Web 2.0 Tool Evaluation

Web 2.0

An evaluation of three tools used during EDU 210 to help further professional development.

Pinterest is a free, social media tool that allows the sharing of websites, images, videos with the click of a button.  To do this users simply have to "pin it" and it appears on the users board which can then be shared publicly or privately and repinned on other users' boards.  Pinterest although not designed for education has some definite uses.  For example, in EDU 210 at the University of Alberta, students including myself were asked to design an Pinterest board that related to cyberbulling.  With a few internet searches and a bit of research I had created a collection of resources all pertaining to cyberbullying.  Videos of individual stories,  resources to get help if you were getting bullied, resources for teachers to prevent this, help line phone numbers, the possibilites were endless.  With this in mind Pinterest is a great tool to organize and collect resources pertaining to a specific subject that allows students to access at any time.  Pinterest, almost entirely visual, breaks down a barrier for visual learners who need images or videos to help enforce learning.  Pinterest would only work however if students are above the age of 13 as that's the required age according to Pinterest's TOS.

Pinterest can be found here: https://www.pinterest.com/

Edmodo is a social networking tool designed with educators in mind.  In Edmodo, users can register as a student or a teacher and have features designed around that.  I registered as a teacher which provided numerous features that could be beneficial in education.  Teachers can set assignments, due dates, connect with students who need academic help, create a calendar with important dates on it.  By having all these resources in one place it eliminates clutter and the potential to lose certain materials as well as helping procrastinators such as myself complete assignments by having a constant reminder to due work through annoucements.  Edmodo would not work for children in elementary school as the required age to sign up is 13 years old.

Edmodo can be found here: https://www.edmodo.com/

Haiku is an LMS designed to bring forth a component of blended learning to the classroom.  In Haiku, teachers can assign homework, create announcements, and compile resources for any given subject.  For my Haiku LMS I created a "faux" biology classroom in which I could compile OERs to help further understanding of a particular subject.  Having an LMS in place helps break down some learning restraints by allowing an assortment of resources to be posted which can be catered for any student.  This however could also further impede some learning as not everyone could access the LMS so as an educator, alternatives must be in place.  The required age to create a haiku account is 13 years old.

Haiku can be found here:https://www.myhaikuclass.com/do/account/login