Web 2.0 continued

I learned that web 2.0 is being used more and more by todays educators to get kids "hooked" on learning. There are so many ways that it can be used and so many different websites, technological tools, and tricks.

Largely, the effectiveness of web 2.0 will depend on the creativity and ambition of the educator as far as application in the classroom. Before we can apply the concept of web 2.0, we must be aware of the different resources that are available to incorporate technology. What I will do over the next few days, is talk about the things I am learning from the JPPSS Instructional Technology Integration Institute that I found especially useful to my specific content area (music); or that I found to be extra useful information in general.

First of all, to further explain the whole concept, web 2.0 is meant to get kids actively involved in learning. For example, the internet can be used: to teach an interactive lesson; allow kids to interact with other people (kids, classes, etc.); share information like lessons or homework with students; or even get them involved in writing curriculum!

One of the best lessons I learned today was how to use the internet for my own professional develpment. I can gain more and more knowledge of web 2.0, by interacting with colleagues in places like twitter.com and through blogging. In fact, no sooner did I get released from a session with lesliefisher did I immediately find internet access, start a blog, and tweet that I had a blog and my followers who are educators should check it out. I instantly connected with another JPPSS educator who was also in attendance at the Institute and who directed her followers on twitter to my blog through a process called Retweet (abreviated RT). Now, I have access to dozens of other music educators who are successfully executing web 2.0 in their classrooms and who can share their knowledge with me, and make my job easier. So get on Twitter!

Other web tools that can be used are Google , youtube, Wikis, skype, and of course facebook and myspace. The premise behind the concept is that we are connecting kids through the media that they eat, sleep, and breathe everyday.

As I mentioned before, the best thing I got out of the technology integration sessions was the use of blogging. Check out this Louisiana teacher's effort to use web 2.0 with her class. http://pnaugle.blogspot.com/ More to come.