Web 2.0

Web 2.0 tools give students the power to create, communicate, collaborate, and innovate.  Back when I was in school (Ok, so I graduated high school in 2006, so it wasn't that long ago), students gave a presentation or book report to their classmates, the teacher assessed it, and hardly anyone asked a question or gave a comment.  Now, that same presentation can be presented to the entire world.  Yes, Web 2.0 tools make it possible for students to share their ideas beyond their classroom walls.  Do you know what happens when an idea is allowed to go beyond an audience of twenty tired students?  Let's take a look at the presentation or report constructed and delivered via web 2.0 tools.

Our student (Let's call them Bob) is creating a presentation on how pollution is affecting the aquatic life of organisms in the Pacific Ocean.  Bob, by the way, goes to school on the East coast.  To gather information, not only does Bob use the proper books and online articles, but he arranges a Google Hangout with a Marine Biologist from UCLA.  This primary source is priceless in providing Bob first hand accounts of what is occurring in the oceans 20 minutes away from his lab.  The Marine Biologist also sends Bob a few of his presentations, and allows his to Skype in for some of his lectures.

As Bob drafts the bulk of his presentation using Google Slides, he shares the presentation with both his teacher, and the biologist, so both may provide critical feedback.  This back and forth goes on for a small bit until it's time for Bob to present his finding to his classmates, and beyond.

Bob presents his work to the class while his classmates have the web 2.0 tool, "Today's Meet" open on their own devices.  They are allowed to log any thoughts, comments, or questions into the back channel conversation, and Bob will address any questions at the end of his presentation.  Students are encouraged to engage in the conversation and offer feedback and ask questions.  The back channel conversation is saved so that both the teacher and Bob can review its contents.  This could give Bob some ideas for fine tuning his presentation even further, and it can give the teacher some insight on how to assess the presentation.

After Bob has fine tuned his presentation based on student and teacher feedback, it can be shared with an even greater audience.  Bob can post a link to it on his own blog, or the teacher can link to it on his or hers.  It can be shared instantly on Twitter, Facebook, or other Social Media tools.  From here, an even greater conversation can be sparked.  Perhaps Bob has made suggestions in his presentation that teach others how to conserve and protects our oceans, and scientists at the Boston Aquarium wish to use his presentation for educational purposes.  The possibilities for Bob and his presentation are really endless, due to the fact that he utilized web 2.0 tools.  Bob is now able to engage in authentic learning experiences that weave beautifully with the real world.  He is contributing to society, not simply to his science classroom.

Here is the Prezi Presentation I saw a while back that inspired this post on the use of web 2.0 tools.