Using Web 2.0 Tools in Learning Application of Current and Emerging Technologies in the Classroom Dr. Steve Broskoske Misericordia University

Outline Debriefing on collaboration assignments. RSS and Google Reader: Revolutionizing the way you learn Wiki: Collaborative web pages Blog: First and very versatile Web 2.0 tool

Debriefing on Collaboration Assignments

Debriefing How easy was it to collaborate? What was involved? Which tool promotes successful and easy collaboration better? What insights did you gain?

RSS and Google Reader: Revolutionizing the Way You Learn

Introduction to RSS Feeds In the “old days” we searched for information… Now, with RSS feeds and an aggregator, information searches for us.

Introduction to RSS Feeds RSS: Refers to real simple syndication. – Web pages and other online communication may offer an RSS feed. – Instead of searching and continually visiting Websites, you subscribe to a site’s feed. – Then you use an aggregator (a reader that gathers information from the various feeds and presents the latest material in summary form.

Introduction to RSS Feeds Aggregators: – Internet Explorer: Look under your favorites. Disadvantage: The feeds are viewable only on one computer. – Google Reader: Log on using your Gmail account. Advantage: The feeds can be viewed from any PC or other device online.

Finding RSS Feeds Sources to find feeds: – Watch for indicator on any Web page: – Press “add subscription” in Google Reader and type search terms. – Find feed indicator & options in Ebsco Host. – In Google, search for: Terms RSS Into the future, finding a good feed will be more important than finding a good journal. Google

Click and enter search terms to find a feed. Using RSS

Right-click and select “copy shortcut” to obtain the RSS address for Google Reader. Using RSS

Click “add a subscription” and paste (control-V) the address of the feed in this box. Using RSS

Click “new items” to only show articles you have not read. As you scroll past articles, they are marked as “read.” Select “expanded” or “list.” Click to read feeds. Click to view actual page. Using RSS

Search within your own feeds. Using RSS

Ways to Use RSS Feeds Teachers use RSS to stay current on student updates of online work (Wiki’s, blogs). Search for news feeds: – news.Google.com Stay current on blogs: – RSS a “watchlist” at Technorati. Google alerts: – RSS to learn new Web pages on particular subjects.

Ways to Use RSS Feeds Locate pre-defined topic searches: – MoreOver.com Create a Daily X Page: – pageFlakes.com – NetVibes.com PageFlakes.com NetVibes.com

RSS Issue RSS Feeds: – Pick and choose what you want to read. – Will not encounter anything other than what you selected. – In control of content. Newspaper: – Pick and choose what you want to read. – Additional material is presented that may broaden your views or knowledge. – Serendipity.

Teachers and RSS To be effective lifelong learners, students: – Will need to be able to use RSS feeds. – Will need to be able to manage information. A teacher needs be a model and guide to help students locate and manage relevant information. – Teachers should help students populate their aggregators.

Click to enter. Right-click the RSS feed link and select “save shortcut” and paste into feed reader. Using RSS in Ebsco Host

Assignments In preparation for using many of the tools on Google, sign up for a GMail account at Google. Set up Google Reader (or other aggregator), add several sources of information, and begin to explore its functionality. YouTube Videos on Using Google Reader Google Reader use video

Wiki: Collaborative Web Pages

What Is Wiki? Wiki – Comes from the Hawaiian term, wiki wiki (meaning "quick").

What Is Wiki? Wiki is a “quick” Web page that readers of the Web page can edit (make permanent changes to). Press the edit button to make changes to the Web page for everyone to see. First Wiki was created in 1995.

Reasons for Validity of Wikipedia Everyone uses it. Many editors. Becoming a trusted source Easy to track the editors and remove vandalism. APA (version 6) recognizes the following sources: Newsgroup, online forum comment, electronic mailing list message, web log post, video file.

Students Interfacing with Wikipedia Use Wikipedia as one source among others. Ideally WP contains facts and not opinions: – WP is not the defense of a thesis, it is a gathering of facts. Emphasize the skill of evaluating with students. Approach WP as an already collection of data/facts. Use WP as a place for students to contribute their work.

Teachers and Wiki Consider teacher role: – Democratic process of knowledge construction. – Students negotiate: Meaning, relevance, wording, accuracy. – Students learn to respect: Intellectual property. Work and ideas of others.

When/Why Would Teachers Use Wiki? Facilitates collaboration. – Teachers: compile and share best practices. Allows students to learn from the work of other students (along with edits by the teacher). Enhances student motivation. – Work can be made public (class, school, or everyone). Can provide more student control and independence in learning activity.

When/Why Would Teachers Use Wiki? Can invite contributors/editors from outside of the class. Allows student to demonstrate work over time (deter online plagiarism). Allows students to participate in a meaningful, real-life project. Facilitates construction of knowledge.

Ways to Use Wiki’s Create your own class Wikipedia (knowledge base). – Create an online text. – Present info. on countries studied. – Write class notes. Do brainstorming with the class. Write essays. Write a literary work (e.g., a play). Develop classroom rules or constitution. Audacity Wiki

Student Wiki Use: Dr. Steve’s Personal Research Students are: – Excited to try the new technology. – Excited about producing a meaningful, usable product (being producers of information). – Appreciate a break from traditional assignment formats.

Demo Dr. Steve’s Sandbox At WikiSpaces.com

Tracking Student Work Methods of tracking student work: 1)View history. 2)RSS feed in my browser: For edits. For discussion.

1. See the RSS feeds that are available. 2. Right-click the RSS feed link you desire, select “copy shortcut,” and paste into your feed reader.

Examine Examine the following items online: – History of edits. – RSS feed. – Communication: . Discussion. Music Methods Wiki

Wiki Examples: Wiki for Children WikiJunior.org simple.wikipedia.org (1,000 basic words)

Wiki Examples: Wiki Resources WikiBooks.org WikiMedia.org WikiMedia Foundation Projects

Wiki Examples: School Wiki Examples PlanetMath.org Westwood Schools Literature Issues

Assignment Collaboratively, let's create a usable resource to present information about current and emerging technologies to teachers. – Log onto our course Wiki and get membership approved. – Let's add 2 sections to the Wiki: Wiki. Blog. Class Wiki

Assignment – Let's research and present related information such as the following: Uses in the classroom. Online examples. Benefits/drawbacks. Best practices. Tips. Pedagogy. – Let's use the discussion section of the Wiki (and other communication media as needed) and collaboratively create a cohesive product.

Blog: First and Very Versatile Web 2.0 Tool

Blogs blog: Shortened form of the word weblog. Blogs are Web-based journal pages which are added one at a time, with the most recent on top. Blog posts normally allow readers (many times members) to comment on each post, opening the possibility for dialogue.

How Are Blogs Being Used? Provide content/news/information. Collaboration space. Allow people to interact with the news. Update information on software/hardware products. Citizens VoiceTimes Leader

Ways to Use Blogs Students can: – Post material to show/document their progress on a project. – Post material that they learn as they research a topic. – Make comments about each other’s writing/work (peer reviews). Promotes critical, analytical, and reflective thinking.

Ways to Use Blogs Teachers can: – Create a online book discussion. – Have students reflect on progress of a project- based learning activity. – Post examples of student work for parents. – Build a class newsletter. – Have students comment on news items or issues. (Richardson, 2009)

Ways to Use Blogs Extends classroom walls outside of classroom and encourages conversation about learning. Supports Constructivist learning. Allows students to build skills to communicate in a social network. Blogs combine both reflection and social interaction.

Ways to Use Blogs Class portals. – Post syllabus, assignments, handouts, presentations, notes, class rules, etc. Online filing cabinets for student work. – Assignments organized in one place, date stamped, easy to share, allows reflection. E-portfolios (some capabilities are limited). Collaborative space. (Richardson, 2009) Penn State E-portfolios Portal in Blog Form

Searching for Blogs Technorati.com: – Search for blogs. – Search through blog posts. Technorati.com

Teachers and Blogs Writing Assignment ends. Monologue. Thesis. Written for teacher. Blogs Blog continues. Conversation. Synthesis. Written for world. Blogs allow a teacher to teach new writing skills, support Constructivist learning, support reflection, and support social interaction.

Assignment Set up a personal blog through BlackBoard. In this blog, reflect throughout the course on: – Your experience with the new technologies. – What technologies you may incorporate into your classroom. – How your teaching will need to change (new methods, strategies, and pedagogy) in order to use the new technologies in your classroom.

Next Week Assimilating Social Learning into Your Classroom – Social bookmarking: We all help organize the Web – Twitter: Staying connected with your network – Digg – Flickr: Sharing graphics – Social networking for young children