Research Web 2.0 Tools beginning with the resource listed below and choose one that is of interest to you in your teaching/learning environment. Learn how to use the tool through the site or tutorials and use it to create an assignment you might use in a learning situation or use it to create some product. Next evaluate what you have done and think about all the possible educational uses. Post a blog at least 250 words long describing how you would use it in your classroom and the educational benefits the tool provides. Be specific and thorough in your discussion.
Well I am an 8th Grade Middle School Science Teacher at a low socioeconomic school. Most of my students are minorities; Hispanic and African-American. I began my search particularly seeking Science related material. Then I stumbled on Youtego. I was immediately captivated by the site and was instantly beaming with ideas for uses and incorporation in my classroom! Basically, Youtego's main concept is self-visualization. Their motto is "recognize yourself to recognize the world around you", (Youtego, 2009). The way this is accomplished is through the use of simple semantics. A basic combination of pictures and words to express one's feelings, ideas, thoughts, etc. It reminded me almost of digital storytelling, which is also another web 2.0 tool I want my students to become more adept in. I would use this tool in my classroom by assigning a topic such as Newton's Laws of Motion and instructing my students to create the Youtego slideshows to depict the concepts and terminology and then present them in either a blog or website. I know that at first it may sound or seem too basic, but it is actually very deep and inspirational at the same time which is the primary reason why I chose this tool. As I mentioned before, a teach a very large population of ELL's, or english language learners. I feel that this tool would be of great benefit to them as well to aid them in their vocabulary skills. With this tool students can incorporate music, pictures and their choice of words to represent the natural world or whatever topic I assign. This tool really appealed to me because this tool will empower my students to become more self expressive through the use of their own pictures and digital technology. This is my third year teaching middle school and I see the hardships kids in this age group experience. Students in this age group love social networking sites such as myspace and facebook and they absolutely LOVE to take pictures, so with this tool they can accomplish both and learn at the same time! Not to mention that they can then share their products as they upload them to blogs, twitter, and facebook. I have a daughter who is in middle school herself and when I introduced the site to her, she was instantly hooked! Youtego is one web 2.0 I plan to utilize in my classroom as soon as possible.
In my search for science related material I also found a very useful site called Yacapaca.com. This site is teacher and student friendly. The best part about this site is that it is FREE! Uses for this site as an educator would primarily be for creating quizzes for students as reviews and at the end of units. I took a practice quiz and I really liked the level of challenge as well as the graphics used. I could also use this tool as extra credit for students who may need additional support or simply use it as an additional resource such as a homework assignment. Eportfolios are another option with Yacapaca. This tool is one that seems more content related and offers a wide variety of subject matter. As a teacher, I am always looking for resources and this one is very manageable.
Image from Yacapac.com, 2009
Although on my campus we are limited on the availability of technology due to some sites being blocked, I do believe that my students will benefit from one if not both of my choices. I enjoyed my search as I found many other tools that I have linked to my teacher website for my home campus.
1 comment:
I think Youtego sounds perfect for your class. I, too, chose a slideshow presentation for my learning environment. I know there are other fancier presentation tools with all the bells and whistles, but PhotoPeach, like yours, was simple and easy to learn, allowed captions and music, and a few more options, but will meet the system requirements as well as student needs. As you mentioned, Youtego will empower your students and that is important.
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