My Favorite Web2.0 tools

Web2.o is an online environment that can perform like an application. Since it is online there is no software to download and any web2.0 apps can be used from any computer.

As an educator using web2.0 tools can make life easier. When using online apps, you never have to worry about not having a document or presentation with you, they're on the web whenever you need them. Having online apps also eliminates compatibility problems.

Two of the web2.0 apps I found particularly interesting are:

• Delicious.com
  

This site allows you to create bookmarks. It can be done as an add on to some browsers and it is a web 2.0 program. Often I go somewhere and want to access a site that I may have bookmarked but can't remember what the site was. With delicious.com your bookmarks are wherever you go.

Using bookmarks in a classroom reduces the time it would take to find web pages and allows a teacher to have multiple sites lined up that they can run through without having to write down or memorize the urls. Writing urls and then trying to type them back is often troublesome because urls have to be exact. This can sidetrack a class and make the teacher look silly. Delicious eliminates this problem.

• Googledocs

This site allows you to create and host all different types of docs such as word, presentations, and spreadsheets. When using this program you do not have to worry about compatibility between computers or if other computers have the proper program to open your document.

This is especially useful for teachers who use presentations during class. When you need it, it's there. If a class is faster then expected you can move on to new material because you have all your docs with you during every class period.

OTEN Alternate Activity

Lesson Plan



Disscussion

Blogabilities

• Blogging allows a teacher to publish articles, assignments, and videos using the quick and easy to learn format of the blog.
• Blogs can inform students when their is a change.
  
• A blog may be easier for a teacher to create and manage then a website.
• Blogging can be used as a tool to keep up on current events and talk about them.

When articles or videos are posted on a blog, a class can view the information and then have an informal discussion by posting comments. The comments inspire thought and give students a chance to see how their peers feel about an issue. It can also give a teacher a feeling for how well students know a topic depending on how in depth their comments are.