Web 2.0 Tools

A.J. Phillips

Educational Technology

Dr. Benton

Web 2.0 Classroom Tools

 

 

I am writing this Web 2.0 Tool blog, to discuss the ten tools from "Web 2.0: Cool Tools for Schools," these are ten tools that I would use inside my own classroom.  I believe these ten tools would help my students inside and outside the classroom, and help them gain better grades.  This blog gives a short synopsis of each tool and how it would be used in my classes.  

1. Create A Graph
This website tool helps students create their own bar, line, area, pie, or x,y graph.  With this tool students are able to create their graphs and decide how the graph will look and how the information will be projected to view.  It also allows students to learn how to properly place labels on their graph, how to create minimum and maximum values.  This tool would come into use for the class I teach, because I will be teaching math and physical education, and my students will need to learn how to create a graph that is legible.  This tool would also be used for the students to create a graph for homework and create less stress on them while they are doing the homework.  The graph would be used in class on group projects, students could do research and find their date, then create a graph using that data.

2. Debate Graph
Debate graph is a tool that allows the class to participate in a group debate that the main topic is given by the teacher.  When the students want to state their opinion they can create a new tab and then start their discussion.  This graph only shows the main tabs that follow from the main topic, and the students can collaborate together under these tabs.  This tool would be useful in my classroom, because I would have students use this when discussing different exercises.  Students would have to state the exercises and debate with each other on which exercises are better and also which ones don’t work as well.

3. Sync In
Sync In, is a tool that allows the teacher to teach their students online, by showing them how to do their work.  While working in this tool, students are able to interact with their teacher and ask questions when they don’t understand the material.  The teacher and students are shown on different colors on the screen, so you know who is writing, it also allows students to rewind and replay all activity that is done.  In my classroom this tool would be used, and if students didn’t understand everything or forgot how to do a problem, they could go look it up and replay the instructions.  While using this tool I would mark important information, like an equation or directions, if the students needed help they could ask, and this tool would only be viewable to my class only and wouldn’t have to worry about students talking to someone they do not need to.

4. Addict-o-matic

This tool is like your standard web search engine, but after you do you search it comes up with videos, Bing and Google blog news.  It brings up the newest information that is available.  You can customize the resources that show up on the web page, from Google, Ask.com, etc.  When you use this tool, you don’t have to look through pages of information, it brings the most important information about your topic.  In my classroom, this tool would be used when students would have to create a presentation on an equation we are going over in math, exercises or health facts that we go over in physical education.  When I give an assignment, students could use this tool and use information that they get from an online magazine or a video on the topic.

5. Simple Diagrams

Simple diagram is a tool that creates a diagram that shows simple instructions.  This tool is to help you maintain your thinking and help you when you begin doing your work.  This tool is a fun way to show instructions, and to let your audience know what your goals are.  I would use this when I teach a skill in a physical education class; I would make a diagram for the students to follow because I wouldn’t be at each station every second.  I would also use this tool, when I wanted to make my classes follow instructions, have them turn in work or go read the book and answer questions over what they read.

6. Lino-it

This tool is having a bulletin board on your computer, you can place sticky notes, pictures, and due dates.  This is an important tool to use, because it allows you to keep track of all your assignments and all of your plans for the day.  You can even place video’s on your board so you can watch them and has a calendar so you can put due dates for everything on there.  I would use this in my classroom, by pulling it up showing what homework there is or when there is a test.  I would let my students use this tool so they could plan their day and to make sure they finish their homework for multiple classes.

7. eQuizzer
This tool is for making quizzes and tests for the students to take after completing a section out of the book.  This can make a test with multiple choice, true or false, or short answer and so on, it can grade the test after it is submitted.  When you create your test, you place answers that will be used to grade the test, unless you use short answers or have the students write an essay.  I would sue this tool in my classroom, so students could take the test at their own time, and get their test results after they take their test.  I would also have students take the test in class, so each student takes the same test but create it to where the questions are not in the same order, to make sure students do not cheat.

8. ThinkFree Online
Think free online, is a tool that is free to download and allows you to type a word document in Microsoft word without downloading Microsoft office.  Students are allowed to type a paper while they are at their own homes, and can print or work on that document when they get to school.  You can create a free account and create Word Documents, Spreadsheets and PowerPoint’s. I would use this tool in my classroom by having the class create a group PowerPoint over exercises, and when they have to present their project they wouldn’t have to save it to a flash drive, they could pull it up and do their presentation.  If my students are using this tool, I would allow them to go print their papers off if they forgot to bring it to class. 

9. LastPass
Last Pass is a tool that will remember usernames and passwords that you have created and stores them in a safe place.  When you use this tool, you can check your passwords and usernames where ever you are and at any time.  This tool is secure and you don’t have to worry about losing any important information or having to worry about anyone stealing your information.  I would use this tool so my students could remember their username and passwords when they have to create an account to take tests or for the chat room the class has.  This tool would also be useful for my students after they graduate so they could remember any password or usernames they would have to create for work, and if they are at school and forgot a password they can look it up and get credit for class. 

10. Shmoop
This tool is study material made up by professionals to help students learn the material.  It lets students study different subjects from school, and also lets them make flashcards and get material for online tests (such as SAT, ACT, and AP classes).  This tool gives students the material from class but also shows examples and gives them step by step instructions to figure out the problems.  I believe this tool would be useful for my students, because if they don’t understand the material they could use this tool and use examples and exercises to figure out how to do the problem.  I would want them to use this tool not only for my class but to help them in their other classes if they don’t understand the material, I would have assignments to make all the students use this tool at least once to get them use to it.