Communication & Collaboration in the 21st Century Classroom

According to Wikipedia, Web 2.0 is aimed to facilitate creativity, collaboration, and sharing among users. In the classroom, Web 2.0 may include Video Conferencing, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, Google Apps, Video and Image Sharing, Social Bookmarking, and Social Networking. The interactive nature of the tools and applications described below support the Web 2.0 definition and provide opportunities for students to collaborate and contribute in an engaging learning environment

Video Conferencing

Skype – One-to-One Video Conferencing

http://www.skype.com

· Install required

· Create user account

MeBeam – Video Conferencing with a Group

http://www.mebeam.com/

· No install required

· Visit site, create a name for a room, share name with participants

ooVoo – Up to 6 Video Conferencing Participants

http://www.oovoo.com

· Install required

· Create user account

Dimdim – One Video Broadcast / 20 Viewers

http://www.dimdim.com

· Create user account

· Install required to share desktop, whiteboard, or presentation

· Chat options for viewers

USTREAM – One Video Broadcast / Unlimited Viewers

http://www.ustream.tv

· Create user account

· Chat options for viewers

· Web-based (no install required)

Blog – an easy to create website usually designed with the purpose of soliciting feedback that is maintained by an individual user

Blogs in Plain English – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N0auugHbJg

Edublogs – http://edublogs.org

Blogger – https://www.blogger.com

Wiki – an easy to create website with any number of interlinked pages for the purpose of collaboration, “What I Know Is”

Wikis in Plain English – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY

Wikispaces – http://www.wikispaces.com

Wetpaint – http://www.wetpaint.com

Audio Podcasting

Audacity – free, open source software for recording and editing audio files in a variety of formats; http://audacity.sourceforge.net

Visit podcasting page for more detailed information.

Google Apps

View the presentation below on creating and sharing documents and presentations online.

 

Video and Image Sharing

Flickr – online photo storage using your Yahoo id; images can be shared or kept private; http://www.flickr.com / http://www.flickr.com/photos/cherylmck

Photoshop Express – online photo editing and storage; images can be shared or kept private; https://www.photoshop.com/express/landing.html / https://www.photoshop.com/user/cherylmcknight

Animoto – like photostory but created and stored online; educator accounts are available; http://animoto.com

You Tube – http://www.youtube.com

Teacher Tube – http://teachertube.com

Social Bookmarks

Diigo – http://www.diigo.com

Delicious – https://secure.delicious.com/register

Digg – http://digg.com

Social Networking

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com

Twitter – http://twitter.com

Poll Everywhere – http://www.polleverywhere.com; create a poll and users can respond via cell phone or web; collects data real-time

Examples & More

BISD Technology in Action – http://birdvilletech.wikispaces.com; reflects the 2008-09 school year

Accelerating Class Teach-nology – http://actbisd.ning.com; reflects most BISD Summer 2009 Training

Webtools4U2Use – http://webtools4u2use.wikispaces.com