Web 2.0 in the Classroom.




Twitter: (https://twitter.com/)

Twitter is a social media website and Web 2.0 tool that allows users to be able to create an account which gives them a public or private platform to post 140 character messages or images of their choice. The user can also choose to subscribe and follow other users of their choice, and when doing so the followed user's posts appear on the subscribed user's Twitter feed. Furthermore, Twitter can be used to create multiple  user group forums, in which group discussion can be further held online from any location.

Twitter in the Classroom

Twitter has multiple classroom applications. Twitter could be used to create an ongoing classroom dicussion concerning a certain current events topic in a social studies class that students would have to research, or Twitter could be used as an additional tool by the teacher to inform students on upcoming school events, deadlines, assignments, and general classroom happenings that concern them.

How could this tool reduce or remove barriers for certain students?

Twitter is a tool that could remove the barriers that students with anxiety disorders could face in classroom dicussion, by giving them a platform to share their opinions without the social pressure of the face-to-face classroom environment. Furthermore, Twitter provides a platform, in a multi-day group dicussion context, for students with cognitive developmental delays to have more time to possibly formulate an answer or reply to a discussion post.

Required age of users:

According to Twitter's Terms of Use there is no limitation on the age of a user.



Easelly: (http://www.easel.ly/)

Easelly is an awesome Web 2.0 tool that allows users to simply and easily create web posters and infographics with multiple designs, backgrounds, and fonts of their choice. The drag and drop interface makes creating your infographic or poster easy and quick. Furthermore, saved images can be uploaded to your infographic, and the infographic can be publicly or privately shared online.

Easelly in the classroom:

Easelly has multiple classroom applications. Easelly could be used as a Web 2.0 tool for students to collaborate and work on class presentations, and it also cuts down on the environmental costs of school supply usage. Also, students working in a group could have the option to edit and work on the poster indiviually at their own convenience, because of its online nature. Furthermore, considering the digital medium through which Easelly functions, students or teachers could easily show their poster or presentation to a wide audience on an IWB or digital projector. 

How could Easelly be used to reduce or eliminate barriers for certain learners:

Easelly could be used by teachers as a means to provide new and unique methods of visual representation, as is recommended by the UDL framework "providing multiple means of representation", for students who are visual learners. Furthermore, Easelly provides a new and unique way for students to express their thoughts and ideas in class projects, and may also help to spark motivation and interest for those students who suffer from motivation or attention deficit disorders. 

Easelly Terms of Use:

Easelly does not stipulate any age restrictions on the use of their web service as per their terms of service agreement.



Pinterest: (http://www.pinterest.com/)

Pinterest is a Web 2.0 tool that allows users to post content and linked websites to a pinboard of their title and choosing. Other users pinboards can also be followed by the user, and the user can also pin content from other users pinboards for their own use if the other use has their settings set to public. 

Pinterest in the classroom:

Pinterest has multiple classroom applications. It is a forum through which the teacher can post and share multiple educational websites and other forms of online media to his/her students for educational and pedagogical purposes. Also, the teacher can utilize Pinterest as a student tool for student expression or as a form of student assement through presentations or projects.

How can Pinterest reduce or eliminate barriers for students with certain needs?

Pinterest provides multiple means of assement for students who may have difficulties with traditional means of assesment such as pencil and paper tests or essays. Pinterest can do this by giving the student multiple means of internet media through which the student can express themselves in order to be assesed. 

Pinterest terms of use:

Pinterest has no restrictions stated in their terms of service agreement pertaining to the age of its users.