Web 2.0 Tools
Applicable Tools for Secondary Students in the Sciences
https://twitter.com/
Twitter is a Web 2.0 tool that enables users to share short messages in real-time and read other real-time messages from other Twitter users.
Twitter is a great question forum for teachers from students. For example, you could set up an account labelled, "Social Sciences 10" and students can tweet questions to the account. The teacher can answer the questions via Twitter, or address them in class.
Depending on your school's policies on procedure, Twitter is also a great tool for in class as well. During a work period, students can tweet questions to the teacher instead of getting up. This allows students to maintain anonymity and eliminates the distraction of students getting up to ask questions.
Twitter is also a great way to convey interesting information to students. Maybe on your Social Sciences 9 account, you tweet news that is relevant to the course. This may peak students' interest in the content.
Twitter is a great resource for education because it allows students to connect with their teachers and peers in a casual environment. Many students may feel uncomfortable in the classroom setting, which prevents them from asking questions. Twitter can be anonymous, and allows students to ask questions from the comfort of their own homes.
There is no minimum age for Twitter users.
Skype
http://www.skype.com/en/
Skype is a Web 2.0 tool that allows users to video chat with other users.
Skype is a great tool for teachers so that they may video chat with anyone that is not physicall availability including experts, teachers, other students, etc. This allows students and teachers to connect with people that were previously impossible to connect with.
Skype is a great tool for students who need examples to apply content to the real world. For example, a religion class could be exploring Buddhism. If students could video chat with a buddhist, they could observe the mannerisms, attire, and traditions from someone who practices. The content is supported by this person.
Students are also not required to physically meet whomever they are video chatting with, which removes the barrier of social anxiety.
You must be the age of majority, which in Canada is 18, in order to sign up without the consent of an adult.
Prezi
https://prezi.com/
Prezi is a Web 2.0 tool that allows users to create presentations or stories on a digital canvas.
Prezi is a great alternative to PowerPoint or posters. It is a great tool for students to summarize what they have learned, in a fun and creative way.
Prezi is a fun way for students to create rapports. The animations allow for personalization, that require quite a bit more effort in other mediums. It is great for students who feel bored with traditional assignments.
Prezi is also great for students who do not like presenting in front of the class. It does not eliminate the need to go in front of the class, but it takes the focus off the student and onto the cool effects.
Users must be 13 years of age.