Web 2.0 Educational Tools
A review of 3 Web 2.0 tools that can be used in the K-12 French classroom setting!
Easelly!
easel.ly
Description:
A site that is extremely useful for sharing and creating visuals such as infographics and thought bubbles. You have the option to work from many pre-customizable templates. Every template has many different forms of text, images, and clip art that can be used to represent your ideas.
How can this be used in education?
This can be extremely applicable to a French classroom where students have to learn vocabulary and sentence structure. Thought bubbles and infographics can help organize information and enable students to create more memorable associations.
How can this tool remove barriers for learners?
Easel.ly enables a student to create a poster without needed the physical materials i.e. paper, glue, markers etc to do so. As a result there is a huge cost-savings involved
Students can also share their work across the internet, so there is greater opportunity for expression.
Students can design their poster using various mutlimedia tools to reflect the type of learners they are.
Terms of use state graphics can be used in commercial purposes and there does not seem to be an age restriction
Bubbl.us is another Web 2.0 Tool
Description:
Ever feel like brainstorming without having to waste paper? Bubbl.us does exactly that! It is an effective way to brainstorm, organize and mind map specific ideas and concepts.
The great thing about bubbl is that is is quick and easy to use. One can sign up and have created a conceptual framework within minutes!
In terms of the French classroom and education in general, a teacher can list a concept in terms of a mind map and have students follow that mind map in order to repeatedly track their learning.
The greatest benefit for bubbl is that the visual format provides an effective tool for learners to build a framework on which they can learn concepts.
A teacher can integrate this into a Powerpoint Presentation or SMARTBoard technology.
This can be a great tool for visual learners that need to see a concept before they can begin to apply it.
There is no age requirement to sign up and use bubbl.us
Voicethread
www.voicethread.com
Description:
Voicethread allows one to create presentations alongside voice and written commentary. It is a collaborative site where many users can create content.
Voicethread gives students a chance to become engaged with the material and their classroom.
Course material and infrastructure can be streamlined alongside this media-enabled platformed
In the classroom, students have the chance to learn using multiple senses, resulting in a greater understanding of content. This multi-modal approach is backed by scientific research.
The tool also reduces barriers to learning as students that prefer oral learning and/or written learning can customize the way they want to express their knowledge.
At the same time, learners can listen or read the material depending on their preference.
Terms of use state one must be 13 years old to create an account.
