Web 2.0 Technology

Since most online learning is completed using the Internet, it is very easy to integrate Web 2.0 technology into online learning. Web 2.0 tools allow students to become more engaged because they make learning interactive instead of requiring students to simply retrieve information off of the Internet.

Social Media Tools:

Many of these tools used in online courses involve social media. Many educators believe that the use of social media in the virtual classroom will encourage student participation, collaboration, and discussions. Several social media tools are shown below. You can click on each icon to go to the corresponding website.

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

Community Tools:

In addition to these social media tools, many other Web 2.0 tools are specifically designed to facilitate  community-building, communication, and the sharing of work with others. Some of these tools are designed only for instructors, while others are designed for general use. In both cases, this technology  makes it easy for students to share information and discuss it with others, and for institutions to share with each other. Several examples are listed below and each icon is linked to it's associated website.

Classroom 2.0

PBWorks

Edmodo

Creative tools:

Still other Web 2.0 tools are designed to help educators and students express ideas in many different ways. These include presentation, photo creating and sharing, organization, and blogging tools. Individuals have the opportunity to use their creativity to create, display, and share information on the Internet. The icons below link to several of these Web 2.0 tools.

Smilebox

Smilebox allows the user to upload photos and organize them into a slideshow, poster, card, or any other design of their choosing. Then they can add text and music to the photos. Then the final product can be shared with others through social media, personal website, or email, or can be printed.




Class Blogmeister

Class Blogmeister allows teachers and students to create blogs that they can use to teach and learn. This can be a primary means of communication and sharing information in an online class.

Voicethread

Voicethread provides the opportunity to communicate with others by recording your voice and at the same time showing images, photos, PowerPoint presentations, etc. This means of communication is often more effective than the written word and is frequently used in online learning.