Evaluating Web 2.0 Tools

1. +
Evaluating Web 2.0 Tools
Considerations in choosing resources

2. +
Does It Enhance the Content Being
Taught?
 Before choosing a tool, the teacher should ask themselves
what the tool adds to the content being taught. If the tool
doesn’t enhance the content then it really won’t be helpful in
teaching or learning.
 Web 2.0 tools should not be used just for the sake of using
them. They should add something valuable to the lesson that
wouldn’t have been possible without them.

3. +
Is the Tool User Friendly?
 As discussed in the Xtranormal “Web 2.0 Tool Evaluation
Criteria” video, the resource should not become the focus of
the learning. If a tool is too difficult to use, the student will
spend time trying to figure it out rather than learning the content
of the lesson.
Web 2.0 Tool Evaluation Criteria. 2011. Retrieved from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4UAXC8-d7U&feature=youtu.be

4. +
Is the Tool Accessible for All
Students?
 Some tools have stringent age or use restrictions and may not be
realistic for use in a K-12 classroom. A student should not be
ostracized by a tool due to social or economic inability to
participate, such as through an expense for registering. In using
the tool, the teacher should evaluate it’s terms of use before hand
to determine if it is appropriate for the demographic and age of the
student’s in their classroom ( Online Learning Consortium, 2014).
Online Learning Consortium. 2014. Retrieved from:
http://olc.onlinelearningconsortium.org/Web_2.0_Selection_Criteria_Save_Time_Choosing_a
n_Appropriate_Tool

5. +
Does the Tool Reduce Barriers to
Learning?
 Web 2.0 tools should help to reduce learning barriers in
addition to enhancing the content being taught. Web 2.0 tools
can be a great way to reach auditory, visual or tactile learning
styles or students with learning challenges. These
considerations should be taken into account when evaluating
the usefulness of these tools.

6. +
Is the Tool Engaging and Fun?
 Web 2.0 tools should be both informative and fun, and should
make the students want to learn more about the content. If the
tool does not engage students then there will be no real benefit
to using them.