Educational Application for Web 2.0 Tools
Blogs,
Wikis and Social Networks are affordances that can be incorporated in subject
areas among the unique set of learners in many ways, since they facilitate
learning in an interactive and informative setting. Blogs, Wikis and Social Networks are important
Web 2.0 tool, which helps readers to engage in reflection by responding to
posting directly or by blogging.
Blogging
According to Aggan, (2009) a blog is intended for the general public and is an electronic journal entry that is frequently updated. Teachers can use blogs in the classroom. They are good affordances that can facilitate learning by encouraging reflection, critical and analytical thinking, social interaction, free expression and creativity just to name a few. Blogs accommodate discussions, sharing of views and ideas, opinions and allows for open dialogue as it promotes communication and literacy skills. Teacher Blogs can be used to share information, to improve communication between teacher, parents and students, to track students learning and to share experiences. Teachers can also use it to share ideas, experiences teaching methods and techniques and strategies with other teachers, Class Blogs can also be used to share related information like events and assignments and also to communicate with parents. Student Blogs can be used to encourage children to express themselves emotionally, intellectually, to verify misunderstandings during class, group discussions as well as to assists their colleagues.
Wikis
Wikis are online documents that contain collaborative written content which can be edited and modified by anyone with internet access. Wikis can motivate students and provide students with opportunities for independent learning. This gives students a sense of authority as it empowers them to take ownership for their learning. Wikis can also be used to encourage student to engage in interactive activities that will enable them to reflect, review, revise, edit and publish information and ideas. This will allow for building on each other work thus strengthening community. Wikis can also be used to help children to develop their social skills and their critical thinking skills. I can incorporate wiki with my teaching by allowing students to be engaged in group projects which will require them to do research on a particular subject. Through this students will participate collaboratively as wikis will allow teachers to guide them since children will be made to understand that the web is really created by real people.
Social Networks
Social networking enables people to contact each other through the use of ICT. Social networking facilitates learning by allowing students to interact with each other and to share ideas. Through social networking students can discuss issues about topics of interest, by sharing experiences and resources in an effort to promote collaborative learning. Children are all attracted to social networks and can be easily distracted. As teachers, we need to know how to keep students focused on the task. We also need to be extra careful since lots of adult material can sometimes be filtered down. Social networking can also pave the way for students to respect the vast diversity among others, to learn to understand others who may have opinions that may differ from theirs. It also provides a medium for discussion. Through social networks, teacher can post activities that will strengthen and build collaboration among students.
Reference
EDTK2030. Information and communication technology in education. (2013). Unit 4:
Education application of web 2.0 tools. UWI Open Campus.
Blogging
According to Aggan, (2009) a blog is intended for the general public and is an electronic journal entry that is frequently updated. Teachers can use blogs in the classroom. They are good affordances that can facilitate learning by encouraging reflection, critical and analytical thinking, social interaction, free expression and creativity just to name a few. Blogs accommodate discussions, sharing of views and ideas, opinions and allows for open dialogue as it promotes communication and literacy skills. Teacher Blogs can be used to share information, to improve communication between teacher, parents and students, to track students learning and to share experiences. Teachers can also use it to share ideas, experiences teaching methods and techniques and strategies with other teachers, Class Blogs can also be used to share related information like events and assignments and also to communicate with parents. Student Blogs can be used to encourage children to express themselves emotionally, intellectually, to verify misunderstandings during class, group discussions as well as to assists their colleagues.
Wikis
Wikis are online documents that contain collaborative written content which can be edited and modified by anyone with internet access. Wikis can motivate students and provide students with opportunities for independent learning. This gives students a sense of authority as it empowers them to take ownership for their learning. Wikis can also be used to encourage student to engage in interactive activities that will enable them to reflect, review, revise, edit and publish information and ideas. This will allow for building on each other work thus strengthening community. Wikis can also be used to help children to develop their social skills and their critical thinking skills. I can incorporate wiki with my teaching by allowing students to be engaged in group projects which will require them to do research on a particular subject. Through this students will participate collaboratively as wikis will allow teachers to guide them since children will be made to understand that the web is really created by real people.
Social Networks
Social networking enables people to contact each other through the use of ICT. Social networking facilitates learning by allowing students to interact with each other and to share ideas. Through social networking students can discuss issues about topics of interest, by sharing experiences and resources in an effort to promote collaborative learning. Children are all attracted to social networks and can be easily distracted. As teachers, we need to know how to keep students focused on the task. We also need to be extra careful since lots of adult material can sometimes be filtered down. Social networking can also pave the way for students to respect the vast diversity among others, to learn to understand others who may have opinions that may differ from theirs. It also provides a medium for discussion. Through social networks, teacher can post activities that will strengthen and build collaboration among students.
Reference
EDTK2030. Information and communication technology in education. (2013). Unit 4:
Education application of web 2.0 tools. UWI Open Campus.