What do I say about Web 2.0 Tools…. Well, some are amazing and some are junk!! I think that there are some amazing sites out there that are catered to student and teacher usage. Conversely, there are many out there that are ridiculous and are very hard to use. To begin my rant, I did not like using Ever Note. For one, I don’t really see how I could use it inside the classroom. Maybe, I have not expanded my mind enough to understand its capabilities, but I do not see how I could use it in my 5th grade classroom. If I would have been working with Ever Note for a personal reason, I would have given up on it long before I figured out how to make it public.
Ok, moving on. I didn’t realize the amount of Web 2.0 Tools that are free or relativity inexpensive that are available to use inside the classroom. Through this process I also realized that some sites that I am currently using are considered Web 2.0 Tools. I really like the Friendly Letter Generator tool that can be found at ReadWriteThink! It is a great resource to help my students understand letter formatting, which is an important skill for the MAP Test.
Finally, another great Web 2.0 Tool that I have in my Communication Arts toolbox is called Into the Book. This site is amazing for teaching Reading Strategies and I usually work this into my teaching at the very beginning of the year. This is a very important tool for students to use because they can work interactively online and they can also print off any created or preexisting story.
For the most part, I enjoyed my experience with Web 2.0 Tools and will definitely incorporate many of them into my every day teaching. Unfortunately, I will never use Ever Note again and loathed every moment that I had to work with the software.
I'm glad there's someone else that was really NOT a fan of that program. I won't say I hated it, but yeah, I really don't see myself using it ever again.
ReplyDeleteMy experience was so the opposite and I loved Evernote and I put the app on my smart phone and was able to work on files away from the desk, was able to put articles that I wanted to read there and even was able to put notes from another class I am taking there to study. What I really liked was I was able to copy and paste our assignment from blackboard into a note and access it without having to log into blackboard and it keeps the links active.
ReplyDeleteThinking about using it for a "grocery/supplies" list, it is so easy to type it on my computer and then access it from my phone in the store.
I'm working on my CamStudio of Evernote, maybe I can get you guys to change your minds-or maybe not since I can't seem to save the SWF file!! My issue is with open source stuff :(
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Glenda. I did like Evernote and I have started using it for my everyday stuff. I like the fact that I can make a folder and put whatever find from the internet in it with a long description ...if I want. I get so tired of the long list of bookmarks on my laptop. Sometimes I cannot remember why I even bookmarked something. I think there is still more for me to learn but, I am going to use Evernote for a "free" class I am teaching.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Ashley, Evernote is not for me. I can't see the practicality of using it in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteI'm glag you found something =in the writing area. That always seemed to be a hard one to find. I'll put that one in with all the others this class has founf.. THANKS..
ReplyDeleteYes, like anything else there are great and there are terrible Web 2.0 apps. There are also apps that requires some creativity since they weren't intended for educational use. For the most part though I love those that I found user friendly and graphically pretty. Yes, I have a thing for pretty things :) EverNote I love. Not only is it easy on the eyes but it's quite handy when I'm gathering information, esp. ones with photos.
ReplyDelete