This document discusses increasing the use of Web 2.0 tools like blogs, social networking, and videoconferencing to improve 21st century learning skills. It defines Web 2.0 tools as interactive websites where users create and share content, and defines 21st century skills as the skills students need to succeed, including core subjects, innovation, life/career skills, and technology literacy. The document then provides examples of educational blogs and outlines three ways blogs can be set up, how blogs can be used in the classroom, and resources for getting started with blogging. It concludes by guiding the creation of a free blog on edublogs.org.

1. Increasing the Use of Web2.0 Tools to Improve 21st Century Learning SkillsJune 29th & July 1st 2010

2. What are Web 2.0 Tools? Interactive tools for the internetUsers create their own content on the webBlogs (posts and comments)Social Networking (Facebook, MySpace)YouTube, TeacherTubeChat, IMSkype, Videoconferencing

3. What are 21st Century Skills?The skills that our students will need to succeed in the 21st century in terms of core subject knowledge, learning and innovation skills, life and career skills, and technology literacy.

4. What is a Blog?Parts:HeaderPagesPostsCommentsSidebarsWidgets

5. Educational Blog ExamplesMy 3 blogs: McCann Forensics: http://mccannforensics.edublogs.orgMcCann Biology: http://mccannbiology.edublogs.orgMrs. Mucci’s Science Classes: http://mucci.edublogs.orgThe Edublog Awards: http://edublogawards.com/Blog Index: http://supportblogging.com/Links+to+School+Bloggers (and this page is a wiki!)Take a few minutes to explore these links and see how others are using blogs

6. 3 Ways to Set-up Your BlogBlog creator is the only author, other users can comment Example: Mrs. Mucci’s Science ClassesStudents are authors, they can create posts and comment on posts Example: McCann Forensics & McCann BiologyStudents have their own blog linked to the class blog, they have control over their own blog pagesExample: Rumford Writers

7. How Can You Use a Blog In Your Class?Take a moment to think about what type of blog you may want to useConsider who should be authors of contentBrainstorm 3-5 ideas for lessons that could incorporate your blog

8. Resources You Can UseUse the McCann Educational Technology website to find resources, and ask questions! We can update this continuously to help you figure out how to do anything youwant to do: http://mccannedtech.edublogs.orgGetting Started With EdublogsManual: http://help.edublogs.org/getting-started-with-edublogs/10 Ways to Use Your Edublogto Teach: http://edublogs.org/10-ways-to-use-your-edublog-to-teach/Search for other examples of classroom blogs for inspiration

9. Set Up Your Free BlogCreate a free account at http://www.edublogs.orgLet’s explore your new Dashboard togetherPick a themeAdd widgetsFill in your ‘About’ pageAdd your content!