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
Using RSS
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.
Click to read feeds.
Select “expanded”
or “list.”
As you scroll past
articles, they are
marked as “read.”
Click to view
actual page.
Using RSS
Search within your own feeds.
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
• Newspaper:
– Pick and choose what
you want to read.
– Additional material is
presented that may
broaden your views or
knowledge.
– Serendipity.
• RSS Feeds:
– Pick and choose what
you want to read.
– Will not encounter
anything other than
what you selected.
– In control of content.
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.
Using RSS in Ebsco Host
Click to enter. Right-click the RSS feed
link and select “save shortcut” and
paste into feed reader.
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
http://www.youtube.com/GoogleReaderHelp#p/u/4/6mY6O-_DNsk
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.
•
•
•
•
Audacity Wiki
Do brainstorming with the class.
Write essays.
Write a literary work (e.g., a play).
Develop classroom rules or constitution.
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:
• E-mail.
• 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 Voice
Times 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 projectbased 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.
Portal in Blog Form
– 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
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