Austin's+Web+2.0+Page

Everyone knows that we need to implement technology into education better. But how do we use it efficiently? How do we ensure technology is making the process of learning simpler for the student and not more difficult?

How do stop throwing iPads and SmartBoards around and truly make use of the tools available in ways that make sense and are applicable? Whoa!!! Whoa!!! There's no need to be playing frisbee with your iPad! The answer is truly simple: the emerging field of Web 2.0. Most of us use Web 2.0 tools all the time and do not even know it! Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and every other social networking site are some of the most successful example of Web 2.0. But beyond mindlessly scrolling through news feeds and re-tweeting what Rihanna had for breakfast today a world of educational wonder and utility exists. One such tool of fantastical mystery and educational wonder is Wikispaces.com!

That's right folks, this very website is an example of an educationally friendly tool of student engagement and assessment! Web 2.0 tools vary greatly in the amount of control the user has over input and creation. Wikispaces is among the most user friendly and controllable though!

But Austin, how can a teacher use Wikispaces to help their students learn? Great question disembodied voice of the internet! Let me give you an example related to Secondary Social Studies!

Let's assume you're teaching a unit on Westward Expansion in US History. You've covered a plethora of factors into why and how Euro-American settlers moved west. The Gold Rushes, Manifest Destiny, the Homestead Act, the Oregon Trail and so on. You could assign each student in your class (or if your a kind fella put them in small groups) a piece of the puzzle that is Westward Expansion. Each student or group has to make an informative wikispace educating their fellow students on their topic. Because you've planned ahead well the pages are all linked together under one heading and by the end of the project students will have created a beautiful compendium of their learning on the unit. The space will essentially exist forever and can not only be used as an educational tool in the future but as a piece of internet-searchable information. Your students will have created this great resource and every will (okay, could) know about it!

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