1. Week 11 March 15-21, 2015
Web 2.0 Cool Tools

2. Week 11-Lots of playing around!
This week you will play and play on Web 2.0 and other interactive sites
Yes, I have spent an entire day (at least 5 hours today alone) updating, setting up, organizing, searching, etc. for the week. The time just flies on these sites!
Best part-your assignment this week to submit to me is NOT a 1-pager, but rather a completed spreadsheet with sites, usernames, passwords for the work you do
Hope that help! Enjoy!

3. This Week-Requirements
Explore all Web 2.0 Tools in lesson
Create accounts on each and try them out
Decide how these tools will work with your content area/grade level
Visit and participate in Class Wiki and my Blog (5 points each, total of 10 pts)
Assignment 11 on Web 2.0 Tools (10 pts)
Post to Forum 18-Web 2.0 Tools (10 pts)

4. What is Web 2.0?
Web 2.0 is the term given to describe a second generation of the World Wide Web that is focused on the ability for people to collaborate and share information online. Web 2.0 basically refers to the transition from static HTML Web pages to a more dynamic Web that is more organized and is based on serving Web applications to users. Other improved functionality of Web 2.0 includes open communication with an emphasis on Web-based communities of users, and more open sharing of information. Over time Web 2.0 has been used more as a marketing term than a computer-science-based term. Blogs, wikis, and Web services are all seen as components of Web 2.0.
Source:

5. OK, now…
This week, you will explore many Web 2.0 tools. You will need to create usernames and passwords for most of them
“But I can’t remember my username/password?” Have I got a deal for you! Download the spreadsheet I have put on Moodle for you. Do a Save As and put it on your flash drive or desktop. Name this document firstnamelastnameweek11 (ex janwilliamsweek11)
As you go through the sites this week, fill in the spreadsheet and Save
This is the document you will submit for your assignment for the week. You will upload it to the Assignment 11 Link
If you can’t open the Excel doc on your computer, let me know ( ) and I will send it to you another way
Do not fret about creating all these accounts this week. Once the course is over, you can unsubscribe from any you want…but you will need to have access to most for the remaining weeks of the class

6. The Original Web (before 2.0)
Originally it was “sit and git”
You searched and read and that was it
Everything was one-dimensional
The Web was really like a huge encyclopedia!
We thought it was pretty cool to have the world at our fingertips…still do

7. And Now…Web 2.0 These sites are two-way You read and you can respond!
Anyone can interact
There are lots of applications in the Classroom, but not all Web 2.0 tools are appropriate for classrooms

8. Some Cool Tools-Wikis Wikis-terrific for collaboration
View this clever video, “Wikis in Plain English”
Go to one of my wikis-for this class, use
You should already have received an invitation by …if not, we will get you in…now check out the Web 2.0 Tools (look on the right side of the page)
Now, go to Collaborate Web Jump in and participate! You might want to wait until you have explored the Week’s lesson first! Everyone is responsible to post on this page this week

9. How else do I use Wikis?
Although a wiki is a great collaborative tool, I also use them in a more non-collaborative way
I create new wikis often for a variety of purposes…it is a great place to “park” good sites and references
When I make them for purposes like that, I usually make them public rather than private…then anyone can go on and view, but they cannot add, edit, collaborate
This particular wiki we are using I originally created for a presentation at a Tech Conference in St. Clairsville OH…now I can just keep adding more things to share

10. Some Cool Tools-Blogs
“Blogs in Plain English”
Check out my Blog!
After reading my postings, you should add your comments…you might need to login to your Google account (school ) to post
This one was created using Google Docs. I think it should be accessible at school, but if not, please let me know!
Like Wikispaces, Blogspot is FREE!
Want to get your students to write? Start a blog!

11. Word Clouds
Try On this site, you can type in or copy and paste words, paragraphs, etc. and the program will create your word cloud
The more often a word appears, the larger it will show on your cloud
Great way for students to see what they are writing!
Also check out other sites like (for younger students) and

12. Some Cool Tools-Pinterest
Students can make “bulletin boards”, scrapbooks, and such based on their interests…or what you assign
This may or may not be blocked as school. Be sure to try it at home if you can’t get in at school
Follow my Pinterest-Jan Valicenti Williams. As you can see, I use this for great sites, cool pictures, and loads of recipes
You can join in by creating a free account or by logging in with Facebook
This is a great place to highlight and bookmark sites!

13. Some Cool Tools-Edmodo.com
Edmodo is a social networking website for teachers, students, and parents. It is marketed as the Facebook for schools. Teachers can invite students into private groups that can be used for online classroom discussions, but in a format that keeps the teacher firmly in control. Teachers give students a class signup code, which can be deactivated once all students have signed up, and students in turn are encouraged to share the code with their parents, allowing them to monitor their own child's activity. As an invitation- only social network, Edmodo is meant to mirror a secure offline classroom that intruders cannot access, with rules of decorum enforced by software. For example, students are not allowed to pass private messages to other students in class. They can post only to the group or the teacher, and group messages can be moderated by the teacher.
Definition as found on Wikipedia

14. Some Cool Tools-Edmodo.com
Go into this site. Create a free account
I created a group called 2015 Meaningful Tech Class. The code to join the group is: t2fmha
You should have received an invitation to join the group
Create your profile
Watch the 2 minute video at the bottom of the screen
Browse around the site. Think about why many teachers are using this with their classes. Feel free to make comments by clicking Reply
This is an example of a Social Network safe site for classrooms. There are many cool things you can do with the site
Edmodo also has apps for both iPads and Android tablets
Are you already using Edmodo? Be sure to share some of your experiences with us

15. Some Cool Tools-Animoto
Create a free account
Make cool presentations to share with others
Students can do these easily and they look so professional!
Can use this to create short digital reports, stories, or digital cards!
Sign up, make a few!

16. Some Cool Tools-Dropbox
This is cloud storage, and it is free. You earn additional space by referring others to join
You can save your documents, etc. here and access from anywhere you can get internet
You can have private folders, but also shared folders-this is really powerful! You can also share documents with people not on dropbox (like students, parents)
If you don’t already use it…use this link: You will create an account if you don’t have one already
This is one of my favorites that I use every day! The uses are limitless!

17. Some Cool Tools-Prezi www.prezi.com
This is a wild and non-linear presentation tool…like a 21st Century PowerPoint on steroids!
Peek at the samples; try to create a quick one!
I know for sure that at least one of you already uses Prezi!

18. Check these out!
02.0%20tools%20for%20education&rs=rs This is a great assortment of Web 2.0 Tools for Educators…some that we already looked at as well as others
Edudemic article on best Classroom Tools: Keep in mind that this great collection of tools was published in 2011, so there are oodles more available now

19. Social Networking Sites
Facebook.com-I am betting you all know this one, and probably many participate. I don’t see this as a good choice for education, even if it was not blocked
Twitter.com-short posts by anyone, sorted by topic you define. You can follow news, stars, topics, etc. Cool things you can do with this concept (such as having students write a Twitter post with only 144 characters! Could be like an exit slip or something else cool)
LinkedIn.com-This is a professional networking site, which I do highly recommend. Create an account if you don’t have one, and be sure to join interest groups-then you will get weekly or daily s with posts of interest

20. Some other Web 2.0 Tools
Moodle, Blackboard, Sakai. These are Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Youtube, Teachertube, Schooltube
Wikipedia (not always the best reference as anyone can make changes, but it is a quick source of info-and it is a wiki)
Social Bookmarking (ex. Delicious.com)
Tons of others!

21. Assignment 11-Web 2.0 Tools
Download my blank spreadsheet, which you should have done first! It is in the Week 11 Block on Moodle
Fill it in with each of the sites you go to this week…this will help me see what you have done and what you think and it will be your resource for the future. Remember, focus your comments on your content area
Submit on the Assignment 11 link
Be sure to participate in the Wiki (slide 7) and my Blog (slide 9) for full credit

22. Forum 18-Web 2.0
Tell us about your favorite 2 Tools and how you would like to use each
Please relate this to your subject area
Be sure to also tell us about Web 2.0 tools that you are already using
As always, create a 2 paragraph post and reply to at least 2-3 others

23. And the Good News is…
Your spreadsheet that you create as you go through the sites is what you will also turn in to me. I don’t care about your username and password (hey, I have enough trouble keeping my own straight!)-I just want to see that you have gone to these sites, made an account, test- drove them, and given me your comments
I know this is a lot of surfing this week, but it is really the only way! Just be sure to have your content area in mind as you check things out
Don’t forget to post to my Blog and our Wiki!

24. Have a Great Week Let me know if you have any problems
Don’t sign up for anything that requires payment. Most have at least a trial period that is free
Be sure to clue us all in to other cool Web 2.0 sites you use-either in Forum 18 or Anything and Everything
One week closer to Spring, right?