Web 2.0 Tools

I attended a Web 2.0 presentation at a Blackboard World Conference session today. The presenter outlined several ways that the use of Web 2.0 tools helps promote student engagement between instructor-to-student, student-to-student and student-to-content. During the presentation, several tools were presented and some student projects applying these tools were highlighted. Engagement, retention and measured learning were demonstrated at the end of courses. These tools were used with students ranging from middle school to graduate school.

In addition to those we have already explored in our EME 6414 class activities, several interesting tools were illustrated. A few of the sampling include:

• Presentation tools such as Prezi, Brainshark, Knovio, Projeqt and PhotoSnack
• Video tools such as TED, Animoto, Capzles, Jing, Podsnack and Tubesnack
• Mobile tools such as Audioboo, Instagram and Cel.ly
• Community tools such as Bubbl.us, Voki, Classtools and Padlet
• Related tools such as Blabberize, Quizlet, ToonDoo, Fodey, Pixlr, Pintrest and Shutterfly

The final emphasis in the presentation was to incorporate these tools into classroom activities to increase learning by making it fun, interactive and accessible. My goal this week will be to try at least two of these tools and perhaps consider using them in the first Produsage assignment.