Web 2.0 Tools and Resources

Listed below are just a few of the amazing web 2.0 tools and resources I found on the Internet. It's absolutely amazing how much really is out there, and I've really begun to come to terms with the fact that I know less about it than I thought. I consider myself pretty "tech savvy" and I believe I understand the potential of web 2.0 tools and their impact on 21st century skills. Yet, at the same time, simply browsing the Internet for unique Web 2.0 tools brought me to the realization that there is way more out there than I was ever aware of. As you continue reading, you'll find the tools and resources I found to be of most interest as well as a brief description indicating its specific purpose. Feel free to use the links to learn more.

Route 21
This website is actually a resource based site for an educator to gain insight on 21st century skills. In today's educational system, we are aware of the current change towards critical thinking application, global literacy, problem solving, and innovation; however few educators truly understand what these skills are and how to implement their processes in a classroom setting. By visiting this website, one can find just this information. It's a nationwide "move" to push state educational systems into the 21st century, and the site does an excellent job in explaining why and how to do so. Correlations are made between core subjects with innovation literacy skills, career skills, and information technology skills. As can be seen from the website, there are currently just ten 21st century states, but Route 21 would like to promote the information towards making 21st century progress nationwide.

Go 2 Web 20
This website is actually a Web 2.0 tool database. Although access to individual web 2.0 tools cannot be achieved through the site, one can find information on just about every web 2.0 tool out there. More specifically, go2web20 provides visitors with "icons" listing NUMEROUS web 2.0 tools. By clicking on the "icon," information will appear describing what the tool is and why someone may use it. This is an excellent resource for anyone looking to incorporate web 2.0 tools but may be unfamiliar with what tools are out there. Instead of searching site upon site, all of the information is listed in one viewing area. Even if you think you know a great deal of web 2.0 tools, you should still check out this resource. I will guarantee there are tools you've never heard of before.

Live Journal
This web 2.o tool can actually be used in many ways. It can be a personal journal, a blog, or even a social networking tool. It's completely free to join, but paying members do receive premium services. Journal entries are featured in categories to make it easier to find topical interests. It can also be used by any and all ages (which brings me a little concern when it comes to implementing it in the classroom). I, as a first grade teacher, would fear my students reading material that may not be age-appropriate. I'm wondering if maybe there is a way to "privatize" the journal accounts so I knew who was reading and contributing to the entries. My students journal everyday, and sometimes they find it monotonous. It's also hard to find time to let each student read his/her journal. With this live feature, students could and respond to the journals at school or at home. It would also provide more interaction and cause students to reflect upon what they wrote.

Journeys
This website is somewhat like Google Earth. It allows the user to take real world trips in a virtual way. It uses a mashup with interactive maps, pictures, and some video to create a real life experience of a particular setting. In my opinion, this site would be great for any classroom use. The concept of field trips is brought to a new level allowing the students to take virtual field trips whenever and where ever. First graders are typically not critical thinkers or visualizers. They need a foundation to build knowledge instead of visualizing things on their own. This site would provide more than that for the students.

Tikatok
This web 2.0 tool is especially designed for children. The tool is really a community in itself for children to write stories and publish them. Students can type their own stories, illustrate them (with real or drawn pictures), and have them published by order. The best feature is that student work can remain on the site for others to view. This would be an incredible tool for my classroom because first graders LOVE writing stories. This site would help them feel like a real author. I could even purchase the published books for a classroom library or gifts for mom and dad.