ASSIGNMENT 4: WEB 2.0 APPLIED TO ENGLISH TEACHING

by Marina Torres

http://teachmetolearnfast2011.wikispaces.com/

HOMEPAGE

What is a wiki?

A wiki is a Web page that can be viewed and modified by anybody with a Web browser and access to the Internet. This means that any visitor to the wiki can change its content if they desire.

It permits asynchronous communication and group collaboration across the Internet. Besides, it provides users with both author and editor privileges; the overall organization of contributions can be edited as well as the content itself. Wikis are able to incorporate sounds, movies and pictures; they may prove to be a simple tool to create multimedia presentations and simple digital stories.

How do we use it?

Technically, a wiki is a combination of a CGI script and a collection of plain text files that allows users to create Web pages “on the fly.” All it takes is a connection to the Internet and a Web browser. When you click a wiki page’s “Edit” link, the script sends the raw text file to your browser in an editable form, allowing you to modify the content of the page. Pressing the “Save” button sends the modified text back to the wiki server, which replaces the existing text file with your changed version for all to see. When you request its marked-up text into HTML, turns user-selected words into hyperlinks, insects this information into a page template, and sends the result to your browser.

Why do I find it useful?

Wikis offer a powerful flexible collaborative communication tool for developing content-specific Web sites. Because wikis grow and evolve as a direct result of people adding material to the site they can address a variety of pedagogical needs-student involvement, group activities, and so on. Since wikis reside on the Internet, students can access and participate from any location, provided they have Internet access.

From an instructional technology perspective, wikis allow faculty and students to engage in collaborative activities that might not be possible in a classroom.

Purpose of the creation of the site

The purpose of the creation of this wiki is to help students in the process of learning the ICT tools.

How can you create a wiki?

http://video.about.com/personalweb/How-to-Create-a-Wiki.htm

SCREENSHOT

Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY (include)

PDF http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7004.pdf (reference)

http://video.about.com/personalweb/How-to-Create-a-Wiki.htm

1- WORDLE

What is wordle?

Wordle is a tool used for generating “word clouds” from a text. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like. You can print them out, or save them to the Wordle gallery to share with your friends.

How can you create a wordle? Click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpVXq0koi1U

or watch the video.

Here you have an example based on the text.

http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/4229732/CRIMES

ACTIVITY

Definition of Terms

What are ICTs and what types of ICTs are commonly used in education?

ICTs stand for information and communication technologies and are defined, for the purposes of this primer, as a “diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, disseminate, store, and manage information.” These technologies include computers, the Internet, broadcasting technologies (radio and television), and telephony. In recent years there has been a groundswell of interest in how computers and the Internet can best be harnessed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of education at all levels and in both formal and non-formal settings. But ICTs are more than just these technologies; older technologies such as the telephone, radio and television, although now given less attention, have a longer and richer history as instructional tools. For instance, radio and television have for over forty years been used for open and distance learning, although print remains the cheapest,most accessible and therefore most dominant delivery mechanism in both developed and developing countries. The use of computers and theInternet is still in its infancy in developing countries, if these are used at all, due to limited infrastructure and the attendant high costs of access. Moreover, different technologies are typically used in combination rather than as the sole delivery mechanism. For instance, the Kothmale Community Radio Internet uses both radio broadcasts and computer and Internet technologies to facilitate the sharing of information and provide educational opportunities in a rural community in Sri Lanka. The Open University of the United Kingdom (UKOU), established in 1969 as the first educational institution in the world wholly dedicated to open and distance learning, still relies heavily on print-based materials supplemented by radio, television and, in recent years, online programming. Similarly, the Indira Gandhi National Open University in India combines the use of print, recorded audio and video, broadcast radio and television, and audioconferencing technologies.

What is e-learning?Although most commonly associated with higher education and corporate training, e-learning encompasses learning at all levels,both formal and non-formal, that uses an information network—the Internet, an intranet (LAN) or extranet (WAN)—whether wholly or in part, for course delivery, interactionand/or facilitation. Others prefer the term online learning. Web-based learning is a subset of elearning and refers to learning using an Internet browser (such as Netscape or Internet Explorer).

What is blended learning?Another term that is gaining currency is blended learning. This refers to learning models that combine traditional classroom practice with e-learning solutions. For example, students in a traditional class can be assigned both print-based and online materials, have online mentoring sessions with their teacherthrough chat, and are subscribed to a class email list. Or a Web-based training course can be enhanced by periodic face-to-face instruction.“Blending” was prompted by the recognition that not all learning is best achieved in an electronically-mediated environment, particularly one that dispenses with a liveinstructor altogether. Instead, consideration must be given to the subject matter, the learning objectives and outcomes, the characteristics of the learners, and the learning context in order to arrive at the optimum mix of instructional and delivery methods.

What is open and distance learning?

Open and distance learning is defined by the Commonwealth of Learning as “a way of providing learning opportunities that is characterized by the separation of teacher and learner in time or place, or both time and place; learning that is certified in some way by an institution or agency; the use of a variety of media, including print and electronic; two-way communications that allow learners and tutors to interact; the possibility of occasional face-to-face meetings; and a specialized division of labour in the production and delivery of courses.”

What is meant by a learner-centered environment?

The National Research Council of the U.S. defines learner-centered environments as those that “pay careful attention to the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and beliefs that learners bring with them to the classroom.” The impetus for learner-centredness derives from a theory of learning called constructivism, which views learning as a process in which individuals “construct” meaning based on prior knowledge and experience. Experience enables individuals to build mental models or schemas, which in turn provide meaning and organization to subsequent experience. Thus knowledge is not “out there”, independent of the learner and which the learner passively receives; rather, knowledge is created through an active process in which the learner transforms information, constructs hypothesis, and makes decisions using his/her mental models. A form of constructivism called social constructivismalso emphasizes the role of the teacher, parents, peers and other community members in helping learners to master concepts that they would not be able to understand on their own. For social constructivists, learning must be active, contextual and social. It is best done in a group setting with the teacher as facilitator or guide.

http://www.saigontre.com/FDFiles/ICT_in_Education.PDF

2 - ESLVIDEO

2 – C – ESLVIDEO

How do you use eslvideo?

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Example

VIDEO:http://www.eslvideo.com/esl_video_quiz_low_intermediate.php?id=9290

ACTIVITY:

VIDEO:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg11DmYDCnU&feature=player_embedded#

3 - EDUGLOGSTER

What is eduglogster?

Glogster EDU is a Web 2.0 platform that allows you to easily upload photos, videos, text, audio and more to create interactive online posters.

Students can have a funny, imaginative, and powerful learning experience which fosters independent creative self-expression, positive learner-teacher relationships, and teamwork on collaborative class projects.

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXjHARlf6gs&feature=player_embedded

How do you use eduglogster?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDJIrkkQizg

EXAMPLE 1http://marinatorres.edu.glogster.com/my-pet/

EXAMPLE 2 http://kathyscarpato.edu.glogster.com/tech-tools-2011-2012/

ACTIVITY:

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsa5ZTRJQ5w&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL33D7E51785C66625

4 - PODOMATIC

What is Podomatic?

Podomatic is a website where anyone can find, create, distribute and listen to

podcasts and vodcasts.

VIDEO: http://minicasts.podomatic.com/play/1383317/2541575

ACTIVITY: