I really see web 2.0 applications changing how we teach and learn. We can use web 2.0 applications to improve the educational process for very little or no cost. As a library media and technology specialist, I am always on the lookout for new ones that can improve the learning experience. What about zoho? Have you used it before? Students and parents who can't afford expensive microsoft office products like word, excel and power point can now use zoho. Much like google docs, zoho allows the user to access a writing, spreadsheet, slideshow (and other applications) for free. And they can login on any computer, anywhere to access their documents and projects which are stored on the web. A lot of our high school students are using zoho or google docs because they don't want to have to mess with file transfer. It's just more convenient.
But there are so many other web 2.0 apps that can change how we teach and how students learn. One of my favorite web 2.0 sites is the GotoWeb2.0 directory. Like many other web 2.0 indexes out there on the internet, it has several web 2.0 applications, all categorized by subject. You can just click on the icon to read more about the application and try it out. One assignment I give to students every term is to try out various web 2.0 sites and pick a favorite one. They have to draw a connection between their favorite site and learning. In other words, they have to tell how they would use the application for educational purposes, to improve their learning experience.
How many web 2.0 applications have you tried and which is your favorite educational one?
