Web 2.0 is one of the most useful technologies that a teacher can use in the classroom. Web 2.0 allows people from all over to collaborate through social media, blogs, wikis, and so many others. Blogs and wikis can be seen in most classrooms today and they are some of the most useful applications that a teacher can have to get their students involved. Wikis allow students to collaborate on assignments, like the one due next week. Students are able to work collectively to produce a singular idea. Blogs also allow students creatively answer questions that teachers assign, this blog being exhibit A. Mobile devices could be used to access these applications but it is not ideal due to the fact that students could also be using their cell phones to just text their friends or play games. Instead of mobile devices, the students could use tablets with only the select applications already installed on the device. Electronic whiteboards would be ideal for the teachers to use because they could use the whiteboards to show the students the program.
The website that I chose to review is called Wikispace. This website allows the collaboration between teachers and students but in a more privatized environment. This allows for a more secure environment for the students. With the private environment teachers can control where the students go within the website. With this website teachers can create a different Wiki for each chapter which would allow for easier organization.
This website also allows for students and teachers to share documents, files, and videos. This website comes with visual editors which will get the students used to editing documents. This website is also incorporates other websites like Blackboard and Google Apps. With the extended reach of these websites, students will be able to be inclusive with all of their academics, documents, and assignments.
With our concept mapping assignment, I have been able to figure out how to make a new type of study guide. The concept mapping also allowed me to figure out how to make relationships between dates, issues, and people in a visual representation. Next time I could make my concept map have more pictures or better color coordination but overall I believe my concept map is pretty easy to follow. In my future career I will use concept mapping to link together historical events or make study guides interesting. I could also use concept maps with homework assignments by leaving some of the circles blank and having students fill in the blanks with their answers.
"Blogs and wikis can be seen in most classrooms today." I wish. I just attended a presentation where the author researched blogging among english teacher leaders and found that while the teachers themselves blogged, most did not have their students blog. Hopefully you next generation of teachers will embrace online writing to a greater degree.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of leaving blanks in a concept map as a study guide.
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