Web 2.0 Tools in K-12 Education
An exploration of useful online educational resources
Matthew Mudry
Table of Contents
Web 2.0 - Education for the Future -------------------------------- 3
Tool 1 - Storybird ------------------------------------------------------ 4
Tool 2 - Lino ------------------------------------------------------------ 5
Tool 3 - Khan Academy ----------------------------------------------- 6
Tool 4 - Quizlet --------------------------------------------------------- 7
Conclusion and References ----------------------------------------- 8
A note on the cover photo: This photo was taken by the author in 2005, at Beaver Lake, Alberta. In this context, it symbolizes the (sometimes unseen) beauty and usefulness of using technology in the classroom as well as the possibilities for the future (sunrise).
Web 2.0 - Education for the Future
What is "Web 2.0"?
Quite simply, Web 2.0 is a term used to describe modern online technology. In the early days of the Internet, websites were seen as static sources in which content was created by a creator and viewed at a later time by users (this has retroactively become known as "Web 1.0"). As online resources became more popular, more people began to add to the Internet. As time went on, users expected to be able to interact with content (and with other users) and to contribute to it, which is referred to as "user empowerment" by Rouse (2011).
Nowadays, we are in the midst of the Web 2.0 era. Examples of Web 2.0 applications and technology include (but are not limited to) blogs, wikis, RSS feeds and social networking (Twitter, YouTube, Wikipedia, Skype and WordPress are all well-known examples of Web 2.0 tools). Technology that may have been unthinkable only a decade or two ago is routinely used by many today (and in the same vein, the same may be true of us in a decade or two!).
So what does this have to do with K-12 education? Students are already comfortable with technology (computers and cellular phones for example) and use it on a regular bais. According to a study led by Pew Research, 93% of American teenagers have access to a computer (no mention of Internet connection capability was made, but it is presumed to be only slightly less than this percentage). In addition, three quarters of teens regularly access the Internet on their mobile devices (on a smartphone, for instance) (Cortesi, Duggan, Gasser, Lenhart, Madden; 2013). With the proliferation of a technology that students are already using, there is an enormous opportunity to adapt this technology for use in educational settings.
In this online book, we will explore four lesser-known Web 2.0 tools (for differing age groups) that we feel will complement and add quality to teaching.
Tool 1 - Storybird
Storybird (http://storybird.com/) is a free online resource where users create their own stories, using text and images. These stories may then be printed or shared on the website, where they are classified according to genre.
This website could be used in education at all ages but would be especially useful in lower-level language classes. Students would be able to show their creativity by not only writing their own story, but by providing the illustrations as well. Teachers would no doubt appreciate that this website saves them pencils, pens, crayons, markers, paint and paper (if they decide to save the completed stories online).
The online aspect of this tool may also engage students that wouldn't ordinarily enjoy writing a story or making illustrations. If certain students have writing difficulties, the teacher could incorporate text-prediction, spell-checking and/or speech-to-text software, something that may not be possible for written stories. In addition, some students may feel more at ease in creating drawings on a computer. For students who prefer to draw on paper, an option is available to upload images into the online story (provided the school is equipped with a scanner of some kind).
The terms of service do not explicitly have a minimum age, however all minors are encouraged to read the terms with a responsible adult. There is, however, one condition that teachers will want to be aware of: by making a story on Storybird, the writer gives away all rights pertaining to that story to the website in perpetuity.
Tool 2 - Lino
Lino (http://en.linoit.com/) is a free "sticky and canvas" website where users can write on "notes" and organize them in their personal space. This website is an excellent choice for those who want a high-tech solution for organization or reminders.
As the terms of use state users must be at least thirteen years old, only those in secondary will be able to use this website. It is a tool that is well-suited to note-taking (as long as those notes are short) or exam preparation. For example, a student could write key concepts on their notes and organize them in a way that would help them study (useful for classes where memorization is often necessary, such as in biology or social studies).
This tool would be especially helpful to students who are visual learners and may break down barriers, so to speak, with those who need to visualize information in their own way in order to process it. Lino is also available on Android and Apple devices, so most students with smartphones will be access their notes on-the-go.
Tool 3 - Khan Academy
Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org/) is a free online learning resource. Best known for its series of videos on almost every (secondary - minimum age is thirteen according to the Terms of Service) school subject (and far beyond), the website also offers practice problems and "badges" (incentives to complete topics and modules). Many of these resources are also availble in thirty languages.
Students and teachers alike could make good use of this Web 2.0 tool. Students could use the videos to study, improve their knowledge, or go above and beyond what is being taught in class. The practice questions could also be valuble to students. Similarly, teachers could use Khan Academy as a supplement to their own teaching and learning.
Finally, this resource could definitely reduce barriers to education: students are no longer tied to the classroom to learn. If a student doesn't understand a concept in algebra, for example, they don't need to wait for the teacher to answer their question; it is quite possible (in fact probable) that this resource has the answer. Also, some learners may prefer the teaching style used in the video compared to that of their teacher.
Tool 4 - Quizlet
Quizlet (http://quizlet.com/) is a free website where users can make sample quizzes on any subject and share them with others. Sample study sets can be chosen or the user can log in to create their own guides. Anyone with an Internet connection is able to sign up for a Quizlet account, however, for those less than thirteen years old, parental consent is required.
The benefits of using this in an educational setting are obvious. Students would be able to make their own study guides and questions on any subject and share them with others. This allows students to test each other, in a way, or to make practice quizzes for each other in order to improve test performance. Teachers could also use Quizlet to make practice quizzes for their students.
This website would have learners break down barriers compared to a traditional practice quiz written on paper. First of all, students on Quizlet can return to quizzes if they so choose and whenever they want. As well, visual and auditory components are offered, making this option more attractive to diverse learning types.
Conclusion
The world of Web 2.0 is still evolving and changing. In a few years, new resources will be used by teachers in ways that we may only dream of today. In order to improve student learning and instructor teaching, Web 2.0 tools can be used as a valuable supplement resource. In this online book, we summarized four Web 2.0 tools, indicating their costs, age levels, appropriate subjects and functionalities.
References:
Cortesi S., Duggan, M. Gasser, U., Lenhart, A., Madden, M. (2013). Teens and Technology 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2014 from http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/03/13/teens-and-technology-2013/
Khan Academy. (2013). Khan Academy Terms of Service. Retrieved June 4, 2014 from https://www.khanacademy.org/about/tos
Lino. (2014). Home Page. Retrieved June 4, 2014 from http://en.linoit.com/
Lino. (2009). linoit.com Terms of Service. Retrieved June 4, 2014 from http://en.linoit.com/en/terms/
Quizlet. (2014). Home Page. Retrieved June 4, 2014 from http://quizlet.com/
Quizlet (2012). Terms of Service. Retrieved June 4, 2014 from http://quizlet.com/tos
Rouse, M. (2011). Web 2.0 (or Web 2). Retrieved June 4, 2014 from http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Web-20-or-Web-2
Storybird. (2014). Terms of Service. Retrieved June 4, 2014 from http://storybird.com/terms-of-service/