Web 2.0 Tools
By Jordan Carter
EDU 210
Wikipedia
www.wikipedia.org
Wikipedia is a free, user-generated encyclopaedia. Any user with internet access can edit Wikipedia, which means that it is possibly one of the largest collaborative works in the English language.
While I would be wary of a student utilizing Wikipedia as a source, I would utilize Wikipedia in a classroom by having a student edit, or comment on a page.
This resource could be used to reduce barriers through various means. Firstly, it has a "simple English" function, which allows students at a lower reading level to access it. Furthermore, Wikipedia has articles concerning almost everything, and as such students can find resources which interest them.
There is no minimum age to use Wikipedia. Wikipedia even has a guide to help out young editors!
www.twitter.com
Twitter is a social communication platform. Users are able to use 140 characters to say whatever they like. Users are able to tag other users in these posts, as well as add links and pictures.
This tool could be used for several ways in education. For instance, students could be tasked with tweeting about current events in a social studies class, and engage with each other in an online space. They could even communicate with learners from around the world!
This tool could reduce barriers for students with short attention spans, as Twitter users can condense lots of information into a short amount of time.
Students must be 13 to use Twitter
Grammarly
www.grammarly.com
Grammarly is a proofreading software developed for internet use. It provides enhanced spelling and grammar checks, checking over 250 grammatical concepts in writing, as well as checking for plagiarism.
Students in class can use Grammarly in an English or Social Studies class to check their own writing in real time. This will allow them to recognize mistakes, and allow them to grow as writers.
There is no minimum age required to use Grammarly.