Tech. Tuesday- Oct. 30

A few weeks back, one of our colleagues suggested that there might be some confusion amongst our staff as to what is meant by "Web 2.0 Application."  Fair enough....Web 2.0 applications differ from websites that just have users "passively consume" what is found on the pages.  Web 2.0 applications are web-based tools that allow users to interact with, contribute to and produce with the functions on the site.  This would include any social networking tool (Facebook, MySpace, Glogster, Ning, etc.), blog, wiki, RSS Readers, cloud networking hub, etc (Google Docs, Blogger, Wikispaces, Wikipedia, Drop Box, iCloud).  It also includes sites that enable users to create something new such as:  Wordle, Bitstrips, Jing, Voice Thread, Prezzi, Poll Anywhere, etc.).  These are examples of technologies that our alumni told us that they really need to be familiar with when they were polled two years ago.

Here is a cute (student-created) video that tries to explain Web 2.0.


This week's Tech. Tuesday post is dedicated to suggestions for Web 2.0 tools that you might be able to use in your classes- all free of charge.  Check them out:

Any Subject Area:  

Devolver Moviemaker:  Enables users to create animated movies using their characters, backgrounds, etc.  Moves can then be emailed to friends with a URL code or embedded into websites, blogs, social networking sites, etc.  Movies can be created in 6 steps. 
Application ideas:

• Students demonstrate their understanding of a new concept
• Students demonstrate their understanding of the plot of a novel
• Students demonstrate their ability to use a second language in a social context
• Students create scenarios that demonstrate their mastery of key vocabulary
• Students retell a lesson in their own words  

To get started with your first video, go to:  http://www.dvolver.com/moviemaker/make.html
   

Wordle:  Using this simple application, teachers or students can create textual graphic representations of concepts, content or pretty much anything.   To create a Wordle, from the website (http://www.wordle.net/) click Create.  Type words or paste in text from any document or website.  Frequently occurring words will appear much larger than words used only once or less frequently. Then use the edit tools: Language, Font, Layout, Color- to get the design to appear the way you want it.  Then you can save it to the public gallery on their site (if you want to access it again sometime or to obtain an embed code), print it or take a screen shot of it if you want to use it electronically in another location.  See the sample that I created below.

Application ideas:

• Students can generate Wordles in order to share personal information for ice-breakers
• Teacher create word clouds that include text relevant to new content or units and have students make predictions about what they will be studying
• Students create Wordles to illustrate key points to content being studied
• Students create Wordles to demonstrate understanding of parts of speech or other grammar topics 
• Students generate Wordles using the text from famous speeches and then analyze the words used
• Students generate Wordles using the text from historical document and then analyze themes

Glogster:  With Glogster,  users can create multi-media posters that can include text, images, and video.  Individuals can set up accounts or teachers can set up class accounts where he/she can see all of their students' glogs.  Once the account is created and your profile is set up, you can create a glog.  From the dashboard, you can change the background, add graphics, add music and videos, and create text.  Photos and videos can be uploaded from your own files or you can create links to the web.  Each graphic, video, or text can also be edited by clicking on it. They can be rotated, resized, and moved- or the font and color can be changed. You can also create hyperlinks with the graphics.  Completed Glogs can be save to the online account.  Users can also get embed information so that they can be used on webpages, in blogs or in Wikis.  They can also be emailed. Here is a sample Glog:    Application ideas:

• Students create Glogs as book reports or to represent novels being studied in class
• Teachers use a Glog instead of Powerpoint for class lessons or presentations
• Teachers use a Glog as a webquest
• Students create Glogs to represent specific time periods or social movements
• Students create Glogs to illustrate lab results
• Students create Glogs to demonstrate math formulas or problem solving
• Students create Glogs to represent new vocabularies

ESL Video:  With ESL Video, teachers can create web-based interactive quizzes based on online videos. Quizzes can employ a variety of multiple choice type questions. Once the teacher has crated the  quiz they can send students a link to it on the ESL Video site or they can embed the quiz into a  blog, course management system, etc. To use ESL Video, sign up, search for videos or pre-made quizzes.  You can also make your own quizzes by embedding the code for the video you want to use and then write the questions/answers.  After students take their quiz, they can send you their results electronically.  Here is a sample Video/Quiz:  To check out ESL Video, go to:  http://www.eslvideo.com/ Application ideas:

• Teacher creates video-based homework for students- works well for the Flipped Classroom model
• Teachers use videos to introduce new technologies or applications to students prior to requiring their use
• Teachers use quizzes to determine prior knowledge of a new subject matter

Web 2.0 Tools for Sciences:
 

My Experiment:  This Virtual Research Environment is a social networking site for scientists where users share data, research and workflows.  Check out this video description:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x83pzMMw7lk          

My Physics Lab:  This application provides interactive physics simulations.    Students can use this to see models of physical systems or solving physics equations. http://www.myphysicslab.com/           

Web 2.0 Tools for Math:          

FooPlot:  This is an online graphing calculator:  http://fooplot.com          

Geogebra:  Geogebra is an interactive site that employs algebra, geometry and calculus concepts. From their own description, with Geogebra,  "Students can select a point, line, vector, segment, circle, polygon or other feature and directly place their selection on the plane. From there the student may manipulate key attributes of their selection, such as the location of the point or the radius of the circle. The user may also enter his or her desired selection algebraically with a command, allowing for more complex equations and advanced functions, such as finding the derivative and integral. " For an article about using Geogebra in the classroom, go to: http://mathsclass.net/comments/using-geogebra/ 

To use Geogebra, go to:  http://www.geogebra.org/cms/              

Web 2.0 Tools for English:        

Penzu:  Penzu is a simple-to-use online journal.  Users can create using text and images that are positioned in the margin of the virtual notebook page.  Journal entries can be printed or emailed to the teacher.  https://penzu.com/home

Here is a brief explanation:  

Application Ideas:  

• Students use Penzu to maintain an online reflection journal
• Students use Penzu to create annotated writing assignments