Have you ever heard of Wikipedia? Wikipedia is a free online encyclopedia that may be edited by anyone, anywhere. It provides information about a wide range of topics. Some educators deem it unreliable and will not allow students to use it in research. Others, like myself, encourage students to utilize all resources, but to check their facts.
Wikipedia is just one example of a wiki. A wiki is a website that can be created and edited collaboratively using a simple text editor. Students may use wiki software - available at no cost on the Internet - to work with others in their class, another class, another school or even another country to complete a wiki site. Some popular wiki tools are wetpaint, PBworks and Wikispaces. Wetpaint is, by far, my favorite service. It offers several customizable templates and easy to use tools for adding profiles, widgets, and more. Check out our class wiki site here.
Podcasting is a tool that primarily uses speech to communicate information via the web. Most podcasts are simple MP3 recordings, although video podcasts do exist. Podcasting is simple: all you need is a microphone and a computer with Internet access. To listen to some educational podcasts, visit a site like The Education Podcast Network. Podcasts are organized according to topic and it is not difficult to locate one that will suit your interests. Digital Trends provides a handy guide for creating your own podcast.
If you are viewing this page, you may already know a thing or two about blogging. How do we use blogs in education? Students may use blogs for a number of reasons. Students of all ages may use a blog to respond to daily journal prompts. In a literature class, a student may read a novel and respond to a question or a situation from the point of view of a character. Students may keep track of lab activities in science by using a blog. The applications of this technology are endless! There are many free blogging tools available on the web to help you get started.
Web 2.0 has, without a doubt, had an impact on the way we teach and the way our students learn. For more educational web 2.0 tools, explore the links on this page.
