I believe that Web 2.0 is definitely changing the way our students learn.  I do feel that if used correctly, it can be an effective tool to enhance our curriculum.  Being a technology facilitator, I am obviously an advocate for technology.  However, I am also a firm believer in putting the CONTENT FIRST.  With all of the cool hardware and programs available (Flip video recorders, Voki, Blabberize.com, Movie Maker, Pixie, podcasting, etc..,) educators must be careful to start with the curriculum and the objectives that are content based.  After the content is set, then we must look at what tools best accomplish the objectives.  Web 2.0 is just another tool to put in our educational toolbox.  After seeing how excited our third grade students worked to learn the facts about the Titanic, because they knew they were sharing it with the world on our blog, I became a believer in this motivational tool.  I also like the prospect of connecting with other people in the world.

I explored Pageflakes and IGoogle.   I enjoyed using IGoogle for my personal page.   I added “stuff” like Spanish word of the day, bible verse of the day, weather, top news, joke of the day, and to do list.  While I was having fun playing around with it, my son saw what I was doing.  He now wants to create his own for his homepage on the family computer. I really like the educational possibilities for using this type of tool.  I would like to see if one of the teachers in the school would like to create one for their class computers.  I could see adding children’s news sites, school blogs, podcasts, etc… for the students to use independently.  

I enjoyed learning more about Ning.  After exploring through the educational items, I discovered http://elementarytechteachers.ning.com/. It is a network of people like me.  They are either computer teachers or technology facilitators.  It is a place I can see what others are doing, their struggles, and new views about our jobs.  I added it to my delicious account.  I think this could be beneficial to all educators.  It is like a web 2.0 listserv, only better.  My email is not bombarded with everyone’s comments.

I have been using Google docs for over a year now.  It is great for collaborating with others when it is hard to meet face to face.  I can see a couple of educational uses.  First, teachers can collaborate on lessons they will be doing together.  Another good use is students can work on projects at home and school by saving on Google docs instead of transport the document back and forth (flash, CD, etc…)

You Tube and Teacher Tube can be used educationally by looking for videos to share with your students, uploading videos that your students have created, and to learn.  Many of the videos are “how to” videos.  I have used Teacher Tube to upload videos that a second grade class created using Photostory3. The students took pictures on a field trip, put them into Photostory3, and added text and music. To see more visit the second grade wiki at http://wasecondna.wikispaces.com/

Evoca is one way to record audio and embed it in blogs and wikis.  I prefer recording in audacity and creating an mp3 file that I can use in more than one way.  A benefit of this would be to not use your memory space and store it on Evoca.

Podcasting is great!  We have created them in 3rd grade at the Primary School.  http://blog.woodward.edu/waps

There are many educational uses.  Students that know they are going to be broadcasting to an audience are more careful in the creation of their script.  They also practice reading with expression while recording.  Many of the students will comment on others’ podcast, creating another writing experience and enjoy responding to comments on their own podcast.

I went to 43 Things.  This kind of thing is not for me.  I am all for setting goals, but I feel like I could utilize my time better than doing this.  I do understand the social aspect of sites like this though.  This could be a great tool for help groups to use.

This is cool and I’m sure that my husband would love to catalog all of our books.  He has an enormous “library” and refuses to get rid of any book.  I, on the other hand, like to read a book, and then give it to someone else to enjoy.  I will definitely keep this in mind when I am ready to start the summer “reading” season (since that is when most of my yearly pleasure reading takes place.) I always go to the bookstore and can’t make up my mind.  This site might allow me to choose books ahead of time.  I like the idea of setting a reading goal, too.  Professionally, I could use it to find books relating to technology.  I will definitely put it in my delicious account.

I have been using delicious for a little over a year now.  I like the features of being able to see my favorites from any computer, anywhere. I also like that if I find a great website, I can see other websites tagged by that person.  Having a network of people could also cut the work down for team of teachers.  For example, 5 teachers looking for websites about the Titanic could share, creating less time looking for websites.  I am sold on delicious, and I am going to continue to encourage colleagues to try it.