webtwopointo

=What Web 2.0 Can Do For You and Your Students=

There is no agreed upon definition of Web 2.0. Some people call it the Read/Write Web. I think that name is a better description of what I mean when I say Web 2.0. Web 2.0 applications make it easy to create and share content on the World Wide Web. There are many, many, many such applications, so many that it can be overwhelming. Chris O'Neal has a good list here: http://webtwopointo.wikispaces.com/.

We're just going to focus on three applications that move from the personal to the social. These are all free applications with multiple uses for both your own productivity and for classroom use. As we look at each one, we'll take some time to brainstorm possible classroom applications.

iGoogle is a combination of a web page design tool and an aggregator. By combining various gadgets, you can create a page both for yourself and your classroom. Once you create an account, you will have access to other great Google tools, like Google Docs and Google Maps. (See, I told you it could be overwhelming!)
 * iGoogle: http://www.google.com/ig**

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Using iGoogle in the Classroom

Even though I know how to write code and have access to Dreamweaver, I use wikispaces to create webpages. Other users can also edit the pages. It is easy to include graphics and videos. Here's an introduction to wikis:
 * Wikispaces: http://www.wikispaces.com**

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Using Wikispaces in the Classroom

This social networking tool offers lots of ways to communicate with others. VSTE, the Virginia Society for Technology in Education, has set up a Ning site where educators are having conversations and sharing discussions.
 * VSTE's Ning Site: http://vsteonline.ning.com**

Using Ning in the classroom