Sunday, October 7, 2012
Reflections on Web 2.0
Web 2.0 is a remarkable phenomenom that is quickly changing the face of how people interact online. It's unique user friendly ability combined with little or no requirement for money make Web 2.0 an unstoppable force. The value of Web 2.0 allows people to freely exchange ideas without worrying about censorship or hidden fees. The opportunity gives humanity the ability to share limitless information which only serves to raise civilizations to a new level of self awareness. In the future, I believe that Web 2.0 will become the norm as there are many more people out there than corporations. I believe that this user friendly technology will enable humans to reach a level of enlightenment and understanding of one another that has never been capable until now. My favorite Web 2.0 website was the Museum Box website because of how cool it is and its ability to integrate mixed media. I love how children can use the Museum Box to take ownership of their learning and create meaningful, interactive media that serves to promote education.
Twitter's influence
Twitter
Twitter is a revolutionary social media network that allows people to post comments of up to 140 characters long. The overall purpose of twitter depends on who you ask. It is mostly used to stay up to date on what people are talking about and their reactions to current events. It has been used to organize protests as in the case of the Arab Spring. It has been used as a source for news and information. It is also used to share ideas and discuss topics of interest. Surprisingly, only 11% of twitters users are under the age of 17. Twitter's main demographic is adults and especially women. Businesses have used twitter as a form of recruiting and watching trends in better hopes to stay up to date with current fads and consumer needs. However, Twitter is mostly used as a kind of voyeurism into other people's lives. For example, the following people are ranked from most twitter followers to least:
1.) Lady Gaga
2.) Justin Bieber
3.) Katy Perry
4.) Rhianna
5.) Brittney Spears
This evidence leaves me to believe that twitter can be rather jejune and that people use it mainly for muck-raking and gossip. Who honestly cares what Lady Gaga has to say about the 2012 presidential election?
Twitter was created in 2006 by Jack Dorsey who is a St. Louis native. He went to Bishop DuBourg if you wanted to know because high schools seem to be a priority here in St. Louis.
I am a current user of twitter and I use it mostly to follow other people who I find interesting. I use it for laughs, information, links, insight, and gossip. Professionally I can't see communicating with students via twitter since it is illegal in Missouri. I think that educators can use twitter to follow groups of like minded people who want to share ideas on education. However, many scandals have arose from teachers tweeting comments demeaning to their students so I tend to keep my voice low on twitter. I would love to see another service that could allow for teacher and student interaction with something as simple and addicting as twitter.
Here is the link: www.twitter.com
Twitter is a revolutionary social media network that allows people to post comments of up to 140 characters long. The overall purpose of twitter depends on who you ask. It is mostly used to stay up to date on what people are talking about and their reactions to current events. It has been used to organize protests as in the case of the Arab Spring. It has been used as a source for news and information. It is also used to share ideas and discuss topics of interest. Surprisingly, only 11% of twitters users are under the age of 17. Twitter's main demographic is adults and especially women. Businesses have used twitter as a form of recruiting and watching trends in better hopes to stay up to date with current fads and consumer needs. However, Twitter is mostly used as a kind of voyeurism into other people's lives. For example, the following people are ranked from most twitter followers to least:
1.) Lady Gaga
2.) Justin Bieber
3.) Katy Perry
4.) Rhianna
5.) Brittney Spears
This evidence leaves me to believe that twitter can be rather jejune and that people use it mainly for muck-raking and gossip. Who honestly cares what Lady Gaga has to say about the 2012 presidential election?
Twitter was created in 2006 by Jack Dorsey who is a St. Louis native. He went to Bishop DuBourg if you wanted to know because high schools seem to be a priority here in St. Louis.
I am a current user of twitter and I use it mostly to follow other people who I find interesting. I use it for laughs, information, links, insight, and gossip. Professionally I can't see communicating with students via twitter since it is illegal in Missouri. I think that educators can use twitter to follow groups of like minded people who want to share ideas on education. However, many scandals have arose from teachers tweeting comments demeaning to their students so I tend to keep my voice low on twitter. I would love to see another service that could allow for teacher and student interaction with something as simple and addicting as twitter.
Here is the link: www.twitter.com
Web 2.0 and Education
Here are a list of some helpful educational websites that are a result of Web 2.0 and a brief description of each. Enjoy.
Myths and Legends
This website is a free online database that allows users to access a library of world myths. The best part is that these myths are narrated and include visualizations which is great for audio/visual learners. This website is ideal for social studies and language arts teachers who want to teach their kids about ancient wisdom and oral tradition.
Here is the link: http://myths.e2bn.org/index.php
Weebly
Weebly is a free website that allows teachers to set up their own websites that can be used to post assignments, share ideas, and promote teacher student interaction on a professional level. This website can be used to help students learn outside of the classroom by providing them with easily accessible documents that pertain to lessons.
Here is the link: Weebly
Kerpoof
Kerpoof is an interactive website that allows users to create fun games and stories that can make education entertaining. I don't believe that it is free but your district might already hold an account to be sure to talk to your administrator. Kerpoof offers students a hands on way to create stories, games, and educational tools that can give them ownership over learning.
Here is the link: www.kerpoof.com
Pixton
This free website allows students to create online comics or graphic novels that can be used to tell a story, explain an idea, or inform the reader on general information. This web based tool also allows students to explore their peers' work and comment or like such pieces. Pixton is compatible with Smart Boards which can really get the class engaged in online learning. The best feature of this site is its seemingly endless customization abilities that ensures that no two students will come up with the same comic.
Here is the link: www.pixton.com
Museum Box
I had to include this again because of how cool it is. Museum box allows students to create informative and interactive online media presentations that explore content specific topics. Students can choose a topic of their choice, create an informative box, and publish it for the world to see. This site allows the integration of video, audio, and photographs. Best of all, it's free.
Here's the link: http://museumbox.e2bn.org/
Myths and Legends
This website is a free online database that allows users to access a library of world myths. The best part is that these myths are narrated and include visualizations which is great for audio/visual learners. This website is ideal for social studies and language arts teachers who want to teach their kids about ancient wisdom and oral tradition.
Here is the link: http://myths.e2bn.org/index.php
Weebly
Weebly is a free website that allows teachers to set up their own websites that can be used to post assignments, share ideas, and promote teacher student interaction on a professional level. This website can be used to help students learn outside of the classroom by providing them with easily accessible documents that pertain to lessons.
Here is the link: Weebly
Kerpoof
Kerpoof is an interactive website that allows users to create fun games and stories that can make education entertaining. I don't believe that it is free but your district might already hold an account to be sure to talk to your administrator. Kerpoof offers students a hands on way to create stories, games, and educational tools that can give them ownership over learning.
Here is the link: www.kerpoof.com
Pixton
This free website allows students to create online comics or graphic novels that can be used to tell a story, explain an idea, or inform the reader on general information. This web based tool also allows students to explore their peers' work and comment or like such pieces. Pixton is compatible with Smart Boards which can really get the class engaged in online learning. The best feature of this site is its seemingly endless customization abilities that ensures that no two students will come up with the same comic.
Here is the link: www.pixton.com
Museum Box
I had to include this again because of how cool it is. Museum box allows students to create informative and interactive online media presentations that explore content specific topics. Students can choose a topic of their choice, create an informative box, and publish it for the world to see. This site allows the integration of video, audio, and photographs. Best of all, it's free.
Here's the link: http://museumbox.e2bn.org/
Wikipedia: Sinner or Saint?
Wikipedia
Wikipedia is mostly used to research information on almost anything in existence. It's purpose is to promote the growth of information and show the world the beauty of fair use.
Everyone uses Wikipedia. You can use it to research artists, movies, words, countries, dragons, history, animals, you name it. The options are almost limitless. I once searched for my old University and found so many hyperlinks to other sites pertaining to my university that I started to laugh. Wikipedia is mostly used for research, but people can be editors and input their own content into specific topics.
Wikipedia was formally launched in 2001 by two men named Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger. However, the idea of a centralized area where all knowledge is stored began with the library of Alexandria. Got to love the Greeks.
Personally I use Wikipedia whenever I need a quick rundown of information regarding a topic of interest. I use it to look up random historical events and often find myself clicking on links within pages whereupon I become lost in a sea of information. Professionally I try to steer clear of Wikipedia because our librarian is a Nazi when it comes to it. I do let students use it to look up information and find links, but I don't let them cite it as a source.
Here is the link: www.wikipedia.org
Wikipedia is mostly used to research information on almost anything in existence. It's purpose is to promote the growth of information and show the world the beauty of fair use.
Everyone uses Wikipedia. You can use it to research artists, movies, words, countries, dragons, history, animals, you name it. The options are almost limitless. I once searched for my old University and found so many hyperlinks to other sites pertaining to my university that I started to laugh. Wikipedia is mostly used for research, but people can be editors and input their own content into specific topics.
Wikipedia was formally launched in 2001 by two men named Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger. However, the idea of a centralized area where all knowledge is stored began with the library of Alexandria. Got to love the Greeks.
Personally I use Wikipedia whenever I need a quick rundown of information regarding a topic of interest. I use it to look up random historical events and often find myself clicking on links within pages whereupon I become lost in a sea of information. Professionally I try to steer clear of Wikipedia because our librarian is a Nazi when it comes to it. I do let students use it to look up information and find links, but I don't let them cite it as a source.
Here is the link: www.wikipedia.org
Museum Box
Museum Box
Museum Box allows you to create these interactive, three dimensional boxes on a topic of your choice. These little boxes are like time capsules that allow users to interact with a number of artifacts that pertain to the box. Users can add graphics, sound, and video to their boxes.
Museum box seems like a great tool for students of history. Museum box can be used to keep family tree records or record one's lineage. Upon further investigation of this website, it seems that people who wish to learn more about history or artifacts come here to learn. Teachers and educators can use this to create boxes on content and then have students use these boxes as a resource for projects or assignments.
Museum Box was created in 2008 by the East of England Broadband Network.
I have already begun to think about ways to incorporate Museum Box into my classroom. This has been the coolest thing I've seen on this assignment. I would love to use it for our biography unit. I can see using this to create book reports or literally book boxes over independent novel studies. This can be used on a personal level to keep track of family heritage.
Here is the website: http://museumbox.e2bn.org/
Museum Box allows you to create these interactive, three dimensional boxes on a topic of your choice. These little boxes are like time capsules that allow users to interact with a number of artifacts that pertain to the box. Users can add graphics, sound, and video to their boxes.
Museum box seems like a great tool for students of history. Museum box can be used to keep family tree records or record one's lineage. Upon further investigation of this website, it seems that people who wish to learn more about history or artifacts come here to learn. Teachers and educators can use this to create boxes on content and then have students use these boxes as a resource for projects or assignments.
Museum Box was created in 2008 by the East of England Broadband Network.
I have already begun to think about ways to incorporate Museum Box into my classroom. This has been the coolest thing I've seen on this assignment. I would love to use it for our biography unit. I can see using this to create book reports or literally book boxes over independent novel studies. This can be used on a personal level to keep track of family heritage.
Here is the website: http://museumbox.e2bn.org/
Wordle
Wordle
Wordle is a free website that allows you to create your own tag cloud. A tag cloud is a visible representation of text data. Tag clouds can be used to show frequency, popularity, size, or any quantifiable data. It can be used to educate students or to create expressive visuals on just about any form of vocabulary building.
Anyone can use Wordle to create Tag Clouds to express a visual representation of data. Wordle is mostly used for entertainment or creativity. It is more aesthetically pleasing to see a visual representation of text compared to seeing pie charts and bar graphs. This idea tends to attract users who are right brained thinkers.
Wordle was created by Jonathan Feinberg in 2011. I saw a picture of him wearing an ape mask and reading a book. He seems like a right brainer to me.
Wordle can be used to chart personal search queries on the internet to see what you like to look up the most. I have used Wordle in the classroom when we do vocabulary activities. I have had children put their papers into Wordle to see how repetitive their word choice is and how we can address spicing up writing. The kids have a lot of fun doing this activity and it provides a visual for them.
Here is a link: http://www.wordle.net/
Wordle is a free website that allows you to create your own tag cloud. A tag cloud is a visible representation of text data. Tag clouds can be used to show frequency, popularity, size, or any quantifiable data. It can be used to educate students or to create expressive visuals on just about any form of vocabulary building.
Anyone can use Wordle to create Tag Clouds to express a visual representation of data. Wordle is mostly used for entertainment or creativity. It is more aesthetically pleasing to see a visual representation of text compared to seeing pie charts and bar graphs. This idea tends to attract users who are right brained thinkers.
Wordle was created by Jonathan Feinberg in 2011. I saw a picture of him wearing an ape mask and reading a book. He seems like a right brainer to me.
Wordle can be used to chart personal search queries on the internet to see what you like to look up the most. I have used Wordle in the classroom when we do vocabulary activities. I have had children put their papers into Wordle to see how repetitive their word choice is and how we can address spicing up writing. The kids have a lot of fun doing this activity and it provides a visual for them.
Here is a link: http://www.wordle.net/
Slide Share
Slide Share
Slide share is a web 2.0 site that allows users to upload slides they have created and share ideas. It is a YouTube for slide shows and power points. It's overall purpose depends on who you ask, but it can serve to entertain as well as to educate.
Many people and institutions can use Slide Share to serve their needs. Students, professionals, businessmen, teachers, and entertainers can create slide shows on any number of topics. Considering that the slide shows are manipulated by the click of a button instead of having to repeat the listening process, as in the case of YouTube, people can watch the slides at their own pace. I've seen slide shows about politics, education, twitter, video games, and music lessons.
Slide Share was created by Rashmi Sinha in 2007. She was named amongst the world' top 10 women influencers in Web 2.0.
I can see using Slide Share as a form of entertainment and education. There were a lot of how to slide shows and others that offered inspiration. I even found one on how to prepare meals. Professionally this site can be used to upload power point presentations that I use in the classroom so that others can use them too. I can also find helpful slide shows on lesson plan ideas. I found many such slide shows on literary terms but I honestly wasn't blown away by them.
Here is a link: http://www.slideshare.net/
Slide share is a web 2.0 site that allows users to upload slides they have created and share ideas. It is a YouTube for slide shows and power points. It's overall purpose depends on who you ask, but it can serve to entertain as well as to educate.
Many people and institutions can use Slide Share to serve their needs. Students, professionals, businessmen, teachers, and entertainers can create slide shows on any number of topics. Considering that the slide shows are manipulated by the click of a button instead of having to repeat the listening process, as in the case of YouTube, people can watch the slides at their own pace. I've seen slide shows about politics, education, twitter, video games, and music lessons.
Slide Share was created by Rashmi Sinha in 2007. She was named amongst the world' top 10 women influencers in Web 2.0.
I can see using Slide Share as a form of entertainment and education. There were a lot of how to slide shows and others that offered inspiration. I even found one on how to prepare meals. Professionally this site can be used to upload power point presentations that I use in the classroom so that others can use them too. I can also find helpful slide shows on lesson plan ideas. I found many such slide shows on literary terms but I honestly wasn't blown away by them.
Here is a link: http://www.slideshare.net/
Jing
Jing
Jing is a free software product that allows users to capture screen shots of their computer or record video and post it online.
Jing is mostly used by students and educators to supplement student to teacher interaction out side of the classroom. Jing serves to promote student understanding of concepts at home in what is termed a "flipped classroom." A flipped classroom enables students to review the lesson that was taught at school from their home.
Jing was created by the TechSmith corporation in 2007. TechSmith focuses in online instructional tools and educational technology.
Jing can be used in the flipped classroom model by allowing me to record lessons each day and then posting them online for students who may need help recalling ideas or students who were absent from class that day. It can allow students a better opportunity to pace learning at their own speed. Personally I could use Jing to share lesson plan ideas and to upload how to documents for students. I mainly see Jing as a professional tool, not a personal one.
Here is the link: Jing
Jing is a free software product that allows users to capture screen shots of their computer or record video and post it online.
Jing is mostly used by students and educators to supplement student to teacher interaction out side of the classroom. Jing serves to promote student understanding of concepts at home in what is termed a "flipped classroom." A flipped classroom enables students to review the lesson that was taught at school from their home.
Jing was created by the TechSmith corporation in 2007. TechSmith focuses in online instructional tools and educational technology.
Jing can be used in the flipped classroom model by allowing me to record lessons each day and then posting them online for students who may need help recalling ideas or students who were absent from class that day. It can allow students a better opportunity to pace learning at their own speed. Personally I could use Jing to share lesson plan ideas and to upload how to documents for students. I mainly see Jing as a professional tool, not a personal one.
Here is the link: Jing
Flickr
Flickr
Flickr is a massive online photo database that allows users to share and upload images. It is like YouTube but with photographs. It's overall purpose is to share imagery amongst peers and promote individualism through photography. It is a bit more professional in the sense that people strive to upload images that inspire awe. People also like to post baby pictures on it which can get annoying.
Most people who use Flickr are above the age of 18, but the increasing proliferation of smart phones that have high resolution cameras has given younger audiences an opportunity to share their images more easily. The interest people have with Flickr is that it is very enticing to young photographers trying to make a name for themselves or for anyone who appreciates photography.
Flickr was created by Ludicorp in 2004 and was subsequently bought out by Yahoo in 2005.
I am not too big on photography and I personally use Facebook. Someone could use it for blogging and as a reference for a visual aid for some of their blog posts. Flickr could act as a visual that could help the reader see and not just hear. Professionally I believe that Flickr can be used for geography lessons or for meditation or just for inspiring creativity. It could also be used to begin writing prompts but I tend to stay away from the fluffy stuff.
Here's the link: www.flickr.com
Flickr is a massive online photo database that allows users to share and upload images. It is like YouTube but with photographs. It's overall purpose is to share imagery amongst peers and promote individualism through photography. It is a bit more professional in the sense that people strive to upload images that inspire awe. People also like to post baby pictures on it which can get annoying.
Most people who use Flickr are above the age of 18, but the increasing proliferation of smart phones that have high resolution cameras has given younger audiences an opportunity to share their images more easily. The interest people have with Flickr is that it is very enticing to young photographers trying to make a name for themselves or for anyone who appreciates photography.
Flickr was created by Ludicorp in 2004 and was subsequently bought out by Yahoo in 2005.
I am not too big on photography and I personally use Facebook. Someone could use it for blogging and as a reference for a visual aid for some of their blog posts. Flickr could act as a visual that could help the reader see and not just hear. Professionally I believe that Flickr can be used for geography lessons or for meditation or just for inspiring creativity. It could also be used to begin writing prompts but I tend to stay away from the fluffy stuff.
Here's the link: www.flickr.com
The YouTube Phenomenom
YouTube
Like Twitter, YouTube's purpose depends on who you ask. YouTube is mostly viewed as a source for entertainment and information. YouTube allows people to search for videos ranging from comedic stand up to how-to. It is mostly used for entertainment as the top rated videos are often funny and cute.
Everyone uses YouTube for their own personal reasons. Depending on your interest, you can search for gaming, news, sports, education, lifestyle, tech, DIY, and cooking. It is one of the best sites on the internet and the massive fluctuation that occurs with trending enables YouTube to stay current and relevant each and every day.
YouTube was created by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawd Karim in 2005. These three had history working for PayPal. Eventually Google bought it out for 1.65 billion and the rest is history.
I use YouTube in my classroom all the time. I use it to show foreshadowing, conflict, music, funny stuff that lightens the mood on Mondays, trivia, references, and as visuals to the lesson. Personally I follow many people on YouTube for news and how-to videos. I also use it for music when I want to hear a song. YouTube is amazing and children think it's really cool so whenever I show a YouTube video the kids go nuts. Be careful, make sure you watch the video before you show it to the class, I know a guy who was fired because there was something inappropriate in the video he showed.
Here is the link: www.youtube.com
Like Twitter, YouTube's purpose depends on who you ask. YouTube is mostly viewed as a source for entertainment and information. YouTube allows people to search for videos ranging from comedic stand up to how-to. It is mostly used for entertainment as the top rated videos are often funny and cute.
Everyone uses YouTube for their own personal reasons. Depending on your interest, you can search for gaming, news, sports, education, lifestyle, tech, DIY, and cooking. It is one of the best sites on the internet and the massive fluctuation that occurs with trending enables YouTube to stay current and relevant each and every day.
YouTube was created by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawd Karim in 2005. These three had history working for PayPal. Eventually Google bought it out for 1.65 billion and the rest is history.
I use YouTube in my classroom all the time. I use it to show foreshadowing, conflict, music, funny stuff that lightens the mood on Mondays, trivia, references, and as visuals to the lesson. Personally I follow many people on YouTube for news and how-to videos. I also use it for music when I want to hear a song. YouTube is amazing and children think it's really cool so whenever I show a YouTube video the kids go nuts. Be careful, make sure you watch the video before you show it to the class, I know a guy who was fired because there was something inappropriate in the video he showed.
Here is the link: www.youtube.com
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