Using Web 2.0 Tools to Enhance Differentiated Learning Roger Nevin & Cynthia Sargeant connectingeducation@gmail.com Bridging the Gap Connecting education with how young people use digital technology in their personal lives This presentation will provide educators with resources, assignments, teaching strategies and differentiated learning opportunities that combine literacy with new technological and media trends. This presentation will be posted on our web site connectingeducation.com A non-profit web site to support educators implement new technologies in the classroom Joint YCDSB/YRDSB Presentation - March 15 2009

How this presentation will help you Ideas on how to connect education with how young people use digital technology in their personal lives Examples of lessons and assignments that work Lists of academic articles for further study Discussion of challenges Links on how to create wikis, podcasts, Photo Story and other Web 2.0 tools Discussion of Cloud Computing & Google Apps All information is at connectingeducation.com

Ideas on how to connect education with how young people use digital technology in their personal lives

Examples of lessons and assignments that work

Lists of academic articles for further study

Discussion of challenges

Links on how to create wikis, podcasts, Photo Story and other Web 2.0 tools

Discussion of Cloud Computing & Google Apps

All information is at connectingeducation.com

Important Concept ! Educators do not have to know how to use any of the technology they assign to students They need to know what the technology can produce Do not use technology for technology sake – does it improve learning ? The process of the student learning a new technology themselves is often as important or sometimes more important than the assignment.

Educators do not have to know how to use any of the technology they assign to students

They need to know what the technology can produce

Do not use technology for technology sake – does it improve learning ?

The process of the student learning a new technology themselves is often as important or sometimes more important than the assignment.

Students’ contrast "Anecdotal evidence and research suggest that teachers' integration of digital tools into instruction is sporadic. Many young people's reliance on digital technology in their outside lives stands in sharp contrast to their limited use of it in school.“ A Digital Decade. , Education Week , 3/29/2007, Vol. 26, Issue 30

"Anecdotal evidence and research suggest that teachers' integration of digital tools into instruction is sporadic. Many young people's reliance on digital technology in their outside lives stands in sharp contrast to their limited use of it in school.“

A Digital Decade. , Education Week , 3/29/2007, Vol. 26, Issue 30

How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century. (cover story Dec. 2006) How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century “ There's a dark little joke exchanged by educators with a dissident streak: Rip Van Winkle awakens in the 21st century after a hundred-year snooze and is, of course, utterly bewildered by what he sees. Men and women dash about, talking to small metal devices pinned to their ears. Young people sit at home on sofas, moving miniature athletes around on electronic screens. Older folk defy death and disability with metronomes in their chests and with hips made of metal and plastic. Airports, hospitals, shopping malls--every place Rip goes just baffles him. But when he finally walks into a schoolroom, the old man knows exactly where he is. "This is a school," he declares. "We used to have these back in 1906. Only now the blackboards are green."

Important Concept ! Best way to learn a technology or most things is…. On-line videos How do you tie a tie ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbXzI-IAdSc connectingeducation.com has tutorial videos on creating podcasts, wikis and Photo Story

Best way to learn a technology or most things is….

On-line videos

How do you tie a tie ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbXzI-IAdSc

connectingeducation.com has tutorial videos on creating podcasts, wikis and Photo Story

Technology that students use in their personal lives… podcasts & MP3 players "...podcasts offer some of the most promising content for today's social studies classroom. " George B. Lipscomb, Lisa Marie Guenther and Perry McLeod.Social Education 71.3 (April 2007): p120(5). "..rather than spend his time confiscating MP3 players from students, he integrates them into learning by involving students in scripting, recording, editing, and sharing Podcasts" Lamb, Annette, and Larry Johnson. "Podcasting in the school library, part 2: creating powerful Podcasts with your students.(infotech). ." Teacher Librarian .

podcasts & MP3 players

"...podcasts offer some of the most promising content for today's social studies classroom. " George B. Lipscomb, Lisa Marie Guenther and Perry McLeod.Social Education 71.3 (April 2007): p120(5).

"..rather than spend his time confiscating MP3 players from students, he integrates them into learning by involving students in scripting, recording, editing, and sharing Podcasts" Lamb, Annette, and Larry Johnson. "Podcasting in the school library, part 2: creating powerful Podcasts with your students.(infotech). ." Teacher Librarian .

Ipods & MP3 players in the classroom used as a reward opportunity make connections helps students “isolate” during independent work some students focus better if they are listening to music giving students some sort of “choice” = more cooperative

used as a reward

opportunity make connections

helps students “isolate” during independent work

some students focus better if they are listening to music

giving students some sort of “choice” = more cooperative

Wikipedia Allow students to use it ? YES ! "study after study has found that Wikipedia is, in fact, reasonably accurate as a general knowledge source” School Library Journal. 53.6 (June 2007): 26(1).

Allow students to use it ?

YES !

"study after study has found that Wikipedia is, in fact, reasonably accurate as a general knowledge source” School Library Journal. 53.6 (June 2007): 26(1).

Why Wikipedia can be a valuable teaching tool It can teach information literacy It’s a quick and easy way to get information on a subject the student isn’t familiar with It can be used as a starting point for research Wikipedia articles often come with images, charts and graphs which can be helpful for students who struggle with reading a lot of text Wikipedia is very current and relevant – can search topics which students are interested in such as skateboarding Also a lower reading level is available called Simple English Wikipedia

It can teach information literacy

It’s a quick and easy way to get information on a subject the student isn’t familiar with

It can be used as a starting point for research

Wikipedia articles often come with images, charts and graphs which can be helpful for students who struggle with reading a lot of text

Wikipedia is very current and relevant – can search topics which students are interested in such as skateboarding

Also a lower reading level is available called Simple English Wikipedia

Wikis defn:A wiki is a collaborative website which can be directly edited by anyone with access to it. Anyone can create a wiki for free. Excellent tool for student group work Teacher Wikis Teacher -Darrell Wright Collaboration Wikis

defn:A wiki is a collaborative website which can be directly edited by anyone with access to it.

Anyone can create a wiki for free.

Excellent tool for student group work

Teacher Wikis Teacher -Darrell Wright

Collaboration Wikis

Photostory Is a free downloadable program from MicroSoft Allows students to create movies which combine images, text, voice, music and sound effects Easy to use Most secondary students can use it with no training Biography project from a grade 3 Student

Is a free downloadable program from MicroSoft

Allows students to create movies which combine images, text, voice, music and sound effects

Easy to use

Most secondary students can use it with no training

Photo Story “ “ data suggested that digital story telling enriched the classroom learning environment, the curriculum, and student learning experiences by providing an open-ended, creative and motivating productive tool in the classroom. In addition, teachers perceived students to be motivated and excited to use the computer, digital camera, the Internet and Photo Story to develop their stories,particularly in connection with real world problems” Association for Educational Communications and Technology 2008 - International Review – 11 April 2008 school.

“ “ data suggested that digital story telling enriched the classroom learning environment, the curriculum, and student learning experiences by providing an open-ended, creative and motivating productive tool in the classroom. In addition, teachers perceived students to be motivated and excited to use the computer, digital camera, the Internet and Photo Story to develop their stories,particularly in connection with real world problems” Association for Educational Communications and Technology 2008 - International Review – 11 April 2008 school.

THE RESULT???

Student Response This was fun! I liked being able to move around! It was great doing something different than a book report! I learned a lot about the novel! I got to know people in the class better! Can we do it again? See comments

This was fun!

I liked being able to move around!

It was great doing something different than a book report!

I learned a lot about the novel!

I got to know people in the class better!

Can we do it again?

See comments

PhotoStory – Movie Trailer Assignment where students have to create a movie trailer for a book they have read. Seven groups submitted Photo Stories.

Assignment where students have to create a movie trailer for a book they have read. Seven groups submitted Photo Stories.

Podcasts defn:Posting or transmitting an audio file to be downloaded and viewed/heard by other internet users either on a computer or MP3 player. Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. See download link at connectingeduction.com (click on podcasts) Podcast example from boysread.com

defn:Posting or transmitting an audio file to be downloaded and viewed/heard by other internet users either on a computer or MP3 player.

Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds.

See download link at connectingeduction.com (click on podcasts)

Podcast example from boysread.com

Podcasts students can do Do French oral assignments as an MP3 (can e-mail assignment to teacher) Do book talks for English as a podcast Create a radio play or interview (any subject) Do a dramatic reading from a novel (adding music and sound effects)- Create a podcast based on a written script (any subject) Conduct an interview and create a podcast (any subject) Do a debate as a podcast Make a Public Service Announcement (see social justice podcast) Create a walking tour (school, city etc.) Record a lecture as an MP3 Research a topic and record findings as a podcast Conduct a science experiment and record findings as a podcast Interview with an author and create a podcast (or insert it into a book talk) Create a radio advertisement Use podcasting to augment a photostory (see Whirligig) Method by which students can review material-record study notes in MP3 format and then listen on IPOD Create a news broadcast based on a historical event

Video "It's very clear-kids want a voice. They have an inherent desire to be heard and this site gives them that opportunity. Now we can stick our heads in the sand and ignore YouTube, or we can use it to motivate students." YouTube Comes to the Classroom. By: Adam, Anna, Mowers, Helen, School Library Journal, 03628930, Jan2007

"It's very clear-kids want a voice. They have an inherent desire to be heard and this site gives them that opportunity. Now we can stick our heads in the sand and ignore YouTube, or we can use it to motivate students." YouTube Comes to the Classroom. By: Adam, Anna, Mowers, Helen, School Library Journal, 03628930, Jan2007

Video Free on-line Videos youtube.com (search “Ignite! Learning”) teachertube.com (small but growing site) On-Line video assignments have a number of challenges compared to using PhotoStory must access to a video camera know how to use a video editing suite privacy issues when posting on-line very large files (difficult to email)

Free on-line Videos

youtube.com (search “Ignite! Learning”)

teachertube.com (small but growing site)

On-Line video assignments have a number of challenges compared to using PhotoStory

must access to a video camera

know how to use a video editing suite

privacy issues when posting on-line

very large files (difficult to email)

Video Teachers can produce their own videos This 6 minute video took about 3 hours to write, tape, edit and post on-line.

Teachers can produce their own videos

This 6 minute video took about 3 hours to write, tape, edit and post on-line.

Copyright issues Technically, posting material on-line which uses someone else’s creation (e.g.. Music) without permission is breaking copyright. However….10,000 of videos on youtube.com have background music from artists without permission… Generally….In the culture of young people they feel they have the “ right” to use their music as they see fit.

Technically, posting material on-line which uses someone else’s creation (e.g.. Music) without permission is breaking copyright.

However….10,000 of videos on youtube.com have background music from artists without permission…

Generally….In the culture of young people they feel they have the “ right” to use their music as they see fit.

Safety Issues Creating Photo Stories, video and even podcasts can involve physical action Action = Possibility of injury Who would be responsible ???? Permission Forms for both privacy and Safety …. Yes

Creating Photo Stories, video and even podcasts can involve physical action

Action = Possibility of injury

Who would be responsible ????

Permission Forms for both privacy and Safety …. Yes

Privacy Issues Wikis, youtube.com, Photo Story, Podcasts all allow for on-line access As an educator what do you do if.. A student wiki has inappropriate content A student who in a video, but who does not edit the video, becomes the brunt of a joke when the video is posted on-line A musician emails the school because their music is used without permission as part of a podcast

Wikis, youtube.com, Photo Story, Podcasts all allow for on-line access

As an educator what do you do if..

A student wiki has inappropriate content

A student who in a video, but who does not edit the video, becomes the brunt of a joke when the video is posted on-line

A musician emails the school because their music is used without permission as part of a podcast

Social Justice Assignment – Teacher Comments

Social Justice Assignment Student assignments received Podcast Wiki http://iocs.pbwiki.com/

Student assignments received

Podcast

Wiki http://iocs.pbwiki.com/

Student assignments received Student assignments received PhotoStory (Child Soldiers)

Student assignments received

PhotoStory (Child Soldiers)

Teacher Testimonials “ I feel that from incorporating the technology of wikis, Podcasting and Photo Story into my classroom instruction, I am a more effective, relevant and successful teacher of today's students. My students feel they are working in their strengths, while they learn new skills and do quality analysis…It's a 'win win' situation: using technology in my classroom makes me a better teacher and my students better students. Jacquie Anderson,secondary school English teacher

Teacher Testimonials “ Through these experiences, it has become clear that the teachers who embrace technology as a learning tool are better able to motivate and permeate success into their classrooms…Technology is surely the new literacy and a wonderful way to break away from conventional strategies to ensure successful, diverse and authentic learning environments.” Courtney Chartrand, secondary school English teacher

Teacher Testimonials “ I have found podcasting and Photo Story technology to be a highly effective way to engage students, especially those learners who are visual and kinisthetic. These technologies have made both historical time periods and literature come alive for my locally developed and applied students. Overall, it is a highly accessible and enriching experience for my students.” Kevin Robinson secondary school English teacher

It works with at-risk students

Conclusion Technology is a proven method to engage students of all levels Web 2.0 embraces the way young people use technology in their personal lives. The use of this technology helps students prepare for their future connectingeducation.com or contact us at [email_address]

Technology is a proven method to engage students of all levels

Web 2.0 embraces the way young people use technology in their personal lives.

The use of this technology helps students prepare for their future

connectingeducation.com or contact us at [email_address]

Cloud Computing E-mail, chat, talk Images, calendar Word processor Spreadsheet Presentation Software Wiki / Web Page Video UNDER ONE PLATFORM

E-mail, chat, talk

Images, calendar

Word processor

Spreadsheet

Presentation Software

Wiki / Web Page

Video

UNDER ONE PLATFORM

Cloud Computing Works anywhere anytime……….

Works anywhere anytime……….

Cloud Computing Works on any computer PCs, Macs, Linux Requires no hard drive space Works on many PDAs

Works on any computer

PCs, Macs, Linux

Requires no hard drive space

Works on many PDAs

Google Apps Education Edition “ Our technology and information systems are a huge selling point for parents (who) may otherwise have doubts (of sending students to our school) ” Assistant Principal, Andrew Stillman

Google Apps Education Edition Allows schools to easily communicate with parents Gives students software they can use at home without purchasing it (e.g. spreadsheets, PowerPoint) “ Our veteran staff, almost without exception, asserts that this is the best classroom software they’ve ever encountered. ” Watershed School

Allows schools to easily communicate with parents

Gives students software they can use at home without purchasing it (e.g. spreadsheets, PowerPoint)

Google Apps Education Edition Provides each user with 7GB of space which is enough space for students to do podcast and video assignments Has no ads Is FREE ! Saves school boards money … money that can be used in the classroom Is a paperless solution GREEN ! Saves printing costs “ Half a million dollars versus free. That's what (educators) are faced with as they decide whether to continue running their own e-mail services or outsource them to a professional service like Google Apps” Chronicle of Higher Education, 1/11/2008

Provides each user with 7GB of space which is enough space for students to do podcast and video assignments

Has no ads

Is FREE !

Saves school boards money … money that can be used in the classroom

Is a paperless solution

GREEN !

Saves printing costs

Google Apps Education Edition Documents are never lost – saves automatically Do not have to worry about not having the software or the correct version Can both upload and download documents off your hard drive Quick to set up Easy to administrate “ "The school dumped its own e-mail program in exchange for Google Apps in 2007 .. it freed us up to concentrate on classroom applications” Kevin Roberts, chief information officer

Documents are never lost – saves automatically

Do not have to worry about not having the software or the correct version

Can both upload and download documents off your hard drive

Quick to set up

Easy to administrate

Google Apps & Cloud Computing “ Cloud Computing” means that all files and programs are located on an Internet server somewhere… No files or programs (other than a browser) are needed on your computer

“ Cloud Computing” means that all files and programs are located on an Internet server somewhere…

No files or programs (other than a browser) are needed on your computer