My Favorite Web2.0 Tools

And off we go to Web2.0....

Today our journey begins on the internet and ends in the classroom. Some of you may be thinking, well here she is, again, blogging about interesting technology that can be used for education and that infamous "classroom". Well you guessed correctly, and today I want to spend a few minutes talking about Web2.0. You may be thinking "Web2.0...what on earth is that, and why should I care?" "Well," I would say in reply, "That is exactly the question I had at the beginning of my assignment this week. Let me show you what I have found." At this point you would either agree or disagree (which of course you would chose to agree, and thus you continue to read).

Basics of Web 2.0
-a.k.a "the cloud" or cloud computing
-can access the information from any computer because it is not saved to a specific computer or device
-the software is constantly updated and improved upon
-the information is non-proprietary, so you can use it on any system (Windows, Mac, Etc)
-some examples of Web2.0 include Google Docs, Picasa, YouTube and Skype

For more examples and history about Web2.0, click HERE. For a video representation, click HERE.

Now that we have discussed Web2.0, lets take a deeper look at some of the tools available.

TEAMVIEWER
Teamviewer is a program that allows an outside support person limited access to a client's computer, in order to help with questions or issues. The process is simple: the client will Download or Run the software needed ( http://teamviewer.com/download), client will share ID and Password with support person, support enters info, and TADA! they are connected.


It is important to note that teamviewer does no create a permanent link between the two computers, but it can be used for malicious intentions. For a more detailed explaination of Teamviewer and all that it can do, click HERE.


This is a great tool to use between a teacher and student, if for instance the teacher has assigned a take home project, and the student is having difficulty. The student can log in to TeamViewer, with the teacher, and they can work through the problems together. No longer can the student use the excuse "well I couldn't figure out how to use the program", as the teacher is easily able to connect and view the process with the student, providing help and feedback when needed.


Teamviewer has obvious benefits to the teacher/student and technology relationship. Let's look at another tool that is also a benefit to the classroom dynamic.


USTREAM
Visit the ustream website HERE.


While I have never used many online recording devices, I am extremely familiar with the use of YouTube. Honestly, one would probably have to be living under a rock to not know YouTube, and the crazy videos that are uploaded on an hourly basis. Similar to YouTube, but perhaps even easier to use and record directly from the computer, is Ustream. It's as simple as creating a free account, logging in, creating a channel of your choice, and beginning to record and broadcast.


Ustream is a great way to connect students and technology. To hear me talk about how I would use Ustream in the classroom, click HERE.
Or view my video below. 






Embedding this video was actually much easier than I thought it would be. I enjoy the thought of being able to record information easily by video, and just as easily loading it up to the internet.
Well that's all for today folks. Until next time!