Web 2.0 Educational Resources

Web 2.0 Educational Resources 

Web 2.0 is a term used to describe technology that allows us to create online content and to collaborate on the web. 
(University of Alberta, 2014)

Bubbl.Us
Located at: https://bubbl.us/

The purpose of Bubbl.us is that it is a graphic organizer creation tool that is freely accessable online. Users can create free accounts or sign up using existing social networking accounts such as facebook or twitter.

This tool can be used educationally as it provides students and teachers with an easy way create various graphic organizers or mindmaps. This allows for visual representation of ideas, describing processes, and brainstrorming that can be shared with others.

This tool could remove or reduce barriers in the classroom by catering to the needs of students who have difficulty writing, or are visual learners. Typing allows for students to contribute their ideas without having to worry about the process of handwriting. Visual learners can also benefit from this tool as it allow them to visually organize their ideas, allows for customization, zooming features, and adding images.  

There is no listed age requirements for this tool according to the terms of service, and I feel that this tool would be beneficial for all grades in elementary school and beyond. I feel this is a great way to introduce students to technology and typing, as well as to introducing the proper use of brainstorming and word webs. 

Cram
Located at: http://www.cram.com/

The purpose of Cram is that it is a database of flashcards for different subject areas and allows for the creation of a user's own flashcards.

This tool can be used educationally as it provides students with an easy way create flashcards that can be used for organizing ideas or studying. When creating a flashcard, students can create a two sided card with text or images. 

This Web 2.0 tool could remove or reduce barriers in the classroom by catering to the needs of students who have difficulty writing, have trouble with organization, or are visual learners. Students who have difficulty with writing can convey their ideas to the flashcard by typing, removing potential barriers. Visual learners and students who have trouble with organization can also benefit from this tool as they can search and create cards based on subject area, and can add images to further enhance their learning. This web tool is also available on Iphones, Ipads, and Androids, in addition to computers. 

There is no listed age requirements for this tool according to the terms of service, but I feel this tool would be more appropriately used at higher elementary levels and beyond. Studying appears to become more of an issue in later elementary, and this technology could be used in school or at home to aid in the studying process. 

Storybird
Located at: http://storybird.com/

The purpose of Storybird is that it is allows for users to create and read visual stories online. Storybird provides artwork from illustrators and animators around the world as prompts for students to create stories inspired by the visuals. It can also be used by teachers as a Learning Management System (LMS) where they can create classes and add their students in order to display and create pieces of work.

This Web 2.0 tool can be used educationally as it allows students with create and read stories on the web through providing visual prompts and creative ideas. Teachers can further use this tool to create classes where students can be added and their stories can be submitted and viewed by the teacher online. 

This  tool could remove or reduce barriers in the classroom by catering to the needs of students who have difficulty writing, or are visual learners. Students who have difficulty with writing can create and express their stories, journals, and ideas through typing, which will remove potential barriers associated with the physical act of writing. Visual learners can also benefit from this tool as they can choose different prompts based on their interests and can refer back to the images when creating their submissions. 

The Storybird website promotes users to "Join a global community of writers, readers, and artists of all ages". This tool could be a great resource for any grade as it can be used to learn about the different parts of a story, to develop concepts such as setting/theme/character/etc., can be used for journaling, or can be used to practice and develop reading skills based on level and interest. 

As previously mentioned, Web 2.0 is a term used to describe technology that allows us to create online content and to collaborate on the web.

Common Web 2.0 tools include blogs, wikis, and social media networks. This Ebook explored the tools:

• Bubbl.us (https://bubbl.us/)
• Cram (http://www.cram.com/)
• Storybird (http://storybird.com/)

Some of the benefits of using 2.0 tools in K-12 classrooms include: 

• Encouragement and participation in collaboration among students and others beyond the classroom.

• Appeals to different learning styles.

• Are easy to use and often free.

• Reduce and remove barriers to learning.

Information on Web 2.0 tools was obtained from the University of Alberta Edu 210 Resource Tab for Flex Lab Module 6.
University of Alberta, 2014. Overview, resources, interactive activity, rubric. Retrieved from https://eclass.srv.ualberta.ca/mod/tab/view.php?id=1051700. [Accessed on July 23, 2014].