough storage they may also require a hard disk to save date(Lever- Duffy 98). 

For Web 2.0 tools, I do not like using public social media in the classroom like Twitter.  Student safety is my number one concern and I feel like those sights will expose students to too much.  A safer alternative like Edmodo could suffice.  

Web 2.0 Technology Review

I am reviewing a Web 2.0 technology called Scribd.  When deciding what technology to review I was really drawn to Scribd.  Emphasizing the importance of reading and individualizing help for students reading has always been important to me.   Scribd is a digital library that is cheaper than having to buy paper books.  Scribd makes students access to assigned reading and fun reading easy.  Students can also use scribd for research.  

Students can make a library of books they are reading or have enjoyed reading.  They can even use and app on a phone so that reading can be done on the go.  Scribd gives students access to audiobooks, e-books, comics, and PDFs.  I have grown up really attached to listening to audio books because as a dyslexic, listening to a book while reading along is supposed to be very helpful in overcoming the problem.  By providing audiobooks, Scribd allows students with learning disabilities and auditory learners to have access to help and solid learning material.  

Tentative Concept Map

At first I did not like this concept mapping tool.  It was moving really slowly and shutting down a lot.   I still had technical issues with it, but found creating a concept map very fun.  I created the top half of my concept map and think it looks really pretty.  My partner and I are still tweaking some things, but I find the color coating and labeling very useful.  I also liked that I was able to find pictured of the leader of the Allies and the Central Powers on the mapping tool.  I actually feel like I would make these and use them as a teacher to share information with my students and make study guides.  There are so many ways you could use these maps in a classroom.  It’s cool that something I so adamantly did not like at first has turned into a tool that I would really use.  Hopefully next time it won’t work slowly.  It would also be cool if more than one person could work on a map at once.  Every time my partner was on there it would not let me work.  I really appreciate how pretty and color coated the map part I created is.  It just looks so pleasing.