Web 2.0 Tools

Click on Pedro the Penguin at the bottom of the page!!

 This is a screenshot from http://prezi.com/

Prezi Viewer is a free app that people can use to create and view presentations. They can be saved online and you can either share them publicly, or keep them private. In the Prezi platform, you are able to use images, videos, audio and document files to enhance your project. There are even pre-loaded templates for presentations; all you have to do is add your content. From there, the user has the option of manipulating the "pathways" however they wish!

This tool is extremely useful in an educational context because it is customizable and user friendly at the same time. Student engagement is extremely important in the classroom and I believe that using Prezi will keep the students attention throughout the class because it has so many interactive features to it.

Here is a link to a Prezi that I made for one of my classroom management course. Pay close attention to the use of videos, pictures, and the different pathways. http://prezi.com/xtidouyv9v4y/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

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This tool could remove barriers for certain learners because the teacher has the freedom to create their presentations however they want. If the teacher needs to accommodate different types of learners or students with disabilities, they could easily incorporate a variety of images, videos, and text. In addition to this, Prezi allows students to display their own knowledge in the way that there are most comfortable with.

Like I mentioned earlier, one of the best parts about Prezi is that it is very user-friendly. For that reason, anyone who has fundamental computer literacy nailed down should be able to use the application without much trouble.

The screenshot above is from http://evernote.com/

Evernote is a notetaking application but has added features that enhance the ability for students to express themselves. We touched on this idea briefly when we talked about SAMR and the modification component. There is a significant functional benefit when using Evernote with its various tools for enhancing note-taking. In addition, the application allows for sharing between peers, so it is a redesigned version of note-taking. The application allows the students to save their ideas on a user-friendly program. With Evernote, they can save the things that they see through pictures and they can record and save the things that they hear. This is extremely beneficial for students who learn in different ways. Some students are auditory learners, while others can be photographic learners. One of the nice things about Evernote is that it can be accessed from home on a computer or in class on a tablet or phone. 

In education, Evernote could be used as a note taking tool in the classroom and as a study tool for students outside of the classroom. The best part is, students do not have to save the file to an external storage device (USB). Instead, they can access their notes online from any computer in the world with their account information. Students will be able to upload up to 60 MB monthly.

Evernote would be effective for breaking barriers because it allows students to express their knowledge in a variety of ways using the different types of notes. If students are better at remembering concepts auditorily, they can record voice clips of themselves talking about the material. When it comes time to review before a test, the learner can replay the audio recording and have it walk them through the more difficult concepts. 

In Evernotes Terms of Service, they explain that the program is not directed towards children. In other words, it is geared more towards adults. They don't recommend anyone under the age of 13 to use the program without parental guidance/ supervision

Here is a video of Evernote being used in a middleschool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60WtVZfM4dY

This screenshot was taken from http://www.skype.com/en/

Skype is a free application that can be used for audio and video conferencing as well as instant messaging. Skype users can call contacts from around the world with the touch of a button and they can even call regular phone numbers if they pay for the call.

Skype conferencing does not have as much use inside the classroom as it does outside of the classroom. Outside of the classroom, teachers can allocate time for Q & A conferences. The best part about this is that it does not take much time out of a teacher's day. They can stay logged into their Skype while they are doing other things on the computer and then if a student has a question, they can contact the teacher. Here is a video i found on Skype that addresses the effectiveness that Skype can have for students in the 21st century.

Retrieved from: https://education.skype.com/

Skype could help remove some of the barrier for certain learners because it of the different ways that knowledge can be transmitted from peer to peer. One thing that really helps me in my own studies is the "share-screen" feature that Skype offers. This way, students can collaborate with one another either through voice comminication or messaging, while showing eachother their work. Skype offers a variety of options that make the app useable for students around the world, despite what kind of learner they are or what disabilities they might have. 

Skype can be used by students of all ages. It might be useful to have the assistance of a parent for younger students until they are able to navigate the app. Generally, Skype is  easy to navigate once you add your contacts.

If you have any questions about the tools that I chose. 

Please address them in the "Student Response" section below!