There are many new ‘tools’ or websites that can be used with great success in the classroom. Web 2.0 refers to a supposed second generation of Internet-based services. These usually include tools that let people collaborate and share information online, such as social networking sites, wikis, communication tools, and folksonomies. There are hundreds of Web2.0 sites – here are 10 that can be used easily in the classroom.

 

1.    Wordle  www. http://www.wordle.net This site allows you to create your own website, animations, Word puzzles, and Word Art. The following article from Tech & Learning gives a number of examples of you to use Wordle well in the classroom.
http://www.techlearning.com/blogs/20322 - 5 Reasons to Use Wordle in the Classroom

http://www.slideshare.net/digitalmaverick/how-to-use-wordle-presentation How to Use Wordle

http://www.slideshare.net/JenniferW/wordle-ideas Wordle Ideas

 

2.    Kerpoof  http://www.kerpoof.com KerPoof is a free online multimedia software that allows children to explore their creativity by drawing, making animated movies, writing and illustrating stories, producing pictures and cards and more. The software is intuitive and easy to use, giving children - even those who aren’t proficient in art - an opportunity to produce and share successful artwork quickly and without frustration.

http://www.kerpoof.com/how_to_play How to Use Kerpoof
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/2687769/Introduction-to-the-Kerpoof-Art-Studio Introduction to the Kerpoof Art Studio

http://www.slideshare.net/digitalmaverick/how-to-make-a-picture-in-kerpoof-presentation How to Make a Picture in Kerpoof Presentation

3.    www.yackpack.com YackPack  YackPack messaging is done at your convenience. You log in when you want, you listen, and you yack. All the messages are stored for future reference. Most important, YackPack captures and conveys the expressiveness of voice putting emotion into virtual learning environments and enhancing traditional classroom interactions outside of class time.
http://www.yackpack.com/education.html How Can I Use YackPack in the Classroom
http://web2learning.learnhub.com/lesson/1523-social-media-yackpack What is YackPack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWfIA7TxjHA YouTube Video on YackPack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Axa4-ye55_I&feature=related YouTub Video on the Use of Wikis and Yackpack

 

4.    Google Earth and related overlay sites http://earth.google.com This site has a 3D mapping program from Google that covers the entire globe from satellite images. Requiring a download for Windows, Mac and Linux desktops, a street address can be searched, and the views can be zoomed down to the individual building all the way up to a satellite's view of the globe. Google Earth can be used to view points of interest as well as obtain driving directions between two locations. The night sky and Mars can also be viewed.

 

http://www.techlearning.com/article/23432 Explore with Google Earth

http://www.google.com/educators/p_earth.html Google Earth for Educators

http://gelessons.com/lessons Google Earth Lessons
http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/teaching_methods/google_earth/how.html How to Teach with Google Earth

 

You can also use 3-D overlay sites that allow you to download overlay files that ‘lay on top of ‘ Google Earth and work interactively. For example – you can download a 3-D overlay file of Paris, France and you and your student can visit Paris in 3-D. You can actually move through the streets of Paris and see buildings on either side of you. The best site that I have found is http://www.gearthhacks.com Click on Files link on the right hand site – scroll down and you will see a number of categories that can be clicked on to view the files that are available for download.

 

5.    Quizlet http://quizlet.com This site allows you to create your own digital flashcards. Once you have made a "set" of flashcards, Quizlet gives you three ways to learn your terms. First, you familiarize yourself with the terms by simply looking through them, term, definition and all. Then Quizlet goes through your set, flashing cards and prompting you to type in the correct term. Quizlet also gives you the ability to create groups. This means that you can share your sets with everyone else in the class (and they can share theirs with you). This could be put to great use by, say, having everyone in the class each put in the vocabulary for one chapter. Then, with a minimal amount of effort, everyone could study.

http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Set-in-Quizlet How to Create a Set in Quizlet

http://www.techlearning.com/article/17038 Quizlet – An Online Study Aid
http://www.schooltube.com/video/36457/How-to-use-Quizlet How to Use Quizlet

 

6.    ReadtheWords www.readthewords.com This site features text to speech with a variety of voices.  This site allows a  teacher to download papers and exams into Read the Words.  This site can also read many documents such as websites, publisher, and word.  Students can use this website to have any text read to them and it is very easy to learn to use. The website does an excellent job at describing the function of the tutorial as well as audible pronunciation.

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BezIRHR2PwM How to Use ReadtheWords YouTube video

7.    wePappers http://www.wepapers.com .wePapers is an academic social site, where you can share and read academic documents, presentations and lecture notes. wePapers is where you find the kind of quality information you wouldn't find anywhere else on the web, the kind of papers you'd have to dig for in dusty library basements and still not find what you're looking for. WePapersWAS created to help people learn from one another. wePapers is also where you share what you've learned, with people who are learning the same thing. You can discuss your work with them and get useful feedback.

http://techhotspot.com/2009/01/28/wepapers wePaper info from TechHotSpot