New Tools
"While most traditional Web pages simply display information, most Web 2.0 pages offer tools and services."
~Web 2.0, New Tools, New Schools by G. Solomon & L. Schrum (2007)
The Web is changing. If we do not realize that fact by now, then we have much more research to do before we venture on fantasizing about the future of America's education system and technology in the classroom. Solomon and Schrum remind us that today, we no longer have to working independently online but can collaborate with free open source tools. "People control the tools of production and publication and use them to collaborate. They can add to or change others' work online" (Solomon & Schrum, 2007).
"The greatest advantage is that these are collaborative tools that allow people to work together simultaneously from any location."
~Web 2.0, New Tools, New Schools by G. Solomon & L. Schrum (2007)
It is a fact that our world's companies are doing business very differently. Meetings can take place with partners from different corners of the globe, in their own office or home oceans apart. "Companies can run their businesses online, which means that workers can be anywhere and communicate, collaborate, and be as productive as if they were located in one physical location" (Solomon & Schrum, 2007). It has pointed out by many that our American children will need to become more advanced in the classroom with real world practice and technology experience to be competitive in the global workforce. The fact is that if we do not raise the standards of our education system and the expectations we (teachers) have for our students, we will not succeed with this task. Solomon and Schrum (2007) reflect this fact by stating, "This is the world our students will work in, and the implications for school administrators, teachers, students, and parents are significant."
For administrators: Districts may be able to reduce building costs and help students to benefit from learning remotely by offering students virtual learning options.
For teachers: They can set high standards and require high-quality work, monitor performance at any time, and require that students keep online portfolios when excellence rather than completion is the standard."
For students: Because the world that today's student will work in relies on technology, they will have to use it well or risk being left behind countries with more tech-savvy workers."
For parents: parents can access student work when they have time to see what their children are doing and how well they are performing.
(Solomon & Schrum, 2007)
From the Web to Web 2.0
Bryan Alexander (2006) director for research at the National Institute for Technology and Liberal Education (NITLE) stated: "Blogs are about posts, not pages. Wikis are streams of conversation, revision, amendment, and truncation. Podcasts are shuttled among Web sites, RSS feeds, and diverse players." (Solomon & Schrum, 2007)
****The following is a list of Web 2.0 tools that are introduce in Web 2.0, New Tools, New Schools. Each example will link to their website.
Basic Web 2.0 Tools: Blogs, Podcasts, and Wikis
Blogs:
"Blogs promote open dialogue and encourage community building in which both the bloggers and commenters exchange opinions, ideas, and attitudes" (Solomon & Schrum, 2007).The implications for students:
- writing about issues and thus improving writing skills
- learning from each other
- thinking through topics thoroughly enough to offer an opinion or add information
- peer editing
- finding a community of other interested in the same topic
- becoming confident in sharing what they know
WordPress
Drupal
Class Blogmeister
Gaggle Blogs
Podcasts:
"Podcasting is a way to distribute multimedia files such as music or speech over the Internet for playback on mobile devices or personal computers" (Solomon & Schrum, 2007).Implications for education:
- ability to replay the audio of traditional delivered information to review or catch up
- creation of podcasts as way of sharing expertise and opinions
- can be used to keep notes
- reflect on the day's lessons
- keep track of project activities as they work
Wikis:
"A wiki allows readers to collaborate with other in writing it and adding, editing, and changing the Web page's contents at any time" (Solomon & Schrum, 2007).Implications for education:
- students read existing wikis on topics of interest
- group collaboration and problem solving
- peer editing during the writing process
- electronic portfolios
- students can work from anywhere
- wikis keep track of changes
Wikispaces
MediaWiki
Peanut Butter Wiki (Pbwiki)
JotSpot
Other Popular Web 2.0 Tools
Social Bookmarking:
"Using online bookmarking sites means that favorites are available from any computer at any time" (Solomon & Schrum, 2007).del.icio.us
Backflip
Furl
Photo Sharing:
FlickrPhoto Editing:
Google's PicasaApple's iPhoto
Microsoft's Photo Story
GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)
Video Showcasing:
The implication for education:- creation of thoughtful and meaningful video clips
- professional products
- commands an audience
- easy to create
- easy to edit effective presentations
Video Furnace
Jumpcut
Eyespot
Grouper
VideoEgg
Web 2.0 Versions of Desktop Tools
Word Processing:
With these social writing tools:
- share documents
- collaborate in real time or asynchronously
- edit documents
- store work on desktops or securely online.
Spreadsheets:
Presentations:
Zoho Show
Zoho Show
Web 2.0 Management Tools
Search Engines:
Electronic Portfolios (ePortfolios):
Content Management:
Calendars:
Other Web 2.0 Tools for Education
Mapping:
3D Modeling:
Social Networking:
Organizing Web Info:
Surveys and Polls:
Drawing:
Mashups:
"Mashup sites mix and match content from two or more sites to create something entirely new" (Solomon & Schrum, 2007).
More New Tools
Instant Messaging (free tools offered by Yahoo and Google)
Internet Telephony (VoIP): Skype & Women of Web 2.0
Educational Software
"Hewlett Foundation is an open Educational Resources for teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license that permits their free user or re-purposing by others" (Solomon & Schrum, 2007).
"Funded by Sun Microsystems, is developing an open-source repository for educational content to include tools, materials, and curriculum" (Solomon & Schrum, 2007).
Open-Source Educational Software
Mathematics:
Science:
National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for Teachers
All classroom teachers should be prepared to meet the following standards and performance indicators.
2. Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences
Teachers plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology. Teachers:
3. identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability.
4. Assessment and Evaluation
Teachers apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies. Teachers:
2. use technology resources to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings to improve instructional practice and maximize student learning.
5. Productivity and Professional Practice
Teachers use technology to enhance their productivity and professional practice. Teachers:
4. use technology to communicate and collaborate with peers, parents, and the larger community in order to nurture student learning.
Citations
Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0, new tools, new schools. Eugene, OR: Intl Society for Technology in educ.
