Web+2.0

The Web 2.0 essay was written to respond to the question of, What is Web 2.0, and how does it affect you as a future teacher? To answer this question knowledgeably, I researched various websites and WikiSpaces designed specifically for use in, and in conjunction with, the classroom. I looked further into five tools in particular: PreZentit, Haiku LMS, Vuvox, Webspiration, and What2Learn. In discovering these tools and exploring the many ways in which they can be used, I not only gained a better understanding of the tools that are available, but also of how I might personally use them in the classroom when I become a teacher. These five especially stood out to me as tools that I can certainly see myself using, specifically as collaborative tools (both as student-student and student-teacher), presentation programs, and organizational instruments. --- I must say, if I am perfectly honest, that the idea of education veering toward becoming entirely virtual truly scares me. Though I have been using computers since about the age of four, I am also a bit of a traditionalist, and I like some things to be preserved, if for no other reason than simply for the sake of convention. At the same time, however, I cannot ignore the growing prevalence of technology in the classroom, nor can I deny that it often enhances and facilitates learning, both for student and teacher. Further, the world of Web 2.0 is a tremendous tool to have access to, as it allows more freedom, collaboration, and participation than anything thus far. Personally, I remember the days of read-only Web 1.0; really, it wasn’t all that long ago – though in this day and age, technology becomes outdated and is improved upon so quickly that even a couple of years seems like an eternity ago. As a generation, we are so extremely exposed to the rapidly changing technological environment that we are, in some ways, jaded to the notion of real advancement; therefore, change does not strike us as heavily as it once did. The thought of being able to create something out of essentially nothing, such as a web page or a wiki, is tremendous – yet, for the most part, young people do not see it that way. It’s taken for granted, viewed as something that seems obvious and intrinsic to the electronic world. But if one were to take a step back, survey what exactly it is that we are capable of doing, and really allow the weight of it to sink in, that unsympathetic cloud may begin to dissolve just a bit. From an educational standpoint, again, I am hesitant to fully embrace technology in and outside of the classroom, mostly for fear of losing what I consider to be the valuable traits of “traditional” teaching. However, Web 2.0 and all that it brings with it can create opportunities and learning environments previously unimaginable. As a future teacher, I am – though still a bit reluctant – very excited to gain an understanding of the tools available to myself and my future students, and I am especially looking forward to using those tools to enhance my ability as a teacher, and to enhance my students’ experiences. In reading through the many, many tools discussed on CoolToolsforSchool, I found myself growing more and more eager to explore and experiment. I am not yet a proponent of schooling that is done entirely online, particularly for K-12 students, but I certainly am beginning to see more and more how the collaborative and interactive programs can aid learning. Five tools in particular that I earmarked – both because they seemed truly innovative, and because I can genuinely see myself using them in the future – were PreZentit, Haiku LMS, Vuvox, Webspiration, and What2Learn. Again, each of these stood out to me as inventive and exciting; but more so, every one of them is a tool I would readily use in my own teaching practice. They each fell under a different category, as classified by the creator(s) of CoolTools, and thus each offers a different service, and a unique way in which I could apply it. PreZentit is a presentation tool, used to create slideshows, videos, etc. Presentation is obviously a large part of teaching, and having a fun, creative visual to correspond with the lesson being taught is a key part of engaging students, and keeping them interested. However, what I liked about PreZentit was that it is not only a useful tool for teachers, but it is also available to students for use in their projects and assignments. I am not necessarily a huge advocate for assigning multiple group projects, but I do believe that at least one a semester/school year is a good idea; working in groups can help students to gain a broader perspective on whatever it may be that they are studying. (Also, it makes the presentation aspect a great deal less scary!) Perhaps my favorite thing about PreZentit is that it is a collaborative program, allowing students to work on a project together, simultaneously, from various locations – no more crowding around a single computer to put together a slideshow! I also love that feature because it encourages students to work on projects outside of school, and do so with greater ease. Furthermore, it allows for the presentation to be downloaded and therefore shown without an Internet connection, as well as the capability of being embedded in a web page, blog, wiki, or other such location. I would absolutely use a program such as this – if not this very one – when assigning presentations of any sort, but particularly for group projects/presentations. In the Collaborative Tools section, I found Haiku LMS, an online cooperative program that performs a number of functions. It allows the teacher to create collaborative activities and assignments online, and is obviously a place where students go to participate in and complete those activities and assignments. It is helpful for the students because it is an online learning center, where they can work, ask questions, and get immediate feedback from their teacher; and though I don’t know that I would necessarily use such a tool in the classroom, it seems like a wonderful place to post extra activities, as well as possibly homework assignments; therefore, students are able to connect with me and receive help individually – something many students are unfortunately afraid to seek (due to shyness, fear of embarrassment, etc.) in a live classroom setting. As well as all of that, Haiku LMS is very helpful for teachers, as it has automatic-grade capabilities, can keep track of grades and progress, can be used to create lesson plans, and overall offers a comfortable, easy-to-use virtual classroom experience. Again, I could very easily see myself using such a website to post assignments, extra help, additional tools, etc. Vuvox, a tool found under the heading Video Tools, is exactly that – but with many more features than simply searching for and playing videos. Vuvox has the capability to customize photos and videos, add text and/or music to the presentation, and many other such functions. A technological tool I would actually use within the classroom, Vuvox allows the teacher to bring a bit of excitement and interest to the lesson – necessary components to keeping students engaged. As well as being able to use the program for my own presentations and lectures, the easy-to-use tool could prove to be very helpful for students in doing research, creating presentations or assignments, etc. Additionally, once videos or other media projects have been completed, the project can be shared, interacted with, and published to any web page. Another tool I could certainly visualize myself using inside, as well as outside, the classroom is Webspiration. Classified as an organizational tool, it creates a collaborative atmosphere in which items such as documents, outlines, and diagrams – to name a few – can be created and worked on by multiple users simultaneously. Beyond that, once the item is completed, users are able to publish to the Webspiration site, embed in their own page/blog/wiki, and other similar options. Again, this tool would be wonderful to use in the classroom, particularly in small-group or even whole-class discussions. Rather than stand in the front of the class, writing everything down on a whiteboard – which can be difficult to see, not to mention incredibly boring – this type of tool would allow the entire class, teacher included, to be viewing and working on the same thing, all while having it right in front of them on a monitor. That, in my opinion, encourages both engagement and participation, one of the struggles any and every teacher faces at some time or another. Also, this would be a useful tool beyond the classroom; it opens the door to outside-of-school class discussions and meetings, providing extra opportunities for students to learn and understand. The tool I actually find myself most excited about is called What2Learn. It is a website that offers learning opportunities through games, of which thousands are available in every subject imaginable. Even better, teachers themselves have access to a game generator, which allows them to create games focused specifically on what they are currently teaching, as well as the possibility to work on any issues the class as a whole may be having with grasping the material. Of course, it offers score- and progress-tracking tools, so that the teacher can see each student’s progress individually as well as the overall class advancement. Also, there are resources galore available to both teachers and students, meant to make the entire experience better and more effective for everyone. I think the reason I love it so much, however, is that it is a wonderful way for students of all levels to practice; students who are struggling, or even those who may have a learning or developmental disability, have the opportunity, through an enjoyable game-like experience, to get extra practice, so as to better grasp the material being taught. At the same time, students who seem to be having an easier time with the material also have the opportunity to further advance themselves through the games and tools provided; truly, students of all abilities and placements could benefit. After learning about some of these tools available to teachers and students, I must admit that I am noticeably more open to technology in the classroom. Granted, I was never exactly against it; but, as I’ve said before, I fear for the legacy of the “old-school” teaching methods that I grew up with and loved. However, there is certainly no doubt that the right forms of technology, when used with appropriateness, respect, and intelligence, can truly enhance the teaching and learning experience in ways previously unimaginable. In that respect, Web 2.0 opens an infinite number of doors: with the ability to collaborate together and work in a read-and-write online environment, there are no restrictions to where education can go.

- Elizabeth Croswhite, 2/13/2012