Web 2.0
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Web 2.0 is the name given to the new, modern, changing Web where more emphasis is put on collaboration, editing, interactivity, and the sharing of ideas (see sidebar for video explanation). It includes the trend towards social networking sites such as My Space, Face book, and YouTube. It also includes the explosion of blogging sites throughout the net. This trend is perfect for online teaching and should be considered for any future online courses. Today's students are familiar with this type of communication and find it fun and exciting to use in an online course. It makes them become more active in their own learning. Some of these sites are good substitutes for discussion posting, while others bring a whole new element to the communication of ideas. But be sure to include a thorough explanation of how to use these sites as there might be a generation gap with older students who could be less familiar with the procedure. Supply your own blog at the start for students to use and observe. [for a general resources on all Web 2.0 tools, see Weblogs Compendium] |
Blogs |
- Blogs are personal web pages that become journal-like with the ability to include graphics, comments from students, and links (sometimes when blogs are used in education, they are referred to as "edublogging") - check out the Cuyamaca Library Blog
- Some blogs are open to all, some are restricted to only designated users (generally, unlike wikis, blogs are not open to others for editing)
- You can create a class blog or a multi-class blog bringing together many sections of the same course (even classes from Grossmont) - Classroom Example
- You can link all these blogs from within Bb
- See sidebar for some blog-making sites; see Useful Resources for blog content search engines
- Creating Blog Tutorial Videos:
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Wikis |
- These are Web tools that allow for writing and editing by many people simultaneously. Anyone can add or make changes to what is presented (side sidebar for video)
- The instructor (or group moderator) can track users for any problems and can delete inappropriate content
- These work well with group projects (for both planning and the finished presentation)
- Wikis can also be used as a replacement for discussion boards. As with blogs, wikis can be used for multiple sections of the same class (creating a large group cohesiveness)
- Link the wikis from within Bb
- See sidebar how to set up your wiki
- As an example, check out the Cuyamaca Online Teaching wiki
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Social Networking |
- These sites allow you to develop your own personal page with personal biographical information for sharing and communicating with others
- Many students already have pages on MySpace and Facebook
- You might give students a project/portfolio to place on their social networking page and link this to Bb
- See sidebar for some social networking sites
- Cuyamaca's Living Room: "Located on the 2nd floor of the LRC, this room contains 12 computers that
may be used to support coursework or to engage in social networking (e.g. FaceBook or
MySpace). This room also provides comfortable furniture for studying or laptop use as well as
round tables for group work.
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RSS Feed |
- Real Simple Syndication allows you to subscribe to many blogs, iPod lectures, etc. so that all updates will be automatically uploaded (fed) to a computer (freeing you from constant checking)
- This is a great way to simplify tracking of any changes to important sites for both instructor and student - and a great way to bring together many sources (for example, tracking all student blogs in one class or topics from various newspapers)
- Auto download iPod lectures to students' computers
- Use del.icio.us to easily update the web link lists you give students (see Social Networking sidebar)
- First you set up a feedreader or aggregator (see RSS Feed Readers sidebar), then you subscribe to specific feeds
- For an introduction to RSS, see Fagan Finder
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Personal Web Pages |
- Students can provide links to their own Web pages, Facebook or MySpace page, or they can use the home page feature in Bb
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