Monday, 28 September 2015

How web 2.0 changed classical lessons

The main difference between the Web we all know with Web 2.0 is that it is not longer used only for reading, but for creating and uploading content as well, i.e. there is a strongly user participation. Networking sites (Facebook, Instagram), Blogs, MySpace, are some examples of Web 2.0 sites. In their article Teaching with Web 2.0 Technologies: Benefits, Barriers and Best Practices, Yun-Jo An, Bosede Aworuwa, Glenda Ballard & Kevin Williams point out that the major benefits of using Web 2.0 technologies in teaching include interaction, communication and collaboration; knowledge creation; ease of use and flexibility; and writing and technology skills.

We have decided to make a project in which students will learn about the story of rock and roll in general, and the biography of the most long-lasting bands. In order to do so, we selected two web 2.0 pages: Mindomo and Timetoast

Students will use Mindomo to create a mind map about the story of rock; they will read some sources and select the facts that are relevant to create the mind map. Then, they will share it with their partners by copying the URL on Edmodo. After that, the rest of the class will be assigned some specific bands to create a timeline using Timetoast.

The pictures below are sample activities we have created using the webpages suggested, so that students will be able to see how both the mind map and the timeline look like:


Web 2.0 allows teachers and students to be connected beyond the barriers of the classroom. Thus, if you are a teacher, or you are about to become one, you need to accept that web 2.0 tools are here to stay, and as fast as we employ them we will be able to see how learning comes alive in the classroom.

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