The Future: E-learning with Web 2-0

Steve O'Hear's article entitled "Web's second phase puts users in control" exlopres the world of Web2.0 and its practical application within the classroom, the opportunities for collaborative e-learning and the future for all of us on-line. Some of the most creative tools now available are described below:

ANIMOTO 

Animoto is a brand new online tool that will revolutionise the way students engage within the classroom. Students are able to create their own private accounts on the web site and create personalised and relevant film clips using their own images and music, or music provided on the site itself.

Everything you need to know is explained on the site: animoto.com 

This is a creative and accessable tool where students are able to explore and utilise the world of Web2.0 while growing in skills and knowledge of their key learning areas. Students are able to then publish their clips on web sites such as their Wiki site, Facebook, Myspace etc (as seen above) as assessments in themselves or as a professional touch to a larger piece of work.

Animoto can be used as a tool to allow students to experiment with creating meaning through images and song. This is an exciting addition to the world of Web2.0 and for e-learning lovers!

Animoto is a more creative and useful tool than something like Power Point because it is far more creative and is far easier and quicker to use. The graphics involved are far superior and because it is a new product, it will engage students in their learning.

BLOGGING

Blogging is a new and exciting way teachers can encourage collaborative learning within the classroom. Students can post and share ideas, resources and even entire assessments online using various blogging sites, including: Wordpress, Google Blogger, Facebook, Wikipedia etc.

Blogging is an easier way of keeping up with students progress rather than collecting work books regularly. his is often timely and can cause an incoenience to the students if they need their books at home. A students bolg can be accessed anytime to ensure they are actively involved in the collaorative process. On-line blogging also catches those students who leave everything to the night before...

Students are also able to keep the collaborative process happening 24/7 with a bolg and all students are able to access this learning. As opposed to private emails between only one or two students, a bolg allows everyone in the class to access and share information.

Some of the more famous blog sites which are devoted to breaking down the often daunting world of Web2.0 can be accessed with the greatest of ease and give detailed information about how to use internet blogging in the classroom and its benifits in keeping up with our rapidly changing world.

Some of the best sites include:

• HeyJude
• TheWikiSpot
• E-learning Blog
   
   
   

  DEL.ICIO.US

  Del.icio.us is a program that allows users to log-in and create an on-line file of favourite web sites for quick and easy reference. One of the best options of this Web 2.0 tool is the fact that users can create groups and invite other del.icio.us users to join with each other to share sites of common interest.

  This particular aspect of the program is indespensible for classroom use! An enitre class can log into their own del.icio.us accounts and share interent sites relevant to the subject or area of study within that class. It is yet another opportunity for collaborative learning to take place within the twenty first cenutry classroom.