What is web 2.0?
Web 2.0 is the term for advanced Internet technology and applications. It encompasses applications such as blogs, wikis, and social networking tools.
What are some web 2.0 tools we already utilize?
There are several Web 2.0 tools that we utilize on a regular basis at PHHS. Here is a short list for you, including links to the sites and other tutorials you might find useful.
Wordle
Wordle is a way to create a "word cloud" that can be utilized in various facets. Teachers can do a Wordle brainstorm with students to activate prior knowledge on a theme such as the U.S. Constitution or a thematic unit such as food in a language course. Students might create a Wordle as an assessment piece, indicating the key attributes of a U.S. President, etc. The possibilities are limitless!
Storybird
Storybird is an interactive way for students to share stories by using other students' art. Students can choose the art they desire and "unlock" the story from the graphics they choose, or they can choose appropriate graphics based on a story previously constructed. I have seen storybird implemented in history courses and in the world language classroom. The creativity is truly amazing.
Wikispaces
Wikispaces is an amazing tool that can truly connect students to your content in the secondary classroom. It is essentially a virtual campus that multiple students/authors can contribute to in order to make a live website based on your current curriculum. In essence, it is a place to share text, graphics, links, videos and media in a simplistic manner that multiple students can access at once. I've seen it utilized at the beginning of a unit in a more exploratory activity, and then revisited as a summative assessment of student knowledge once students had completed the unit officially. The collaboration is impressive, and harbors those key communication skills in students we are looking for as we transition towards ACCS.
Ted Ed
Ted Ed is an amazing website where you can find a huge video library stacked with educational videos and webinars designed to spark student enthusiasm and interest in various educational topics. Teachers can easily create a customizable lesson from the selection of videos organized by content area.