Using web 2.0 tools in the Science classroom

Pascale's PowerPoint presentation.

Using web 2.0 tools in Science.pptx (457,4 kB)

What is web 2.0 anyway?

When the world wide web was first created only people with a significant level of technical knowlege could publish to it. To add content to the world wide web you initially needed knowledge of programming or at least the ability to use software such as Dreamweaver or Frontpage to create a website. The web has changed. It is now possible for people with little technical knowledge to set up free websites quickly and easily and to publish content on-line in a variety of formats including text, images, video and sound. Increasingly there is now a shift towards "in the clouds" computing where content and even software applications are no longer stored on an individual's computer but on servers somewhere in the world.

 

Web 2.0 terminology

Blog: short for web log. An on-line journal. Each entry is dated. Visitors can post comments but generally cannot modify the posts made by the author of the blog.

Wiki: a webpage that can be edited by multiple authors. 

Social networking site: these are sites like facebook, Ning and myspace. Each user sets up an on-line space and "friends" can visit the space,  post comments and interact in a variety of ways.

Podcasts and vodcasts: A sound or video file is uploaded to the web for others to download and view or listen to. Some sites allow you to subscribe to a podcast.

Social bookmarking: this a bit like sharing your "favourites" list (your list of favourite website).

Link to a comprehensive list of web 2.0 tools that have applications in the classroom.

Staying safe on-line

For teachers the most important issue relating to web 2.0 tools is the safety of their students. Before using web 2.0 tools do your homework.

* Check who has access to the content you or your students post on-line and use password protection.
* Check your school policy with regard to the use of web 2.0 applications.
* Teach your students about on-line safety.

Examples of applications of web 2.0 tools in Science. 
Using Web 2.docx (15,2 kB)