Managing E-Learning 2013: Assignment 1, Reflection 2, Week 3

Voki- Press play!

Create your own today- http://www.voki.com/

Web 1.0 and Web 2.0

It is important to understand the differences between both Web 1.0 and Web 2.0. Firstly, Web 1.0 in the simplest terms can be known as a 'read only' web. This means that the sole creator of the webpage is the only person who can add and edit text, videos and images. Public viewers of Web 1.0 are unable to make any changes.

On the other hand, Web 2.0 is completely different. It is designed so that not only the creator of the webpage, but other individuals that view the page are able to add content and make edits. Web 2.0 is often referred to as the 'read-write' web.

Source: Google Images

There are three commonly used Web 2.0 tools; Blogs, Wikis and Websites.

Although each of these are very similar, they do have their own characteristics.

Blogs

A blog, which could also be referred to as a 'Web log' can be a very useful tool as you are able to use it to group together commentary on a particular topic. Blogs can be made up of text, links, images, videos and other multimedia. Although a blog is usually a webpage predominately maintained by an individual, readers can interact with the site and leave comments.

The idea has been raised about blogs being used as an Educational tool. Like any digital resource being used in the classroom- there are both a number of positives and negatives that come with using it.

Blogs in the classroom:

Plus +	Minus -	Interesting?
- As today’s students as known to be digital natives, they will be engaged with the use of blogs - Students will have to opportunity to be creative - Students will be able to learn about a new tool that they could continue to use in their future schooling	- The risk of cyber bullying could be increased - Some students may not be confident with using digital technologies and may fall behind	- Blogs are affordable, they won’t cost anything for a classroom teacher - Blogs are easy to use (anyone can do it) - Blogging is always a fun tool - Blogs are an interesting way to display information

Source: Google Images

If the use of blogs in the classroom is conducted correctly, they could most definitely be a useful tool for ALL students. Anything new in the classroom is always exciting and engaging for the students.

If Blogs are introduced into students learning in the classroom, they will be given the opportunity to explore a number of technical features that they may not be familiar with.

-students can construct their blog to their very own design

-students can add images, videos and links to other websites

-students can interact with each other’s blogs by adding respectful comments

As a pre-service teacher, I would love to engage my students with the use of blogging in the classroom. It would be a great reflective tool used to centre the students learning.

Wikis

A wiki is a great tool for online collaborative learning; not only the creator of the wiki, but guests can also be involved in editing, modifying, adding and removing information. Although, like any digital tool- there are also disadvantages to using it. Wikis sometimes tend to get 'messy' with the use of multiple authors. If two people are editing at the same time, not all work is saved.

I had a go at creating my very own wiki- I added text and images.

http://emmamoffitt.wikispaces.com/

I really enjoyed creating my very first wiki. I found it rather easy to create at first, with a few little editing complications.

Personally, I don't think I would use a wiki in a classroom environment after past experiences of using them. The only way a wiki would work for students if there were only a limited amount of students using the one wiki page.

Website- Weebly

A weebly is a great website creating tool. I have been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to create one in a previous course. I would definitely use a weebly as a tool to engage students in the classroom.

Check it out: