Web 2.0 Tools

This week in CEDu533 we explored Web 2.0 tools. Our instructor created an amazing mind-map filled with tons of resources. I already shared it with my mom, who I know will in-turn, pass it along with the rest of her school. There are many different way to encourage student learning using these resources, but for me, they aren't always the best.

For high level mathematics, I find it often difficult to use some of the Web 2.0 tools with my students. It would be different if they each had their own laptop, but I can't justify the time spent going to the computer lab when using an overhead, or the Smartboard, is more efficient and just as effective. I understand that I should try to find appropriate opportunities throughout the semester to try to incorporate these learning tools, but it is also often difficult to have the computer lab open at the perfect time, for all classes. The Zoho tools like very useful when students are working on their collaborative fractal presentations, as is the Google.docs. The polleverywhere also looks like it could be a quick in-class or out of class way to get some feedback about their knowledge, provided they have a cell phone with text messages. I could also not assign this if students didn't have a cell phone plan which requires them to pay per text.

Another tool which I can see using is the Certificate Street. This website has so many different downloadable templates to choose from, far more than Word has. This could be useful for my extra-curricular programs and in class. Overall, there is so much out there that is available to teachers for help and to make some things easier. Just spend a little time looking and it might save some time or be the best thing for your student.s