How+can+I+use+Web+2.0+tools+for+COMMUNICATING?

= Web 2.0 Tools for COMMUNICATION = Read through the list of tools that interest you. This section is self-paced since some teachers may already be proficient with some tools and others may not. When you have finished exploring this section, post a comment to the discussion board with a link to your favorite blog or description of how blogging could be used as a communication tool with your students. When you have finished, return to the home page.

=The Blogosphere=

A blog is simply a Web-based tool for the easy and quick posting of content. Blogs are online journals where posts are ordered chronologically but can be grouped by topic or searched by tag (keyword). Blog sites provide online storage space and a simple word-processing interface for the posting of content. In addition, blog postings are automatically aggregated, which means users can be notified automatically when their favorite blogger posts new content. As a noted educator, Shelley Paul, suggests "blogging is reading, reflecting, questioning, researching, synthesizing, linking, conversing, teaching, sharing and expressing ideas. Blogging is about writing, but blogging begins with reading."

media type="youtube" key="NN2I1pWXjXI" height="405" width="500"

Explore these links to learn more about communicating with Web 2.0 via blogs...
 * []
 * []

Here are some tools to set up your own blog or blogs for students...
 * [|Edublogs]
 * Add a blog to your SchoolWorld webpage ([|Click here for instructions)]
 * The social networking site Ning.com that we will look at in the collaboration section includes a free blog for every student member.

Here are links to blogs by teachers or for teachers you can read or subscribe to for professional development.

=Microblogging=

Microblogging tools, like Twitter or status posts in Facebook, allow the user to post information or a question and only use less than 140 characters. Anyone who is “following” the user in those programs sees the information or question immediately, and has the ability to respond directly to the poster or reply to the list so all followers can see the answer or comment. Microblogging tools are sort of like instant messaging or text messaging with hundreds of friends at one time.

media type="youtube" key="ddO9idmax0o" height="405" width="500"

Explore these links to learn more about communicating with Web 2.0 via microblogs...
 * [|Twitter for Education Slideshow]
 * [|Article: Nine Reasons to Twitter in School]
 * [|Blog: Twitter in Schools... What does it really look like?]
 * [|Blog: Twitter in Academia]