Back to School with the Class of Web 2.0
These three sites are the writings and findings of a web designer/programmer, Brian Benzinger. These sites are parts of a three part article that he has written, Part one looks at tools, part two looks at office applications and part three deals with real cases of the use of web 2.0 in classrooms around the world. This is an invaluable tool because the author, Brian Benzinger has tried and tested all the links/applications he recommends in his article. He has also highlighted personal favourites, this is important because teachers need to know if the applications they may be looking to use in their own class have worked for others, if they are recommended, they may be more willing to use the same technique in the future.
Part one categorises the different parts of web 2.0 into groups such as media sharing, learning and research and For teachers. These sub categories set out the liks nicely, making it easy for teachers to look through the links that may only apply to them. It also looks at a load of resources/applications for students that teachers should be aware of.
Part two deals mainly with office applications and comparing the different applications such as word processor applications and spreadsheets etc. with each other. This is a new dimension to programs that we take for granted such as Word. It offers office applications that are entirely created on the internet, an integral part of Web 2.0.
Part three looks at experiences with the different applications/tools that form part of Web 2.0 and their use in Education. What he has noticed with the use of Educational blogging, Photosharing with programs such as flickr, podcasting, Wikis and video sharing.
All three parts are important from a teacher’s point of view because they allow us to gain an insight into how we may use these programs, the pros and cons of each of them and perhaps how they can be improved. This article also allows for comments to be made/read by other viewers, bringing about the idea of social networking/learning off each other.
