BP7_2009112_Three Web 2.0 Tools

I have chose three Web 2.0 tools that will be very beneficial for my students in my classroom. They are struggling in some areas that I feel with practice can help them not only in the fourth grade but in future grades to come.

Time has progressed form learning how to type from an instructor walking around the class telling you to keep your eyes on the book and stop looking at the k

eys, and the use of a typewriter to learning how to type on a computer.

1. My first Web 2.0 resource I found was TypingWeb-Learn to Type Online.

I chose this tool because students are having a hard time typing their reports, finding particular letters or numbers because they do not know the keys on a keyboard or fall behind their peers because they can’t compete when it comes to maneuvering the keys.

This resource can be accessed from any place there is an Internet connection. Parents are able to sit down, provide assistance with their child and even practice themselves.

There are seven different levels that you have the opportunity to complete: beginners,

intermediate, advanced, specialty, for certificate purposes, News Headline examples and the lesson which entails your problem keys.

After completing a test of your skills you will be told how many words per minute, you

r gross words per minute, your percentage status and your problem keys.

The lessons will be customized to figure out what you are having problems with and target that lesson.

This lesson also comes with various tests as I have mentioned, certification status, games, statistics, preferences and skins or the look of the typing keys.

I had a lot of fun testing my typing skills and I think the students will also have a good time.

This resource again can help the students to become proficient in their typing skills. I would use this tool to help students practice how to type more fluently and quickly than they kno

w how to now.

2. I chose eLearning4Kids-Opening Doors to Education Worldwide.

This is a very familiar web tool because I have used it before. It has many lessons that can enhance and extend the lessons taught in the classroom. The purpose is to help improve the students’ basic skills

for students 5 to 12 years of age.

Teachers are able to choose from the subject area they are focused on and narrow the lesson down to a single lesson. This a good resource to use as an After-school activity or as a tutorial for lessons you want to introduce to the class used individually or as an extension for a lesson already taught (a reinforcement).

It can be accessed where there is an Internet connection. It can be used for students that are out for a long period of time helping them to stay abreast of the kinds of activities that is going on in the classroom. The teacher could use the lessons as a grade if the students are doing well.

3. The third Web 2.0 resource I chose was a YacaPaca a Management for Teachers and

Students. I found this tool to be very interesting and one that I will be using in the future. I will be able to create quizzes, surveys, tests, portfolios and more that will help in enhancing my job as a teacher more effectively as well as any teacher that is looking for enhancing their curriculum. It has assessments available

that I will be able to modify and even share with others. The lessons can be individualized or used for a whole class.

In researching more on this site…it is free. In using this site you must be professional, be truthful and honest (Professional Code of Conduct).

In using this site, I chose the country of the US, whereas the subject areas were limited compared to other countries. Next to the subject name in parenthesis was the number of lessons associated with that subject area. You can add to the lessons or use one of that is already provided. This tool is only useful to you if you use it and know the goal for the purpose of the lesson.

Images:

FTW Innovations, Inc. (2009). Typingweb. retrieved from: http://www.typingweb.com/

Chalkface Project (n.d.) Yacapaca Retrieved from http://yacapaca.com/

van Dam, N. (2008). eLearning for kids-opening the doors to education worldwide. retrieved from: http://www.e-learningforkids.org/