WEB 2.0

TEACHING TOOLS

 


 

by

JAMES J. HWANG

 

 

 


  •      Introduction

     

    3
  •      Bubbl Us

     

    4
  •      Storybird

     

    5
  •      Wikispaces

     

    6
  •      Conclusion

     

    7
  •      References

     

    8

INTRODUCTION

This e-book introduces three websites that can be used in education to reduce barriers for a variety of learners.  These websites are considered to be Web 2.0 tools, which emphasize user interactions and collaborations.  On the other hand, Web 1.0 refers to the previous state of the World Wide Web mostly involving content consumers and not content generators.  Therefore, Web 2.0 is the next stage of the World Wide Web's evolution and often involves content that is generated by users and their collaborations online.  

In education, learners can take advantage of such features of Web 2.0 and produce a variety of content online instead of relying on offline resources.  As demonstrated by some of the tools showcased in this e-book, Web 2.0 tools can enhance education and offer valuable supports for students with various barriers to learning.



BUBBL US

www.bubbl.us

Bubbl Us is a website that allows users of any age to brainstorm either individually or collaboratively by using online mind maps.  To use this virtual brainstorming tool users must create accounts and there are free memberships available along with paid memberships featuring premium services. 

Bubbl Us could be used in education in projects that require extensive planning and collaboration with peers.  Some examples include: using a mind map while preparing to write an essay or a report which involves brainstorming and organizing relevant ideas and content; preparing a group presentation or a project that requires joint brainstorming and planning with peers outside of class time; and organizing and categorizing various concepts learned in science class into a mind map.  While some of these examples could be accomplished without the use of online technology, using Bubbl Us allows students to work on the same brainstorming page simultaneously while in their respective homes without needing to meet in person. 

Bubbl Us also reduces barriers for learners who are unorganized and often misplace their homework.  Since their work is saved onto the cloud storage space offered by Bubbl Us, learners struggling with organization skills do not have to worry about losing their work either at school, at home, on the bus, and elsewhere.  

Bubbl Us is a tool frequently used by professional adults, but the interface is simple enough to be used by students in grade 5 and above.  While Bubbl Us has no age requirements stated in their Privacy Policy nor in their Terms of Service, the interface may be too challenging for younger students and instead it is more appropriate for students in upper Elementary school and higher.  


Storybird

www.storybird.com

Storybird is a tool that allows users of all ages to create visual stories using pre-drawn images by artists from around the world.  Users can also read stories created by other users and follow them.  These stories may also be set up to be purchased by other users, and the artists of the pictures used in the stories are awarded royalties from the profit.  Otherwise, Storybird is a free Web 2.0 service.

Storybird can be used in education for illustrating creative writing, retelling literature, and depicting procedures often involved in science.  The website emphasizes education further by offering sections for educators and parents, in addition to writers, artists, and fundraisers.  Storybird also aligns with the United States Common Core curriculum, and allows a teacher to set up a classroom library of stories created by students in a particular class. 

Storybird could reduce barriers for learners struggling with writing long texts or learners having hard time organizing chronological events.  Also, Storybird could allow students that are insecure about their artistic skills to pictorally depict their stories and increase interest in storytelling, since the tool offers a large database of pictures.

While Storybird advertises their service as being available for all ages, younger students without sufficient mastery of computers and online interfaces may find the tool challenging to use.  Therefore, this Web 2.0 tool is recommended for students in grade 3 and above. 


Wikispaces

www.wikispaces.com

Wikispaces offers individuals and organizations to create "wikis" with online payments.  "Wikis" are websites that contain various information categorized into separate pages.  Any user with appropriate permissions can edit the information inside a wiki, allowing users to collaborate on the published information contained in the wiki.  While there are many wiki websites online and even free wiki hosting services available on the internet, the most well-known example of a wiki currently is Wikipedia.  Also, wikis are a great example of a Web 2.0 tool.

In regards to education, Wikispaces offer a free program called Wikispaces Classroom to educators and students, providing a wiki hosting service that is more enhanced and catered to schools.  With the Wikispaces Classroom website, teachers can create a safe online social networking space among students, assign various homework, monitor student progress, and provide fast assessment and feedback.  Teachers can also create project groups on Wikispaces Classroom, being able to control the scale of social interactions on the website.  Among such a wide variety of micro tools, teachers are able to distribute online content to students as well, such as videos, images, polls, and documents.

Wikispaces Classroom could reduce barriers to learning for students with poor organization skills and reduced memory capabilities.  Since the teacher can post the homework right on the website, students would simply need to log in and follow the directions provided on the website.  Also, students that may have been away from school due to debilitating illnesses could stay on track by completing assignments online from home or the hospital.  

Since Wikispaces Classroom is intended for students, there are no age restrictions provided on the website's policies.  However, young students without appropriate knowledge of computers and the internet are not recommended for this tool, as with any other Web 2.0 service.  Therefore, Wikispaces Classroom would be more suited for students in grades 4 and above. 


CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Web 2.0 tools can be used in education to benefit students and teachers and help remove a variety of barriers to learning.  The three tools showcased in this e-book, Bubbl Us, Storybird, and Wikispaces Classroom, all targeted several different barriers and helped certain students to overcome their obstacles.  Therefore, using Assistive Technologies for Learning (ATL) while planning a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) ensures that a seamless accommodation is created for students with barriers to learning, resulting in happier youth who are excited to learn and be educated.



REFERENCES

 

Cover Image Retrieved From: http://curiositatics.blogspot.ca/2013_07_01_archive.html

Introduction Image Retrieved From: https://www.flickr.com/photos/luc/2590452226

Introduction Background Information Retrieved From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0

Information on Bubbl Us Retrieved From: https://bubbl.us/

Information on Storybird Retrieved From: https://storybird.com/

Information on Wikispaces Retrieved From: https://wikispaces.com/

Information on Wikis Retrieved From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki

Conclusion Image Retrieved From: http://www.clipartpanda.com/categories/happy-school-kids-clipart