Web 2.0 in the Classroom
Kidblog is a blog that is useful for all K-12 students. Students can treat their Kidblog like a regular blog, although the teacher maintains control of the content. Some uses listed on the Kidblog website include:
- create classroom discussions
- learn digital citizenship
- practicing writing skills
- create an e-portfolio
- reflect on learning
- formatively assess
Kidblog can help students to overcome learning barriers by providing an alternate form of expression. It can also help to encourage students who typically don't volunteer information in class to express their opinion and allow students to demonstrate content knowledge by their posts and blog content.
Kidblog says in the terms of use that no person under the age of 18 is allowed to be an administrator, and that children under the age of 13 must have parent/gaurdian permission. There is no minimum age suggested, though I saw grades 2-6 frequently in my research.
Study Blue is a site or an app that you can sign up for to receive help with studying. Once signed up, you can search for your class or teacher and pull up materials that other students have created; materials include flashcards, study guides and practice tests based on material submitted. Students can use study blue by utilizing existing content or posting their own.
Study Blue can help with those courses where there are many readings. The study guides and flashcards are reviews, in compacted form, of knowledge needed for assessment.
Study Blue can be used in the classroom by having students create flashcards and study guides for eachother.
The required age is 18 for this tool, but a parent or gaurdian can give permission and then a minimum age of 13 is required.
Word Talk is a speech to text add on, a plug in for the near universal Microsoft Word. This add on reads the text and highlights the words as they are read. This would benefit students with lower reading skills and comprehension by associating the spoken word with written.
There are no specific terms of use found on the website. This is however, an add on to Microsoft Office and users would be expected to comply with the licensing terms agreed to at the time of purchasing the Microsoft Office product or suite.