Why Web 2.0 is Good for Learning and for Research: Principles and Prototypes- Salon #2 with Brenda Dyck

Salon #2 March 8, 2009 Why Web 2.0 is Good for Learning and for Research: Principles and Prototypes

Web 2.0 tool criteria

➢ Interactive. The web 2.0 tool allows for the user to be an active participant. The user brings prior knowledge and is able to manipulate and construct the particular tool to learn or create something new and meaningful.
➢ Collaborative. The web 2.0 tool allows for the user to interact, contribute and share information with other users.
➢ Higher Order thinking. The web 2.0 tool requires the user to apply higher order thinking and reasoning which is demonstrated in Bloom’s Taxonomy
➢ Creativity. The web 2.0 tool provides learner generated activities that motivate the user to construct or manipulate material.


The integration of technology enables students to expand their understanding, contribute to others learning, share with others and achieve results. This fosters the constructivism model.

1.) Slide-This web 2.0 tools meets all four criteria. It requires the user to upload photos from computer files and create a slideshow. Students are required to write captions for each picture, put them in a sequential order, choose a design for the background, a border and special effects. The student then shares the slideshow with others and can embed it into other sites such as Wikis, Blogs or Social Networking sites. In the classroom, students can use this tool to create picture storybooks of places they have traveled to or field trips that the class has taken. The students can use digital cameras when they are on the field trip, upload them into the computer and then upload them on the site. The students could also go to another site Flickr and upload pictures and create slide shows with captions.

2.) Community walk-This web 2.0 tool meets all four criteria. It requires students to pinpoint areas on a map. Information using text, photographs or video can be added to the pinpoint areas on the map. Students can use this tool for an Environmental Science lesson. Students can track present toxic sites, sites to be cleaned up, sites that have been cleaned up and designated areas that are protected areas. Students could use this tool as a means to tract different specific topics, ie: different animals and their habitats, or different flowers that grow best in certain regions.

3.) Diigo-This web 2.0 tool meets all four criteria. This tool allows users to bookmark articles of interest by adding tags to the post and sharing the articles with others. This is a great tool for students to use when researching material. Instead of going to Google and using the first four entries, the student can search Diigo with a keyword and have many accessible articles compiled by many other users.

4.) VoiceThread-This web 2.0 tool meets all four criteria. This tool allows users to share pictures, dialogue, videos and documents. Students can use this tool to learn about any topic. They can share their thoughts by either speaking or writing text next to pictures and creating opportunities for deeper investigation and more meaningful learning. The students choose icons to represent themselves. This is a good way to practice Internet safety by protecting an individual’s identity.