Teaching and Learning With web 2.0 Tools

Over the course of this class I have learned several new things about teaching and learning with Web 2.0 tools.  While exploring various tools encountered through personal experimentation and tools suggested by others, I have found that there are a number of advantages associated with using Web 2.0 in education such as: providing interactive learning, enables collaboration with peers, promotes and fosters creativity, builds critical thinking skills, allows for students to reflect on their learning, ability to be shared, and many technologies have simple steps to follow to begin using them.

I have found that the major strength in using Web 2.0 tools is the ease of access.  Many, if not all, tools are available through cloud-based or web-based platforms, which allows for them to be used anywhere there is Internet access.  This means that students and teachers have the ability to utilize the tools at school or away from school.  Along with accessibility, most of the tools are free and provide several features when using the free versions.  This can be particularly beneficial for a "flipped" classroom, in which the lesson is recorded and shared with students.  Students have the capability of pausing a lesson in order to take notes or draw a model, answer comprehension questions to check for understanding, and share the information with parents or peers.Web 2.0 tools can also be used as center activities to reinforce or reteach content, during small group instruction for students who are not currently working in the small group. or as an exit ticket when completing a lesson.

Some of the Web 2.0 tools we explored included Twitter, YouTube, Aggregated Pages, and Social Bookmarking with Diigo.  I was unaware of the way in which Twitter can be used professionally to connect with individuals or organizations that share common goals and interest. YouTube is a great way to share lessons that students can replay, or pause. Aggregated pages and Social Bookmarking can be useful when conducting research using multiple links.  Social Bookmarking can also be used to provide "bookmarks" for resources within a given content area or subject.

Future tools will need to continue to evolve to meet the demands of our growing digital population. When we compare current technology today with that of the past, we see that devices have gotten smaller, faster, and capable of performing several different tasks simultaneously.

As students use more and more Web 2.0 tools they will expand their own digital footprint.  Some of the pitfalls of Web 2.0 tools could be in ensuring student safety and student privacy.  Another challenge may be in creating meaningful assignments.  Thus, it is imperative for educators to continue to learn about the uses and function of different web 2.0 tools.  There must be adequate professional development to ensure a smooth and thorough implementation.

Vanity Search- A Second Look

When this course began, we were asked to look for evidence of our digital footprint.  Initially, I found that my digital footprint was very limited and only relative to my web page for my school district and blogs or presentations that I created in recent classes for my graduate coursework.  I also found that there is a lot of private information that is made public without my consent, out on the "world wide web".

Having had the opportunity to explore new Web 2.0 tools and engage in using them, I can say that my digital footprint is changing and expanding.  I now have a YouTube channel and one video of my review of Seesaw, a Web 2.0 tool that allows students and teachers to create digital journals/portfolios.  I view Twitter more as a resource tool, in which I can connect with specific groups that have my same interests to gather ideas for my profession.  Having access to social bookmarking tools and aggregated pages, I can easily organize all of the social media or websites that I use frequently into one place.

As my digital footprint continues to expand, I must be aware of the information I send and receive.  I must ensure that information is viable to my profession and personal well-being.  As my students began using Web 2.0 tools more, I want to caution them to be aware of their digital footprint and how it can shape other's perspective of who they are.  There should always be a clear focus and objective for using a tool.  Once information is placed on the web, it stays there.