Web 2.0 Tools: High School English


Web 2.0 tools are applications and programs which allow for collaboration and the creation of user generated content. Web 2.0 tools are useful in Education because they offer students alternative and creative ways to work in groups, complete assignments, and learn. 



Mindmaps are great tools for brainstorming and organizing ideas

Brainstorming and Organizing Ideas: Mindmaps and Flowcharts

MindMaps are great tools for any classroom. They save time bcause then students don't have to draw out every detail, and can easily change their maps. Also, teachers would not have to premake an outline for a mindmap or chart (which some tudents may find restricting).  In an English class, students could use mind maps to brainstrom essays and complete character or text analyses. Mindmaps are great tools for visual learners, or learners that have trouble writing essays. They can make planning a lot easier for students, and could even be used in place of a typical essay outline or for a powerpoint presentation. 

Mindmeister is an online tool for creating mind maps. With mindmeister, students can collaborate to create mind maps for any subject or assignment. It even works offline. Maps can also be shared through social networks and via email. Mindmeister can also be used to create presentations. Students can create 3 mindmaps for free on mindmeister. The Personal account costs. 5.99/month.

MindMapFree is a great alternative to MindMeister. MindMapFree is easy to use, and while it doesn't have as many features (no online collaboration or sharing) as Mindmeister, it is still a great tool for High School Students.

Flowchart.com is currently free while in beta. Like mindmeister, it allows for collaboration and sharing. Students can work on a flowchart or mind map at the same time without any hiccups. Flowchart.com works on multiple browers and operating systems. 




Presentations: Alternatives to Powerpoint

Scratch is an online programming tool which students can use to create interactive activies such as games, stories, and videos. This is a great tool for students that have trouble doing oral presentations. Instead of an oral presentation or a powerpoint, students could create an interactive game for classmates. This could also be a great tool for students who have trouble writing stories, as students could create an interactive story or storyboard instead. It would also be a great tool for kinetisc learners , as it allows them to put a game together and then play it. There are no age restrictions on Scratch and it is free to use. Anything created in Scratch can be easily shared online. 

Prezi is a Web 2.0  tool for creating interactive presentations. Like Powerpoint, prezi user can create a slide for each topic, but Prezi looks more like a mind map. Prezi is easy to use and very interactive, making it a great tool for visual learners . It's also more eye catching than a typical presentation, which makes it more interesting for students to watch. Students can share their presentations and collaborate on Prezi. Prezi does require users to be above 13, and requires anyone under 18 to have premission from a legal guardian. 

Comic books can also be good replacements for powerpoint. MakeBeliefsComix is a straightforward easy to use comic strip creator. Sharing is limited to email. Another great tool (which is more education orientated) is professorgarfield.org. while it is aimed at students in Kindergraton to Grade 8, it is still a great tool for creating games and comics. Students can also explore different subjects and there is a section for students learning English.  


Alternative tools for presentations tend to be more engaging than powerpoint


Web 2.0 tools are excellent for helping students to study

Studying with Web 2.0: Tools to make studying easier

Quizlet.com lets students create their own study set and go through sets that have already been created. It would be a great tool for students studying literary terms or poetry types. Quizlet would be a great alternative to given students a glossary because it would reduce the cognitive load. It could also be a great tool for visual learners. Students can choose how they study their set (flashcards, quiz, matching, etc.), making this an ideal tool. Quizlet will even speak the word on each card for verbal learners. 

One of the best ways for students to practise analyzing texts is through annotation. Thinklink is a great tool for this because it allows students to annotate with text, images, youtube videos and more. This means students can choose to annotate with the tool that work best for them. For example an oral/verbal learner could add in a recording or a video. Students can share their images when they are done, so this useful study tool could even replace an annotation assginmnet. 

Text to speech tools are great for students who have a reading disability, or just don't like reading a textbook. With naturalreaders.com, students have the option of typing in their own text or uploading a documnet (like their note or class notes). Students can also share the converted text through social media. 


General Resources:

Dunn, J. (2012, May 15). 100 Web 2.0 Tools Every Teacher Should Know About - Edudemic. Edudemic. Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://www.edudemic.com/best-web-tools-slides/

Ferlazzo, L. (2012, July 10). The Best Web 2.0 Applications For Education In 2012 — So Far. Larry Ferlazzos Websites of the Day. Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2012/07/10/the-best-web-2-0-applications-for-education-in-2012-—-so-far/

Swanson, G. (2011, April 1). Web 2 Tools by Task. : Web 2 Tools by Task. Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://edtechtoolbox.blogspot.ca/p/web-2-tools-by-task.html

Brainstorming Resources

MindMapFree.com (n.d.). MindMapFree.com Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://mindmapfree.com

MindMeister. (n.d.). MindMeister. Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://www.mindmeister.com

Flowchart Software. (n.d.). Flowchart Software Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://flowchart.com

Presentation Resources

MAKE BELIEFS COMIX! Online Educational Comic Generator for Kids of All Ages. (n.d.). MAKE BELIEFS COMIX! Online Educational Comic Generator for Kids of All Ages. Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://www.makebeliefscomix.com

Prezi - Presentation Software. (n.d.). prezi.com. Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://prezi.com

Professor Garfield. (n.d.). Welcome To Professor Garfield. Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://www.professorgarfield.org/pgf_home.html

Scratch - Imagine, Program, Share. (n.d.). Scratch - Imagine, Program, Share. Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://scratch.mit.edu

Study Tool Resources:

Free text to speech software with Naturally Sounding Voices -- Free NaturalReader. (n.d.). Free text to speech software with Naturally Sounding Voices -- Free NaturalReader. Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://www.naturalreaders.com

Quizlet. (n.d.). Quizlet. Retrieved June 8, 2014, from http://quizlet.com

ThingLink - Make Your Images Interactive. (n.d.). Thinglink. Retrieved June 8, 2014, from https://www.thinglink.com