Bringing Web 2.0 Tools into the Classroom

Teachers, we all know social media is everywhere and a constant in many teens’ lives at this point. Employing the skills students already possess, or are generally ready to learn (Grant, 2019), is working smarter instead of harder. Especially when working to engage students in blended, flipped, or distance learning contexts (Çakan Uzunkavak & Gül, 2022; Jena et al., 2020).  

Several Web 2.0 tools have been found to have positive effects on student engagement, levels of participation, and self-confidence. These include SlideShare, YouTube, WhatsApp, Padlet, and other social media networks (Çakan Uzunkavak & Gül, 2022; Grant 2019; Jena et al., 2020; Jong & Tan, 2021). From personal experience, Prezi and storytelling apps, like SockPuppets, are also good options.

Modeling, modeling, and more modeling will ensure that students understand expectations and processes and can explore and create more independently for the entirety of the course (Johnson et al., 2023). So, careful planning and practice are a part of a teacher’s responsibility beforehand. Be confident in yourself with the tool. Explore your thinking while using a tool to note where someone (perhaps even us as the users) could get stuck or confused. Once you understand as the teacher how to best use these tools and engage learners in the tech-savvy world in which they were born, assisting students in their explorations, publication, and growth of knowledge will be a win (Çakan Uzunkavak & Gül, 2022; Grant 2019; Jena et al., 2020; Jong & Tan, 2021).

References

Çakan Uzunkavak, M., & Gül, G. (2022). The Contribution of the Activities Prepared with Web 2.0 Technologies to the Level of Learning. GIST Education and Learning Research Journal, 24, 95–117. 

Grant, D. G. (2019). Predicting Web 2.0 use among US teens—Expanding the power of the skill, will and tool model. British Journal of Educational Technology, 50(6), 3405–3419. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12745 

Jena, A. K., & Bhattacharjee, S. & Devi, J., & Barman, M. (2020). Effects of web 2.0 technology assisted slideshare, YouTube and WhatsApp on individual and collaborative learning performance and retention in tissues system. The Online Journal of Distance Education and e-Learning, 8(1), 25-36. 

Johnson, C. C., Walton, J. B., Strickler, L., & Elliott, J. B. (2023). Online Teaching in K-12 Education in the United States: A Systematic Review. Review of Educational Research, 93(3), 353–411. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543221105550 

Jong, B., & Tan, K. H. (2021). Using Padlet as a technological tool for assessment of students writing skills in online classroom settings. International Journal of Education and Practice, Conscientia Beam, 9(2), 411-423. 10.18488/dergi.61.2021.92.411.423