This document discusses the use of Web 2.0 tools to support engaged learning. It notes that K-12 classrooms and higher education students are increasingly using Web 2.0 resources across subjects. Examples of popular Web 2.0 tools mentioned include Google Docs, Dropbox, blogs, wikis, and cloud-based portfolios. The document also references research showing that Web 2.0 tools enable interaction, collaboration, and contributions from users. Questions are provided about how educators are currently using Web 2.0 tools personally and with students. Contact information is given for presenters from Lamar University's College of Education.

1. Lamar University
College of Educational
Educational Leadership
Beaumont, TX
Web 2.0 Tools to Support
Engaged Learning
Sheryl Abshire, Ph.D.
Kay Abernathy, Ed.D.
Diane Mason, Ph.D.
Cindy Cummings, Ed.D.

2. Web 2.0/Literacy
• K-12 & higher ed are huge consumers of dynamic user-
centered Web 2.0 resources.
• K-12 classrooms & higher ed students using a wealth of
Web 2.0 resources across subject areas.
• Web 2.0 resources are available to students and
teachers to create engaged interactive learning
environment.
• King (2011) observed students’ culture
has dramatically changed
• To align with student’s world,
educators have altered their pedagogical approaches.

3. Web 2.0/Literacy
• New pedagogical approaches are student centered and
are in response to the cultural and literacy demands of
the information age.
• Solomon and Schrum (2007) defined literacy today
“acquiring new skills, including those of using
technology, understanding science, having global
awareness, and most important, having the ability to
keep learning” (p.20).
• Consequently, we have seen huge strides made in
contributing to the growth of literacy with the use of
Web 2.0 tools.

4. Web 2.0 Research
• Enables interaction and collaboration (Parker &
Chao, 2007; Tapscott & Williams, 2008)
• One-fifth of US higher education students actively
contributing content to blogs, wikis, photo or video
websites and 18% contributed regularly to at least
three of these (OECD, 2009)
• Relatively new paradigm which enables
contributions and communication (Mills, 2007)

5. Web 2.0 Tools
• EdShelf
• Google Tools, Slideshare, AudioBoo
• DropBox, DropVox, & MediaFire
• Web Conferencing, Skype, Google Talk/Chat Hangouts
• Animoto, Podcasts, Stykz, Audacity, Wordle, Tagxedo
• Assistive Technologies
• YouTube, TeacherTube, SchoolTube, YouTube
Education
• WikiSpaces, Blogger, WordPress
• EdTech Toolbox
• Best Web 2.0 Tools

6. Questions: Web 2.0 Tools
• What Web 2.0 tools and resources impact
the way you learn, communicate, and assess
growth?
• How are you currently using Web 2.0
personally and/or with students?

7. edshelf
Edshelf is a directory of digital tools for educators
• www.edshelf.com
• Discover new tools
• See what other educators use
• Rate and review your favorite tools

8. Dropbox
What is Dropbox?
• Any file you save to Dropbox also instantly saves to your computers,
phones, and the Dropbox website.
• 2GB of Dropbox for free, with subscriptions up to 100GB available.
• Your files are always available from the secure Dropbox website.
• Dropbox works with Windows, Mac, Linux, iPad, iPhone, Android
and Blackberry
• Works even when offline. You always have your files, whether or not
you have a connection.
• Dropbox transfers just the parts of a file that change (not the whole
thing).
• Manually set bandwidth limits — Dropbox won’t hog
your connection.

9. Dropbox
Your stuff is safe
• Dropbox protects your files without you needing to think
about it.
• Dropbox keeps a one-month history of your work.
• Any changes can be undone, and files can be undeleted.
• Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and AES-256 bit encryption.
Price Title Capacity
Free Basic 2gb storage
$9.99/month Pro 50 50gb storage
$19.99/month Pro 100 100gb storage

10. eBlogger
• A blog gives you your own voice on the web. It’s a place to
collect and share things that you find interesting—
whether it’s your educational thinking, political
commentary, a personal diary, or links to web sites you
want to remember.
• Many people use a blog just to organize their own
thoughts, while others command influential, worldwide
audiences of thousands.
• Professional and amateur journalists use blogs to publish
breaking news, while personal journalers reveal inner
thoughts.
• Example: Dr. Kay Abernathy
http://kabernathy.blogspot.com/?view=timeslide#!/

11. Google Docs
• Google Docs is one of many cloud computing
document-sharing services.
• The majority of document-sharing services require
user fees, whereas Google Docs is free.
• Its popularity is growing due to enhanced sharing
features and accessibility.
• Google Docs has enjoyed a rapid rise in popularity
among students and educational institutions

12. Google Docs
• Google Docs is Google's "software as a service" office
suite.
• Documents, spreadsheets, presentations can be created
with Google Docs, imported through the web interface, or
sent via email.
• Documents can be saved to a user's local computer in a
variety of formats (ODF, HTML, PDF, RTF, Text, Microsoft
Office).
• Documents are automatically saved to Google's servers to
prevent data loss, and a revision history is automatically
kept so past edits may be viewed .

13. Google Docs
• Documents can be tagged and archived for organizational
purposes.
• Google Docs serves as a collaborative tool for editing
amongst in real time.
• Documents can be shared, opened, and edited by multiple
users at the same time.
• Users cannot be notified of changes, but the application
can notify users when a comment or discussion is made or
replied to, facilitating collaboration.

14. Cloud Computing
Professional Eportfolio
Samples - Google
• Sara Tarragona
http://www.sites.google.com/site/sarabaragona/
• Janette Hill
https://sites.google.com/site/janettehilleportfolio
• Pamela Comer
https://sites.google.com/site/visionforedtechleadersh
ip/final-comprehensive-exam

15. Cloud Computing Samples
• Marie Grigsby
https://sites.google.com/site/mariegrigsby/
• Matthew Kitchens
https://sites.google.com/site/gradesandupgrades/home
• Paula Brewton
https://sites.google.com/site/brewtonsinternshipportfolio/

16. Cloud Computing
Professional Eportfolio
Samples - Google
Teacher Collaboration
• Kathy Payne, Erin Cobb, Michelle Barber
https://sites.google.com/site/science2project/home

17. Web 2.0
Promising
Practices
• Collaboration
• Project-based Learning
• Personalized Learning (Choices)
• Standards-based
• Critical Reflection
• Authentic Assessment
• Mentoring, Coaching, and Peer Review

18. Contact Information
Sheryl Abshire, Ph.D.
sheryl.abshire@lamar.edu
Kay Abernathy, Ed.D.
kay.abernathy@lamar.edu

19. Presentation in slideshare.net
Tiny URL
http://tinyurl.com/8qmg6xr

20. For More Information:
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
http://luonline.lamar.edu/ACP/graduate/med_edtechleadshp.htm
http://lamar.edu/
http://stateu.com/lamar/