Web 2.0 in the Classroom

The Who, What, Why, and How of Online Tools for Learning January 2010 Web 2.0 in the ClassroomIntroduction Mary MehsikomerNetwork Coordinator NW-LINKS/Region 1mary@region1.k12.mn.us(218) 284-3117 http://webclassroomresources.wikispaces.com/

AgendaWhoThe Students Why 21st Century SkillsWhat ToolsHowIdeas and Activities Safety

Who The Students Net Generation, Generation Y, Millenials, Digital Natives, iGeneration, ADHD Generation (your own term here)Constantly connectedMulti-taskers Instant gratification Internet firstComfortable with online relationshipsWork in teamsGames

Why Web 2.0?21st Century Skills The Framework Information Literacy/FluencyPersuasionCommunicationCollaborationProblem solving/critical thinking Creativity

What The ToolsInformation Management Blogs WikisSocial NetworkingVideoconferencing Photos Creative Commons School district tools Online resources Cloud computing

How Ideas and ActivitiesOpen letters to leaders and policy makers Digital storytelling Book trailers Collaborative problem-solving Online discussions Rating the reliability of sources Social bookmarking Effective searching

Tips for TeachersUse Web 2.0 tools in the context of a projectExperiment before using with students Set maximum privacy settingsThink twice before friending students Discuss with technology coordinatorMonitor submissions to blogs and wikis Let parents know you are working with students online Encourage parental awareness of online safetyDont rely on the filter to block undesirable contentLet students help you

Safety An Educational OpportunityTo Facebook or not to Facebook, that is the question Privacy Cyberbullying Predators Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my Open source and walled gardens Laws Filters

Safety Tips Make sure students are given instruction on Internet safetyExplain and enforce school district Internet Safety and Acceptable Use Policies Strongly encourage not posting personal informationUse avatars and aliases instead of photos and real names where appropriateSet privacy settings at highest levels and monitor Model good Internet behavior Have a plan Diamonds are forever and so is most information onlineRemember.Students are already connected and using Web 2.0 toolsThey will use them with or without our guidanceWhen children are young, we teach them how to cross the street safely Dont we want to do the same thing when they are navigating the Internet?

THANK YOU!