This document provides an overview of a professional development unit on using Web 2.0 tools to engage students. The unit is 1 hour and aims to help teachers understand what Web 2.0 tools are, how to use some tools, and how tools can motivate students. Teachers will learn about different tool types and how to incorporate tools into lessons. As an assessment, teachers will create a lesson using a presented tool and share the finished product link with peers. The unit involves a presentation on tools, an interactive activity, and a final teacher-created presentation. Feedback showed administrators and teachers were impressed with learning new tools and seeing their potential for student engagement.

1. Understanding by Design Unit Template
Title of Unit Web 2.0 Tools for Engaging Students Grade Level PK- 5th grade
Curriculum Area Professional Development Time Frame 1 hour
Developed By Ashley Miller
Identify Desired Results (Stage 1)
Content Standards
NETS-T
5. Engage in professional growth and leadership.
Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and
professional community by promoting and demonstrating effective use of digital tools and resources.
Understandings Essential Questions
Overarching Understanding Overarching Topical
What a Web2.0 Tool is.
How to use some Web2.0 tools.
How Web2.0 tools can motivate and engage students.
How can we use Web2.0
tools to engage our
students?
In what ways are Web2.0
tools beneficial to my
teaching?
What is a Web2.0 tool?
What are some of the ways
I could use Web2.0 tool?
Related Misconceptions
I don’t have time to learn about technology tools.
I can’t use technology in my lessons.
I am too old to learn about technology tools.
I don’t understand technology tools.
Knowledge
Students will know…
Skills
Students will be able to…

2. The four types of Web2.0 tools
How to utilize various Web2.0 tools into their subjects/lessons.
How to make lessons that can be fun and engaging for students.
Create a word cloud.
Develop their own lesson using a Web2.0 tool.
Share links in a discussion.
Assessment Evidence (Stage 2)
Performance Task Description
Goal
After the lesson, teachers will be able to successfully use a Web 2.0 tool to engage their students and
share the link of their work with their peers.
Role
Under the guidance and instruction of the teachers and media specialist, students will be responsible
for creating their own book trailers.
Audience Teachers and Administration
Situation Administration and teachers are looking for new ways to motivate students and present work.
Product/Performance
Teachers will create a lesson utilizing one of the Web2.0 tools presented to them, and share with
their peers the link of the finished product.
Standards
AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner
1. Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge.
1.1.8 Demonstrate mastery of technology tools for accessing information and pursuing inquiry.
1.2.2. Demonstrate confidence and self-direction by making independent choices in the
selection of resources and information.
1.3.1 Respect copyright/intellectual property rights of creators and producers.
1.3.5 Use information technology responsibly.
1.4.4. Seek appropriate help when needed.
2. Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations,
and create new knowledge.
2.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to analyze and organize information.
2.1.6 Use the writing process, media and visual literacy, and technology skills to create
products that express new understandings.
2.2.4 Demonstrate personal productivity by completing products to express learning.

3. 4. Pursue personal and aesthetic growth.
4.1.8 Use creative and artistic formats to express personal learning.
Other Evidence
Teachers will be able to find other Web2.0 tool resources to utilize within their classrooms.
Teachers will be able to share lesson plans with their peers.
Learning Plan (Stage 3)
Lesson Plan Teachers will listen to a presentation about Web2.0 tools. The lesson will
discuss the types of Web2.0 tools there are, and a small list of some of the
tools they can use.
Teachers will participate in a small game during the presentation to get an
understanding of one of the tools provided.
After the presentation, teachers may utilize a Lesson Path which takes the
teachers to the actual websites. The Lesson Path will show the presentation
again but also assess the teachers through various activities.
Teachers will create a final presentation and share their knowledge and the
skills they have gained in a linked discussion.
At the end of the lesson, teachers will be asked to provide any comments or
feedback that they may have utilizing a survey.
Reflection and Feedback The administration was impressed with the presentation, and even stated
that they learned some new things. The principal was excited to see that
some of the teachers were taking notes and participating in the presentation.
The next day I was pursued by a few teachers that said they utilized the
Web2.0 tools at home, and were now using them within the classrooms. Not
only were they excited about sharing the tools with the students, but the
students were excited to try something new with technology.

4. I believe that with the teachers being able to see how easy it was to use
some of the Web2.0 tools, they were provided with the confidence to try out
some of the tools themselves.
From: Wiggins, Grant and J. Mc Tighe. (1998). Understanding by Design, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
ISBN # 0-87120-313-8 (ppk)