Web 2.0 Tools
Table of Contents:
- Glossopedia
- Directory of Science
- Ecokids
- Annenberg Learner
Glossopedia
Access this tool here.
Glossopedia was developed with the primary goal to provide a child friendly unique learning resource online. Students are then able to look into research articles and find information on a variety of subjects and parents don’t have to be concerned about the lack of PG nature of any other search engine. Glossopedia’s real advantage is “the depth of its visually exciting, rich multi-media content, including photos and video of rare plants and endangered species from wildlife reserves and environments across the globe”. It is essentially a kid-friendly encyclopedia containing text, video clips, audio files, maps, interactive features etc. It is available online, interactive, safe, free, at home, at school, a colourful place for kids to discover nature, animals, science and culture.
As noted previously, this tool provides several different forms of information, in videos, interactive features, reading etc. to accomodate for different types of learners. This website is directed to approximately grade 4 ages, but is an effective tool for anywhere from grades 1-6.
Access this tool here.
Directory of Science is essentially a search engine that provides articles, lessons, research, books, data, and a multitude of information for anyone in need of facts. It encompasses many subjects, anywhere rom biological science to news and media to software and technology. It is very easy to navigate, and a great tool for students to use when looking for credible articles and websites for research projects. Whenever a topic is searched, the directory also sorts the results into subjects to narrow the search to exactly what the student is looking for. For example, if one is looking to do research on the Kuiper Belt, they would start by selecting Astronomy in the topic menu, then Solar System in the subcategories, and then will find several sources on the Kuiper belt as well as several other parts of the Solar System.
The directory also provides multiple forms of sources, some videos, some pictures, some journals, publications, research findings, charts, data etc. to accomodate for several different learning strategies.
Ecokids
Access Ecokids here.
Ecokids provides several interactive lessons for students to learn more about their ecological footprint. There are multiple aspects presented all encouraging students to be more ecologically friendly. Some topics include recycling batteries, limiting food waste, yard sales and using reusable water bottles. Many young students are unaware of the repercussions of many of their actions on the environment, and a website like this is a great way to reveal to the students how their everyday choices effect the environment.
This could be used in the classroom when teaching about ecological footprints.
Ecokids has a variety of different interactive activities, some that require reading, and some that read aloud to the students, all of which require interaction so that the student will learn from their experience.
Annenberg Learner
Access this tool here.
This is a wonderful website for teachers to look for lesson plans, professional development, and video courses and licensing. It provides several forms of communication, as well as several topic choices to narrow down the search. Learner.org provides lesson plans in several different course subjects, such as chemistry, biology and astronomy, with subtopics such as dark matter, earth’s seasons, the moon and so on.
Each subsection comes with differing lesson resources such as videos, charts, photos, interactive stories etc. for students who learn in different ways.