Classroom 2.0- Webinar Reflection

Classroom 2.0 Logo from website

    Classroom 2.0 was started in 2007 by Steve Hargadon. This site was designed for individuals to develop a better sense of identity of Web 2.0 technologies. Classroom 2.0 connects people from over 188 countries worldwide and is free to the general public. On this website, there are several webinars that students and teachers can access that provide information on different technology concepts. You can also share links and connect with others around the world.
    Classroom 2.0 is a very helpful site for teachers because it provides tools to teachers who may not know much about technology. They can then talk to other educators, discuss ideas, and even share bookmarks and links with one another. I believe this site would be a great site for me to use when I become a teacher because if I ever had any trouble, I could simply ask another person online for suggestions.
    This site uses ISTE- NETS T standards 3 and 5; it models digital age work and learning and allows teachers to engage in professional growth and leadership by connecting with other educators.
     An example of a Classroom 2.0 webinar is located below.
     I listened to an audio recording of a Classroom 2.0 webinar by David Truss on the website that provided the general public with information on digital tools and how to incorporate inquiry based learning into the classroom. This webinar helped me realize how many different tools there are in the digital world to use in the classroom. As teachers, it is our job to make sure we know about these tools so we can help students learn technological methods. I believe these webinar videos can help teachers decide what to incorporate into their own classrooms, and they can get more ideas.

  Webinar Video from website

Check out Classroom 2.0's website!

 

Study Blue

Study Blue Logo from website

      Study Blue is an online site that allows students to study for exams and learn information by using flashcards. Students can make their own cards by typing in the term and definition and using this to study anywhere at anytime. Teachers can also post their own flashcards and materials in the site for students to use. As a teacher, I would use Study Blue for this purpose. Study Blue is an easy way to make sure all students know what to specifically study so they can be well-prepared for an upcoming test. Students can search for classes, people, and even certain materials to find note cards.

     The backpack icon on the front page allows students to save all of their study materials in one place. They can add classes and easily locate the flashcards they wish to study. This is a very efficient tool because Study Blue makes it easy to find materials needed to study, and they are easily able to find since they are stored in the backpack.
     This website is a great resource to use in the classroom because it gives students the opportunity to use digital age learning processes to study. It incorporates the ISTE-NETS S standards by using technology for an otherwise simple task of making note cards.

     The following video provides a tutorial on how to navigate the Study Blue site so we can all gain a better understanding on how to properly use this site.

Study Blue Tutorial Video from website

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Atomic Learning

Atomic Learning Icon from website

      Atomic Learning is a website dedicated specifically to teachers that provides resources and information on incorporating technology into the classroom. It includes several common core planning tools, software training lecture videos, and helpful tips for teachers to ensure they understand basic technological lesson plans. Through this site, teachers can sign up for an Atomic Catalyst course, which is set up online, but also provides a comprehensive video lesson every week that explains technology that is useful in the classroom. There are several different courses available, and they all last for six weeks. Even though these lessons aren't completely free, they give teachers the experience they need to be able to use technology, if they have little prior knowledge.
    I believe Atomic Learning would be very beneficial for me as a beginning teacher. Even though I am currently enrolled in several technology classes, I will not be able to learn everything I need to know for my class. This way I can develop more lessons using technology and feel confident with my technological abilities.
     Although Atomic Learning was created for educators, it can also be helpful for students. If students are having a hard time learning how to use different technology programs, they can sign up for a class on that program and learn more information about it. Then, they can have this information to be able to use this program in the future.
      Atomic Learning uses the ISTE-NETS S and ISTE-NETS T standards. The site enables teachers to be able to model digital age work and learning, promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility, and engage in professional growth and leadership. It also provides students with the knowledge necessary to use technology operations and concepts, which is one vital standard students need.
      The picture below shows some key learning solutions available through Atomic Learning.

Atomic Learning Solutions from website

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Edmodo

Edmodo Logo from website

     Edmodo is a social networking site available to both students and teachers. It provides a secure place to connect and share educational applications and allows students to access homework, grades, and class discussions. If a student is absent for class, Edmodo would be the perfect place for students to find out what they missed on a given day as long as their teacher has an account set up.
     Currently, Edmodo has 11,800,000 users around the globe. This popular site was introduced in 2008, and its goal then was to connect students and teachers to digital tools online. On the site, teachers are able to post messages to their students, share materials and discussions, and connect with other teachers to learn helpful tips in the classroom. Students can submit their work and contact their teacher on the site. Edmodo now has an application that allows for students and teachers to connect with their class at any time and anywhere with the press of a button.
    I believe Edmodo is a very significant tool for the classroom. I hope to use this social networking site in my future class, so I can communicate with my students at all times and assign digital assignments online.
     Edmodo allows teachers and students to use a variety of digital techniques to enhance their technology knowledge. Teachers are able to incorporate ISTE- NETS T standards such as designing and developing digital age learning experiences and assessments and modeling digital age work and learning. Students are able to use communication and collaboration and technology operations and concepts through this site.

Edmodo home page from website

Check out Edmodo's website!

Khan Academy

Khan Academy Logo from website

     Khan Academy is an interactive site provided to the public that allows students as well as teachers to research a catalog of videos. It was created in 2006 by Salman Khan and provides a free online collection of many lecture videos stored on YouTube on the topics of mathematics, history, finance, physics, biology, art history, and many more! The more videos the person watches, the more points they will receive which will allow them to earn different badges and claim rewards.
    Students can click on the practice button and choose a skill to work on as well. They are able to check their answers and ask for helpful hints along the way if they need them on a variety of subjects.

Members of the Khan Team from website

     I would definitely use this website in the classroom to allow my students to practice and master skills taught. Khan Academy gives
students the opportunity to spend extra time on skills they may have trouble mastering, and the comprehensive videos provide information on almost every topic. I did notice, however, that there was not a section of the site dedicated to English education. I found this upsetting, considering I want to teach English classes, and my students may not be able to use this site, due to the unlimited language and grammar videos and practice problems.
      The site encourages students to engage in digital citizenship and technology operations and concepts, which are two of the ISTE-NETS S standards for students.

                                              Example of a Khan Video on Photosynthesis from website

Check out Kahn Academy's website!

edWeb

edWeb Logo from website

     edWeb is a professional social network for the education community. It gives educators the chance to share resources and educational information with each other and has several professional learning communities. These communities allow teachers form everywhere in the world to share their own experiences or ideas for the classroom. The communities are generally separated by subject area or grade level so teachers have the opportunity to work with other educators in the same field. This site is also a great way to learn more about Web 2.0 technologies and provides professional development.
     Members of edWeb can invite other colleagues to join the site and can even create a personal profile page with information about themselves. Teachers can browse other groups online and are able to contact them to learn new ideas. If groups online are set to a public setting, any teacher can join these groups. EdWeb communities often times have blogs, a calendar, and even live chats. Basically, this site allows teachers to connect with one another and develop new ideas.
      I would definitely use this site in the future to help come up with new thoughts or ideas for my own classroom. Sometimes it is beneficial to see what other teachers are planning for their own classrooms, so you can come up with new plans. Since this site is also free and open to the public, it wouldn't be hard for me to join, and I believe the site would be able to help any teacher who wants to connect with other individuals in the same field.
     This site is a great example for promoting and modeling digital citizenship and responsibility and engaging in professional growth and leadership for teachers (two very important ISTE-NETS T standards).

edWeb Chat Bar from website

This picture shows an example of a live chat featured on edWeb.net. Teachers can add their own thoughts or ideas to the discussion and can inform each other of different events coming up.







                         Check out edWeb's website!

Prezi

    I found information on Prezi on a collection of Web 2.0 websites and immediately thought it looked like a great site to use in my classroom. Prezi is a cloud-based site that allows students to create digitally enhanced presentations. A zoomable canvas enables the presentation to flow from one slide to another. The presentation zooms in on certain parts or slides and creates visually appealing presentations.

Prezi Logo from website

   This site was originally created in 2009 and has become a worldwide phenomenon. I believe this site is very useful for students and allows students to create their own digital presentations. Most students know how to use power points, but this tool is a new and efficient presentation choice. It makes presentations colorful, unique, and interesting so students actually pay attention when a student presents in class. Students are able to brainstorm and come up with a variety of different setups for their information.
  Prezi incorporates the ISTE-NETS T and ISTE-NETS S standards. It encourages teachers to facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity and model digital age work and learning. Students can use creativity and innovation, communication and collaboration, and technology operations and concepts.
    Below is a sample of a Prezi presentation, and it is easy to tell how it differs from a powerpoint.

                                                                Prezi Sample Video from website

Check our Prezi's website!