Web+2.0

__Web 2.0 Applications__ While there are many ways to enhance the student learning experience, there are 5 which are deserving of attention. The five applications are RSS Feeds, Prezi, Slide, Google Docs and Second Life.

The first way to enhance the student learning experience is through access to RSS feeds on websites. These feeds appear on news, entertainment, sports and numerous other categories of websites in order to provide headlines, breaking news or even gossip about celebrities. While not all of these sites would be useful in the classroom, access to this breaking information could enhance the student experience.

The second medium is an exciting presentation tool called “Prezi”. While traditional slides have largely been phased out of teaching and Powerpoint presentations have taken their place, there is a new alternative that can drastically enhance the learning experience. First, Prezi is not simply a new way to display slides. It is an interesting and interactive medium designed to spice up and emphasize different aspects of a presentation and make the experience of learning far more intriguing. Prezi combines the basic technology of Powerpoint but adds motion, graphics, and interactivity in a way that is absorbing. What is also interesting about is that it is a web-based tool and is available to everyone.

The third medium is Google Docs. Google is an easy to access search engine and its derivative program, Google Docs, allows a group of people access to a group of documents. While in and of itself this is not a breakthrough in the learning experience, the applications for the classroom are endless. Imagine as a history teacher being able to provide a variety of primary and secondary sources at the student’s fingertips rather than forcing library research or purchasing books and magazine articles. The same would go for an art teacher who could add countless works by innumerable artists to help inspire their students.

The fourth medium is a website called Slide.com. On this site, people can create their own slideshows, videos, groups and other resources. Slide has the ability to enhance a slide show in a way that is less formal and more social than a traditional power point presentation. Ultimately, it is a more accessible medium for younger students.

The final medium and the one that is most intriguing for the multitude of educational options is Second Life. In Second Life, people create a character and while using an online avatar are able to talk to others, interact, shop, or fall in love. That being said, the social development aspects of this are interesting but the educational opportunities are limitless. Imagine a French class taking a virtual stroll down the Champs Elysees, visiting the Eiffel Tower and standing beneath the Arc d’triumph all while sitting in front of the classroom computer. A doctor could perform a surgery online before ever touching the patient. A biology class could virtually dissect a frog without suffering from the smell of formaldehyde or getting grossed out. Of all of the Web 2.0 applications, this is the one that is the most intriguing due to both the limitless applications and the virtual reality component.

__Using Web 2.0 in my classroom__ RSS feeds: One assignment that I will use that involves RSS feeds will be while teaching a Civics class. I will have each of the students keep a journal for at least 2 weeks and part of their assignment everyday will be to report on a headline from the news that day and their reaction to it. Additionally, I would also like to teach a sport history class. With that being said, getting breaking news and comparing it to past headlines and events could be very interesting.

Prezi: After exploring it for a little while, I am in love with this website. I can see using this in a variety of ways. First of all, I would assign a group project that required the use of Prezi. Particularly in either a world history or US history class, I can see Prezi helping to bring those subjects alive. Specifically, I would have each group pick and then report on a president for US History and design a presentation about the impact each of the major players had during World War 2. I would also use this to create my own presentations on a variety of subjects.

Google Docs: I plan to have this become a vital part of all of the classrooms I teach. From my experience, history comes alive when there is something that can be seen or listened to or watched. I would use Google Docs as a repository for primary and secondary sources to give as homework assignments. One of the most effective learning tools I’ve been exposed to is analyzing and interpreting primary and secondary sources. I would give the students the opportunity to do that and then give them feedback all in Google Docs.

Slide: Honestly, this tool is the least interesting to me. I think that it would appeal to the students given its more social nature, but as a teacher, I am also interested in seeing these students prepare professional looking presentations. This appears a bit too casual for my liking. However, I see its usefulness. The slideshow component could be used, coupled with the group and video components to teach a section on recent history. I could incorporate music and video from the Vietnam War era to give the students a dynamic image of the time.

Second Life: This is the tool that absolutely fascinates me. I saw in the tutorial the opportunity to have a classroom construct a pyramid of Egypt interactively and virtually. While the building a pyramid idea seems great for an elementary school, I can see using this to construct a Model UN application where the students represent countries online and debate. I can also see using this to walk the students through the battlefields on ancient Greece and Rome or put them into the court of King Arthur while teaching a Medieval History Lesson. This technology is the one I am most excited about using in the classroom.