Thing 11: Web 2.0 Tools

Discovering Web 2.0 tools

Throughout the course of this Learning 2.0 program we’ve explored just a small sampling of these new internet technologies and websites that are empowering users with the ability to create and share content. But given time there are so many more we could explore. Current estimates place the number of web 2.0 tools at somewhere between 300 & 500 with only a handful emerging as market dominators. And although time will only tell which of these new collaborative, social networking and information tools will remain on top, onething is for sure, they're not going to go away (at least anytime soon).

For this discovery exercise, participants are asked to select any site from this list of Web 2.0 Awards nominees and explore it. With so many to choose from, it might be handy to first select a category that interests you (like Books or Personal Organization) and then simply select a tool/site to explore. Be careful to select a tool that is Free and that doesn't require a plug-in or download.

The majority of these are free, so this shouldn’t be a problem.
There are so many fun Web 2.0 tools that allow you to create animations. Explore one of these, create and animation and then embed it into the blog. Write about two or three possibilities for using a site like that.

DoInk a great website that allows you to create flash type animations using your own drawings.
GoAnimate allows you to use some of their artwork and then animate and add voice.

Discovery Exercise:Select any site/tool from the list of Web 2.0 Awards nominees.

Explore the site you selected.
Create a post about your discovery. What did you like or dislike about the tool? What were the site’s useful features? Could you see any applications for its use in a classroom setting?

Choose one other site from this larger list and blog about it's possible use, features and applications.

Web 2.0 – with so much to explore, just start with ONE. :)