Classroom 2.0 has some very excellent features. There are links to several “hosts” who are available to help and answer questions posed by members. There are many resources for infusing technology into the classroom including tutorials on Wikis, blogs, and Elluminate software. A member can create and select the appearance of his or her own page, add colleagues (like a friend on Facebook), join and create groups and share photos. We can add blog posts and start discussions. Discussions that are already in progress can be accessed based on what kind of technology tool they focus upon, by topic or school subject, or by areas (AUP, administration, Internet Safety, etc.). We can also join groups delineated by schools, subjects and topics and other categories as well. Live conversations (through Elluminate) are outlined on a calendar and include Professional Development in the areas of EdTech Talk, and Classroom 2.0. Members receive e-mail alerts for events. There are also Wikis containing podcasts and videos organized by various topics, including how to create Wikis. Members can also submit and present their own workshops using the Wikis format. LearnCentral.org, Elluminate, Wiki Spaces, VoiceThread, and Diigo sponsor classroom 2.0.
This is not an endorsement for membership in Classroom 2.0 because I have only been a member for a short time and have not had a chance to do any in depth exploration. I am looking forward though to using more of the resources and to making some connections with a wider network of teachers who share my interests and may have expertise in the practice of using technology and specifically web 2.0 in the classroom. You might want to check it out for yourself. If you do, add me as a colleague.
Thanks for sharing this resource, Stella!
ReplyDeleteAs a member of many online communities, I very much believe in the power of a collection of like-minded people. 27,000 tech-savvy teachers ensures that there will be many who teach the same subject as you. Thinking even to our professional development this past week, I ran into a P.E. teacher. He felt very isolated in many of our events. If he had the opportunity to share and plan with other tech-savvy P.E. teachers through a social networking site, he may feel that his time and efforts are better spent free to follow subjects that are more applicable to his situation.
Classroom 2.0 I will definitely join!
Classroom 2.0 sounds like a great resource. It is packed with lots of neat features that can assist in implementing technology in the classroom with blogs and wikis. I like that it provides tutorials on creating a blog, wiki,and Elluminate software. It does have similar features to very common and popular social networking sites and I like the fact that conversations can be started with individuals with the same interest and goals. You are definitely an advocate of Classroom 2.0 and it sounds like its worth screaming about!
ReplyDeleteLisa A.
This is a great write-up of the diigo group. I joined during our Web 2.0 class, but I had no idea that there was so much to the group (or that diigo provided so much for any group). I get a periodic email of new links and other stuff for the group, which I have found of interest, but I must say I have not taken the time to explore the links. Sound familiar? This sounds like a good, full use of Web 2.0 -- using lots of different ways to build community among people who share common interests. Cool!
ReplyDeletejd