The document discusses Web 2.0 and its uses for digital learning. Web 2.0 allows for creation and sharing of content using various digital media like text, graphics, audio and video. It introduces common Web 2.0 tools like RSS feeds, blogs, wikis, podcasts and social bookmarks. These tools support skills like literacy, communication and thinking. Specific examples are provided for how educators and students can use each tool to support collaboration, sharing of information and self-paced learning. Equipment needs and resources for learning more about Web 2.0 applications in education are also outlined.

1. Web 2.0 Harry Potter theme song obtained from: BeeMP3, http://beemp3.com/download.php?file=1937943&song=Main+Theme Demystifying its purpose & uses for the 21st century digital learning environment (Harry Potter style...) 30 Jan 2009 Written and presented by your School Librarian

2. To start off, a nice little clip... Curriculum 2.0 (Source: Teacher Tube, “Curriculum 2.0“, http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=7006&title=Curriculum_2_0)

3. This brings us to the question of... Why is Web 2.0 beneficial to the education of young people? BUT FIRST.....

4. What is Web 2.0? (In education, also called Learning 2.0 or Curriculum 2.0) Sophisticated Internet technology that allows creation, collaboration & sharing of ideas & information using combined digital media to achieve interactive content – text, graphics, movies, audio Creating content, not just viewing/reading. Forming & contributing to personalised online communities. “We create the web – we are the web”

5. Web 2.0 tools 5 main categories. Support multiliteracies: RSS Feeds Blogs Wikis Podcasts Social bookmarks Many types of online tools within each category.

6. Today’s young people & Web 2.0 Growing up in technological era New information & learning needs: Engage with latest technology easily & willingly – appealing and enjoyable Sophisticated technology skills Prolific users of Web 2.0 technologies already Can relate to technology much more than to traditional print

7. Why use Web 2.0 in education? Skills: LITERACY, COMMUNICATION, THINKING

8. Web 2.0 tool: RSS Feeds Receive current content from regularly updateable websites (e.g. online news, blogs, wikis) via browser or e-mail. No need to re-visit website continuously to see if content changed. RSS feed readers: in-built in browsers, Bloglines, Google Reader, Pageflakes, Netvibes Educator uses: Keeping abreast of latest advances in teaching & profession from education-related blogs and online conference presentations. Staying up-to-date with student work on blogs and wikis, e.g. students who updated their work. Informing parents, etc. of school updates via blog or wiki more regularly than newsletter. Student uses: Group work. Keeping up with each member’s addition or change of content in group projects, e.g. in blogs, wikis. Staying current on news & current affairs for certain subjects, e.g. Media, English. Receiving teacher comments about their work on blog or wiki via RSS feeds.

9. Web 2.0 tool: Blogs Personal or organisational online journals, logs or diaries created & regularly updated by blogger and commented on (posts) by readers. Chronological. Can include images & audiovisual. Good for content with minimal internal links. Educational blogging tools: edublogs(Australian), Class Blogmeister, Global Teacher, Global Student Educator uses: Student/staff discussion forums. Polls and ideas on excursions, projects, events, etc. Professional development. Own professional blog can attract comments by other educators. Networking & learning from others. Collaborative staff projects between schools, classes @ NSC Communicating with parents . Important events, new teachers or subjects, etc. Student uses: Encourages writing and reading. Fun & empowering to publish own work online. Entering thoughts, feelings, opinions. Self-exploration and reflection. Just like a diary. Publishing of student work. Readily accessible to whole school community for celebrating student achievements. Collaborative student projects between schools, classes @ NSC, students within same class

10. Web 2.0 tool: Wikis Online documents created by anyone that can be edited by anyone. Open & collaborative, multiple authorship. Not authoritative. Good for content with numerous internal links & for background reading – not referencing. Educational wiking tools: Wikimedia Foundation (incl. Wikipedia), WikiEducator, WikiHow, Wikitravel, PBwiki, Wikispaces for Teachers Educator uses: Communicate anytime, anywhere, with school community. Publishing subject outlines, assignment/homework topics, classroom behaviour rules, policies & manuals, reporting of events (concerts, assemblies, excursions, guests speakers, carnivals, gatherings). Collaborative staff projects between schools, classes @ NSC Student uses: Encourages writing and reading. Empowering in having part-ownership of document. Group project work. Team members can edit own part & receive online feedback from others without having to always physically meet up. Collaborative student projects between schools, classes @ NSC, students within same class

11. Web 2.0 tool: Podcasts Audiovisual content created from audio and still images, or audio and video files. Played back in MP3 or MP4 players, or uploaded online and shared with others. Podcast creation computer software: Audacity (free), Microsoft Photo Story 3 (free), Windows Movie Maker (free), GarageBand (Mac – part of iLife suite) Podcast creation online tools: Zamzar, PodOmatic , SplashCast Podcast uploading (sharing) online tools: SlideShare Educator uses: Audio files explaining student procedures (e.g. Science experiments) , staff procedures , emergency procedures (e.g. evacuation), school policies, staff guide given to new employees Video files documenting staff meetings, class discussions, events, excursions, PDs Student uses: Creative response to assignments. To view available podcasts to download, type “podcast directories” in search engine.

12. Web 2.0 tool: Social Bookmarks Address of favourite internet sites saved in online repository accessible from anywhere, anytime, and shared with others. Tagged with keywords for easy retrieval. Like Internet Explorer (IE) Favourites, but more flexible. Social bookmarking tools: Del.icio.us, FURL Educator/student uses: Saving websites they find & like for assignments/PDs/homework – prevents loss of IE Favourites if school servers updated, etc. Utilising quality website links others already found on given topic – reduces researching time Web 2.0 examples

13. What equipment do you need? Digital video camera Digital photographic camera Microphone, digital audio recorder, earphones Download cables (to transfer video or images onto computer for editing or burning) Fast Internet access (broadband) Computer with speakers, burner drive also desirable Storage media – USB/Flash sticks, DVD-/+R, DVD-/+RW (or CDs) OPTIONAL Editing software for videos & photos. Movie Maker & basic photo editing applications come free with a computer.

14. Self-paced learning & inspiration Web 2.0 Programme - 23 Things Learn how to actually create blogs, wikis, podcasts and more (total 23 tools) with this hands-on, free & self-paced programme. Great for first-timers. Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, USA (pioneer of this programme) The How of Web 2.0 Victorian School Libraries Learning with Web 2.0 Program…Re-imagine... (currently not running – to date, 4 Feb ’09 – I’ll keep you updated) Bright Ideas - a blog by the School Library Association of Victoria (SLAV) Real-world examples of how Web 2.0 being applied in classrooms in Victorian schools. John Pearce & Gary Bass 2008, “Technology toolkit: introducing you to Web 2.0”, Nelson Cengage Learning, South Melbourne. New book in our library. Welcome to borrow.

15. Bibliography John Pearce & Gary Bass 2008, “Technology toolkit: introducing you to Web 2.0”, Nelson Cengage Learning, South Melbourne. SLAV conferences on Web 2.0 in education presenter attended in 2008.

16. And to sum up, a nice little clip... Web 2.0 - an intro in 5 minutes (Source: Teacher Tube, “Web 2.0 - An intro in 5 minutes“, http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=20527&title=Web_2_0___An_intro_in_5_minute) Sit back, relax and enjoy Where’s the popcorn?