This document discusses using Web 2.0 technologies to enhance learning in the classroom. It provides an overview of Web 2.0, why it should be used in education, and details a project where teachers explored using Web 2.0 tools like Edmodo. The project involved setting up an online classroom space using Edmodo, introducing students to it, and using it to extend classroom activities. Teachers found it enhanced communication and engagement while reinforcing effective pedagogy.

1. Exploring the Use of Web 2.0 in
Your Class in 2012
AGQTP Program 2011:
Leveraging Web 2.0 for Authentic Learning
http://bit.ly/msweb2pres

2. Web 2.0 Overview

3. What is Web 2.0?
The internet as you and I know it, used to its full
potential to:
Connect
Communicate
Collaborate
Create

4. Why use Web 2.0 in education?
A tool-set for enhancing pedagogy:
Differentiated curriculum
Scaffolding and encouraging higher-order thinking
Developing students as ‘independent learners’
Enquiry learning and student as teacher/learner
Collaborative learning
Engagement and active participation
Access to resources beyond the time/space of the
traditional classroom

5. Why use Web 2.0 in education?
Real-world relevance:
Authentic audience
Connected and collaborative learning beyond the classroom
Reflects today’s digital society
Supports development of skills for a “knowledge economy”
Promotes digital literacy and awareness (digital
footprint, cyber safety, critical reading, etc)
Supports development of skills, attitudes and values for
empowerment in 21st century digital world

6. Our Students’ Future
“Increasingly, technology skills are also
critical to success in almost every arena, and those
who are more facile with technology will advance
while those without access or skills will not.”
NMC Horizon Report: 2011 K-12 Edition, p. 4.

7. Our Students’ Future
“learning to collaborate with others and
connect through technology are essential skills
in a knowledge based economy.”
2011 Telstra Whitepaper on Education, p. 16.

8. It’s Not About the Tools
Web 2.0 in education best practice:
Establishes a class online space as an extension of the
existing classroom.
Maximises time available for active teaching and student
thinking and discussion during class time.
Applies technology based on pedagogical principles.
Uses Web 2.0 to promote higher order
thinking, engagement, relevance, real-world
connection, enhance teaching and learning, foster digital
literacy.
Begins with small steps that are well planned and
purposeful, followed by reflection and consolidation.

9. Our AGQTP Web 2.0
Project in 2011

10. Our Project
12 staff on 3 campuses
After school and full-day workshops
Explored the use of Web 2.0 technologies in the
classroom to enhance learning
Pedagogical basis
Individual and small-group learning and
skilling, followed by applications in the classroom
Varied classroom applications based on
confidence, competence, curriculum, class, etc.

11. What we did...
1. Set up a “smart online space” (a website to act as the online
home for the class) using Edmodo.
2. Introduced the class to the space, its purpose and how to use it
(including guidelines for conduct, privacy, etc).
3. Began using the online space as an extension of the classroom
(homework reminders, handouts, embedded
videos, assignments, sharing resources, class activities, student
collaboration, continuing discussions about topics outside the
classroom, etc).
4. Some participants used this space as the starting point for
incorporation of other educational Web 2.0 tools.

12. AGQTP Participant Projects
Some Inspiration:
Use of Edmodo as a platform for various classroom and
homework activities
Online presentation of student work (individually and in groups)
for authentic global audiences
Use of mind-mapping tools to make thinking visible
Collaborative brainstorming tools
Use of RSS feeds as an efficient learning resource
Class blog project on a specific theme
http://ccgweb2project.wordpress.com/2011/11/03/showandtell/

13. Our Experience
Varied levels of competence and confidence
Technical challenges
Reinforced effective pedagogy and reflection about what
that is
All participants found that participation was a valuable
experience for themselves and their students
Enhanced communication between teacher and students
and amongst students
Helped make class activities and projects more real, rich
and relevant for students

14. Edmodo as a potential
“Smart Online Space”
for Your Class:
General Overview
Further Tutorials and Support:
1. http://help.edmodo.com/?subdomain=ccg
2. http://bit.ly/edmodohelp