Web 2.0 in the Classroom

Web 2.0 is the new Internet. Please read the Wikipedia definition for a clearer understanding of what makes it different and exciting and comment on what you think it means for you as a teacher.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0

Numerous sites were introduced this evening. You will be including at least one of the tools in a lesson plan to email to Mr. Grow within the next two weeks. Please post which one you found the most exciting and useful and which standards it will address.

Kidspiration / Inspiration

Kidspiration (K-3) and Inspiration (4-12) is software used to stimulate both visual and linear thinking.

The power of visual learning deepens understanding of concepts and increases memory retention. It develops organizational skills and taps creativity.

Using Kidspiration/Inspiration to develop lesson plans and to let students develop their thinking and writing skills will transform your lesson plans into active learning rather then passive learning.

By the end of this session, teachers will:

Be proficient using Kidspiration/Inspiration software.

Be able to use various tutorial resources on line to assist in further training on the software.

Be able to navigate through various websites to locate standards based Kidspiration/Inspiration projects for their classrooms.

Complete an activity that involves webbing a current event article.

Create or update a project to use in their classroom prior to our next meeting.

Post a brief reflection on your thoughts about and experiences with active learning. Share your lesson plan topic and standard addressed.

Culminating Task

List your thoughts on advantages and disadvantages of using WebQuest as a teaching tool.

Cyber Citizenship Reflection

Exactly what is CyberCitizenship? Describe the term in detail.

Cyber Ethics Reflection

Why is CyberEthics so important?  Reflect on your work with fair use, copyright, piracy and plagiarism.

Social Networking Reflection

Warning: Some content in the classroom presentation may be offensive to some participants. It is the nature of the beast. You are welcome to comment on it in this blog (but remember, you’re on-line)

How is your school and/or district dealing with My Space and  similar social networking sites?   Are the sites blocked at your school?   Check that.  Are your students forbidden to have accounts on such sites — at home or at school?   Are your students allowed to participate in online social networking, but taught online safety at the same time?   Is teacher use of social networking sites allowed within the district?  Forbidden?

Do you think that a teacher should allow students as friends on their social networking site? Why or why not? What other persons or organizations may be impacted either positively or negatively?

Using Kidspiration or Inspiration list the pros and cons all affected parties might experience by teachers having students as friends.

Post your pros and cons on this blog.

Cyber Bullying Reflection

How significant are the following concerns:

1. How significant is the concern of cyberbullying for you and your students?
2. Could cyberbullying be occurring when students are using school computers?  If it could, when?  If not, why not?
3. Could students post material online that appears to threaten violence?  If they could, when?  If not, why not.  What can you as a teacher do to keep the ‘peace’?

Cyber Safety and Privacy Reflection

“There are many ways young people can lose their privacy on the Internet, and all have their own dangers.  What are some of  the most common mistakes students make when posting their personal information on the web?”

Information Literacy Reflection

Looking at an authentic and a bogus website that you viewed during this exercise, compare the obvious differences between the two, and identify characteristics that define each type of site.

Information Fluency Reflection

1. Which search engine do you prefer? Why?
2. What was the strength of your choice and the weakness of the other?
3. Would you recommend using either or both to a friend?  A colleague?  A student?  Your family?   Why or why not?