There are so many online resources available for use by educators to participate in Web 2.0 technology that is was difficult to select one so I have decided to review three as I couldn't decide which one was more interesting and useful as I immerse myself in the changing world of Web 2.0.
The first resource I have found is a blog entry on Mashable Social Media. It is titled 'For Students, What is the 'Facebook Effect' on Grades?'
According to their website, Mashable is a blog that specialises in social media news but also covers other 21st century new media issues. According to their website, Mashable is the largest independent online news site dedicated to covering digital culture, social media and technology.It is one of the most visited online news communities. I believe this makes them a reliable and credible source on information about Web 2.0 technologies.
Mashable’s blog entry explains the pros and cons of Facebook use and other social media sites. It provides positive and negatives about students’ interactions in social media and provides some interesting facts in graphical form.
The graphic could be used as a teaching resource, as well as a staff resource in professional development. I see its benefit as a springboard for further discussion with teachers who have a ‘block’ about using Facebook in education. In a classroom setting it would be a valuable tool to explain to students that there is more to Facebook than ‘liking’ their friends comments and tagging each other in photos.
In summary, the blog says that the effects of Facebook and SNS are inconclusive in being disruptive to students and their education. My belief is that if students are taught ‘time and place’ they will know how to use SNS appropriately and as a reward for study, or as a way of relaxing, rather than as the obsession that some adolescents seem to have with posting their every move.
Via: OnlineEducation.net
The second resource that is useful for educators is the Wikispace titled: Web2.0CoolToolsforSchools. This is a collection of Web 2.0 tools that teachers and students can access easily, all in one place. There is a wide range of categories to choose from and these are logically set out and easy to access. Within each category there are many programs and websites to choose from. For example, under the Audio Tools tab there are over 30 options. Each of these tools has a short introduction and a hyperlink to their website or program.
According to their news ribbon, CoolToolsForSchools has won the MEROLT award for Exemplary Online Learning Award in 2011 and was nominated for 2010 Edublogs Award for Best Educational Wiki so it a reliable source of information.
CoolToolsForSchool does not require a sign in to access these tools and it is free to use. There is also a Teachers Resource section that provides various other resources. The creators have obviously spent a lot of time sourcing and indexing these tools for collaboration with other educators.
Teachers and educators that are unsure of how to participate in the world of Web 2.0 but know that they need to to gain an understanding of the new media literacies available would find this a valuable tool to get begin with. I can see a lot of value in accessing this Wikispace to utilise Web 2.0 in the classroom. It seems a whole lot easier than trying to find tools that are suitable when you may not even know what you are looking for to start with.
Finally, the third online resource that is worth investigating is Facebook For Educuator's Guide. This resource is different to the CoolToolsForSchools and Mashable in that it is a one stop website that to educators the benefits of using Facebook in education. It is authored by 3 experts in the field of social networking.
This website has factual and professional information that could be used by educators as a resource to guide them about Facebook and social networking policies in their schools. It also provides some definitions of the language used by Facebook to assist in educating non-users. In addition, there are tips on how educators can incorporate Facebook into their lessons.
Education is about preparing our students for the real world. Social networking sites such as Facebook are here to stay and one of the major players in Web 2.0 technology (at this point in time, anyway) so it is up to us as educators to understand the implications and the intricacies of it. Facebook has currently over 500 million users - teachers and educators need to be up to speed with this popular new digital media.
It's not clear where the short video above fits in to what you have written. However, perhaps in combination with parts of the South Park video Jimmy refers to elsewhere in the blog, it might make a very stimulating resource for promoting discussion among professional peers and in class. It's very interesting how startling the video is as it highlights the differences between some of our face-to-face social conventions and emerging online conventions. Helen
ReplyDeleteHi Helen, thanks for your comment. I can definitely see what you mean so I will find an alternative clip that is more relevant. I liked this clip as it made m think about how our ways of communicating have changed and we don't think of them as unusual. Debbie
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