BP5_2009122_Discovering Web 2.0 Tools

Electronically Archiving Students’ Learning Development.

Objectives:
- Increased Media Literacy Skills
- Practice of Professional Skills
o Cyber Etiquette
o Interpersonal skill development
o Job readiness skill development
o 21st Century Technologies skill development

The following suggestions will allow all Educators to add Director to their resume, as learning environments can easily become one’s very own Multi Media Video Production Studio. Each classroom, across academic disciplines, can now be could be set up to be a pod, video, broadcasting with the group project being a collective news show. Where learners practice and rotate through the different responsibilities of the professional careers of a reporter, writer, researcher, announcer, technical crew, videographer, editor and producer.

Classroom learning environments can create a news show on a unit of study, weekly, and even a daily practice of live broadcasting each morning, afternoon, or evening.

Materials needed:
- Digital Camera
- imovies
- Internet access

Through the practice of experiencing web 2.0 applications one can create a professional learning environment that promotes Career Technical Education where learners have the opportunity to learn with the use of technologies. The following web 2.0 applications both support the classroom activity of producing a News Show.

New web 2.0 Applications:

http://www.funnelbrain.com
Funnel Brain is a web 2.0 application that allows users to electronically create flash cards on a specific topic, as well as search topic and other individuals or groups of learners. Users can use Funnel Brain as a social network to create study groups and the ability to create tests. Funnel Brain is easy to use and applicable to all academic disciplines. Users interested in vocabulary development and content enrichment can use funnel brain to incorporate other media literacy resources that promote language development: www.wordsmith.org and www.dictionay.com

Funnel Brain is a useful application for high school learners who are exploring different professional careers. As users can create electronic flash cards to support vocabulary development related to industry specific vernacular.

http://sprouter.com
Sprouter is a new web 2.0 application that is similar to twitter’s social networking platform and more specific to entrepreneurs interested in networking with other like-minded professionals. Sprouter is an excellent resource to allow high school students the platform to practice professionalism while networking in cyberspace. As learners can create accounts that highlight their Career Technical Education industry research and intended pathways to future employment.

The educational benefits of incorporating new web 2.0 applications provides for:
- Increased student engagement in-group work.
- Student practice with professional skills
- Media Literacy skill development