I think teachers and students share some of the same benefits of CyberLearning. The knowledge base is nearly limitless and opportunities for collaboration abound. While teachers do save quite a bit of time in having access to materials and information, the vast wealth of that information can be overwhelming too! And while having such access can present some ethical and legal temptations, it is an opportunity to clearly and explicitly teach the moral and societal implications and duties of ethical behavior on the Web -- Web 2.0.

1. WEB 2.0 RESOURCES
by Katherine Loos
Making learning fun
Making learning meaningful
Making learning memorable
Making learning cooperative

2. What is the definition of Web 2.0?
It is the term used to describe today’s internet.
The Web has undergone a dramatic
transformation since the “World Wide Web” of
the 1990’s. During those years, this version of
the web simply allowed for a limited and
passive intake of content which was created by
people who had knowledge of HTML. Today’s
Web, Web 2.0, has opened up access of the
virtual marketplace to everyone, even those
without computer language knowledge. The
hallmark of this Web 2.0 is that content is not
just consumed passively, but it can be created
by anyone, anywhere and anytime,
individually or collaboratively and that content
can be shared. Perhaps one could say that
today’s web is truly the WORLD Wide Web.
WEB 2.0
“Web 2.0 is not a
technological revolution,
it is a social revolution”
(Downes, 2005).
Downes, S. (2005, October). E-learning 2.0. Learn Magaz

3. What is Cyberlearning?
“Cyberlearning is the use of networked
computing and communication technologies
to support learning. By dynamically
integrating the Internet and social media into
instruction, cyberlearning is transforming
learning opportunities while requiring new
perspectives on teaching” (Smaldino, et. Al.,
2015, p. 113).
Cyberlearning also has an element of purely
learning about the technology itself, learning
how to trouble-shoot equipment and also
dynamically figuring out ways to apply this
technology in innovative ways.
Why is Cyberlearning Important?
1. Helps build a global community of
teachers, learners, producers and problem-
solvers;
2. Enhances learning and provides
opportunities for students to not only receive
feedback, but contribute to and enhance the
learning of others;
3. Increases the readiness, accessibility and
wealth of knowledge, not just from peers but
also experts and those with first-hand and
often, experiential, knowledge;
4. Infuses data-driven instruction to track
progress and pinpoints areas of strength and
weakness and provide feedback
(cyberlearning.org).
CYBERLEARNING
Smaldino, S. E., Lowther, D.L. & Russell, J.D. & Mims, C. (2015).
Instructional Technology and Media for Learning.
Get EXCITED about the benefits of CyberLearning! Retrieved from
http://www.cyberlearning.org/clu_academies/benefits_of_cyberlearning.pdf.

4. When I last taught in 2002, I would take
painstaking time using poster-board,
markers, index cards, envelopes, chalk and
whatever else I could find to try to make a
Jeopardy game. Then, the students would
sometimes have trouble seeing the board and
while I can remember the kids having overall
fun, I remember feeling frustrated at the
waste of time and the quality of my finished
product. Now Web 2.0 resources such as
JeopardyLabs are available and can be used to
easily and quickly create a game and then it
is automatically available worldwide for
anyone with the url. The site also offers a
browsing option to search for games.
 Given the opportunity to teach this coming
year, I created this game in advance as a
review for the end of a Black History unit.
(It took more time for me to research the
information I wanted to include in my unit
than it took to actually create the game
itself!)
 I also plan to offer this as an activity for
students to create games for their peers to
review things such as vocabulary, roots,
prefixes etc.
 I can consider using this as a regular
activity to drill and review
vocabulary as well.
http://jeopardylabs.com/play/rev-martin-luther-king-jr
JEOPARDY GAME

5.  Given the opportunity to teach this coming
year, I plan to include short videos into
many of my lessons as a matter of routine.
 And, with administrator approval, I’d like
to offer my students the opportunity to
write and then record and then, with
parental approval, upload their own “I
Have a Dream” speeches.
SCHOOLTUBE
Wondering if a “school” or “kid-friendly”
YouTube existed as I searched for a recording
of Rev. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech, I
conducted a Google search and happened
upon SchoolTube. It is exactly what is sounds
like - a “YouTube” for schools. The website
bears a long list of leading educational
organizations who have offered their
endorsements. According to their website,
“SchoolTube.com is the nation's largest K-12
moderated video sharing platform, specifically
designed for students and educators.” The
website also reports that the site is safe, fun
and informative. From their reports, there are
over 500,000 videos from around the globe.
I like that a “comments” section is not
available at all and that the video uploads are
moderated locally as well.

6.  I plan to demonstrate the use of
StudyShack as a tool during the first week
of school via a lesson and quiz on my
rules, procedures and policies prior.
 I am going to incorporate StudyShack into
any lessons that require memorization
such as vocabulary and require that
students take turns (I can set up a
schedule) creating the flashcards for their
peers.
 I also plan to share this resource with
parents and point out how families might
considering using the site to study for
other subjects as well, even the SAT.
STUDYSHACK
On its website, StudyShack is described as a
“community of students and teachers who
have “shared millions of flashcards.
StudyStack's founder, John Weidner, started
the web site as a hobby out of his desire to
contribute to the educational community.
StudyStack has operated as a free advertiser
supported business - which is the price
preferred by most students and teachers.”
The site is free (!) and instead of offering just
flashcards, users can use the flashcard
material to take quizzes or tests as well. The
flashcard content can be studied with games
too, such as hangman, crossword puzzles, just
to name two.

7. CHALLENGES
1. What about students who do not have access to portable devices such as Smartphones
and tablets to use the StudyShack flashcards, example, to study?
2. What kind of technology will I have available to me as a teacher, both in my classroom
and perhaps in a resource room, for example? What kind of troubleshooting and
support services are available? Will I be prepared in advance for cases of technical
difficulties?
3. What are some ways that teachers can make this technology in a way that is seamless
throughout the classroom period, throughout an entire learning unit and the year itself?
4. What are some ways to overcome students not fulfilling the responsibility of logging on
at home, for example, to complete assignments and collaborating with their peers outside
of the classroom on group projects, for example?