Web+2.0


 * Web 2.0 Tools**

1. Prezi a. [|www.prezi.com] b. Prezi is a presentation alternative to PowerPoint. It is a way of conveying/presenting information that is less linear than PowerPoint, and can present the exact same content (i.e. charts, pictures, graphs, etc.) c. I would use this in a classroom primarily as a way to present material that the students needed to know, but I could also use this as a way to maintain the attention of visual learners, particularly those with learning disabilities, such as ADHD. The interface for prezi is quite entertaining, as you can rotate the pictures/bullet points, etc., and it can be colorful and full of videos for those who are visually inclined. Further, it can also be plain and simple for those that may be distracted by too many colors or stimuli of that sort. One can insert audio recordings as well, which can be handy if I have a student that happens to be visually impaired. These files can be saved and imported the same way that PowerPoint can, however, one has to pay for a subscription. Otherwise, if one doesn’t want to pay for the subscription, provided that the classroom as a reliable internet connection, there will be no problem using “prezi” as a primary means of presenting new material to the class. 2. Podcasting a. [|www.mypodcast.com] b. Podcasting is a way to share audio files with the rest of the world. If someone has a computer with an internet connection, one can easily import/download audio files and listen to them wherever/whenever they like. c. I would use podcasting as a way to communicate with my students on a more individual level, particularly through unique circumstances. For example, if a student was absent for a long period of time, (i.e. sick, on an extended vacation, having family troubles, etc.) I would send that student podcasts of lessons in summary regarding what we learned. I may also supplement that with word documents, and perhaps even a tool like “photoface” so that the student could be exposed to a variety of types of learning techniques, especially if the student wasn’t primarily an auditory learner. 3. Second Life a. [|www.secondlife.com] b. Second Life is a social networking website. In it, one can share all types of communication and information. One can send emails, share audio/video files, and communicate in a chat service as well. c. I would use Second Life as a way to communicate with my colleagues. If I’m having trouble with a certain lesson, I would attempt to establish communication with colleagues that may be able to help me with whatever I happen to be struggling with. This can be a great help because I may not even have to communicate with teachers/colleagues that are in the same building, state, or even country that I happen to be in. In short, Second Life would help to facilitate more frequent, helpful communication between other teachers and myself to better help one another, and in turn, help students learn more effectively. 4. Blogger a. [|www.blogger.com] b. Blogger.com is a website that can be shared amongst personal friends and family, and on it one can record one’s thoughts similar to the way one may keep a journal. One can upload text documents, create their own text documents, upload photos/videos/audio files, etc. c. This would be a very useful tool, as not only could I keep one as a means for personal growth, but I could have my students keep one as well. In it, they can record their thoughts on an assignment, task, field trip etc. If I had access to their blogs, I could figure out what was working in my class and what wasn’t in a variety of content areas. I think this would help build a better relationship between the parents as well, as not all of my students’ parents may have unlimited time with which to be involved in their respective child’s classroom. 5. Odiogo a. [|www.odiogo.com] b. Odiogo is a website that can convert all kinds of text files to a more accessible, audio format. c. This tool would be particularly useful for students who happen to be in need of additional help regarding auditory learning, or are visually impaired. This is a tool that would allow me to upload text files (i.e. worksheets, homework assignments, etc.) and convert them into an mp3 format. Almost every student has access to some type of mp3 player these days, and if a student had a hard time reading, or for whatever reason couldn’t read, I would use odiogo to help them get the information they needed. This program would also help students who may need the information that they happen to be struggling with presented to them in a different way. If one happens to be an auditory learner, then listening to assignments in an easy to follow “lecture” type format can actually be quite beneficial. In summary, I think that this would be one of the most useful tools because it allows students to have access to the same material, but in a variety of ways/formats, so that they can better find the way to learn the material that works best for them.