2. Overview
Would you like to increase student engagement and
motivation in the elementary setting? The use of Web
2.0 tools can accomplish these goals. The purpose of
this presentation is to discuss and provide tips for
using Web 2.0 tools in an elementary library setting.
3. Introduction
• Master Of Science in Education from Old
Dominion University in 2005.
• Elementary school teacher in Newport News
for six years.
• Interested in how technology can enhance
instruction and student engagement.
4. Why Web 2.0 Tools?
Engaging
Collaborative
21 st Century
21. References
Architect of the Capital. (2011). Benjamin Franklin. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/uscapitol/6512109663/.
Big huge Labs (n.d.). Retrieved August 2nd 2012 from www.bighugelabs.com.
Burnett, H. (2012). Ancient Rome Flipbook Image. Personal image by author. Taken August 1, 2012.
Burnett, H. (n.d.). Llama Image. Personal image by the author.
Burnett, H (n.d) Doorknob Image. Personal image by the author.
Burnett, H. (2012). Foldplay. Retrieved August 2nd 2012 from http://divingintothelibrary.blogspot.com/2012/06/foldplay.html..
Burnett, H. (2012). Wordle and Tagxedo. Retrieved August 2nd 2012 from
http://divingintothelibrary.blogspot.com/2012/06/wordle.html.
Foldplay (n.d.). Retrieved August 2nd 2012 from http://foldplay.com/book.action.
Storybird (n.d). Retrieved August 2nd from www.storybird.com.
Storybird (2012). The Magical Forest. Retrieved August 2nd from http://storybird.com/books/the-magical-forest-
32/?token=8hzb3w.
Tagxedo (n.d.). Retrieved August 2nd 2012 from www.tagxedo.com.
22. References
Voki (n.d.). Retrieved August 2nd 2012 from
http://www.voki.com/pickup.php scid=6436927&height=400&width=300.
Voki (n.d.). Retrieved August 2nd 2012 from
http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=6437148&height=400&width=300.
Voki (n.d). Retrieved August 2nd 2012 from http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=6437148&height=400&width=300.
Wall Wisher (n.d.). Retrieved August 2nd 2012 from www.wallwisher.com.
Wall Wisher (2012). Retrieved August 2nd 2012 from http://wallwisher.com/wall/44cyogjp8p.
Timing- 30 secondsHello, my name is Heather Burnett and I received my graduate degree from Old Dominion University. I have been an elementary school teacher for six years. My passion is learning about technology and how it can enhance instruction and student engagement.
Timing-1 minuteWhy should we use Web 2.0 Tools? Students are exposed to media everywhere; through video games, television, and the internet. Web 2.0 tools provide engaging learning experiences for students. Elementary students are social and love to share what they learn. Using these tools fosters collaboration among students. Finally, the use of technology in the classroom and library promotes 21st Century learning. The first tool that I want to share with you is called Voki (click to the next slide).
Timing- 2 minutesClick the picture and play the Voki for the audience. As you can see, creating a Voki can make learning fun. You can choose from a variety of different characters and background. Students are engaged when information is presented in a new and unusual way.
Timing-2 minutesVoki can be used several different ways in the library. As a librarian, you can have students write their own short stories and book reviews. Students can showcase their work for parents on a library website. Here is a student example of a book trailer for the book The Chocolate Touch (click Voki picture to presentation link). This Voki used a text to speech feature. A student can type a script and select from an array different voices. Voki is especially powerful for students that may be shy or feel nervous when giving presentations or speeches. Another great way Voki can be integrated in the library is presenting school news reports and announcements. If you have a library website, you can create a section where students can add their book reviews. Parents will enjoying being able to see the projects students create in the library.
(2 minutes) Tagxedo Is a word cloud tool that allows you to transform written text into beautiful visual representations of information. Click on the picture to access the Tagxedo website. The user can choose 2 from an array of styles, colors, and images to create a product. In addition, the user can upload their own photos and input written work.
Timing- 2 minutesTagxedo has several benefits for use in a library and classroom setting. The tool is user friendly and quickly produces results while allowing students to uniquely create an image. The first example on this slide used 3rd grade science vocabulary words. This tool is great for reinforcing content area words, especially for students that are visual learners. Using the handprint image, I typed the United States Preamble to the Constitution. Notice how the words United and States are larger than the other words; words that are used most often are enlarged. During a historical unit, students can research speeches and use tagxedo to demonstrate their knowledge. A poetry unit is often taught in the library each year. Tagxedo is a great way for students to showcase their own poems. In addition, Tagxedo can be used as a follow up activity after a read aloud in the library. For example, students can write key words and vocabulary and create an image that summarizes a book. This is an excellent website to share with classroom teachers, especially in the Fall. Students can create a picture describing themselves as a getting to know you activity.
(2 minutes)Wall Wisher is an interactive bulletin board (click on the picture and link to the website). Teachers can post a question and students can respond using sticky notes virtually. This tool encourages classroom discussion using an interactive learning environment. There are a variety of backgrounds to choose from and teachers can customize the look of the bulletin board.
(2 minutes) As a librarian, Wall Wisher can be used during a research unit to generate ideas and discussion. For example, this Wall Wisher is generating discussion by asking students to identify their favorite genre. In addition, to promote higher level thinking, students must support their opinion with one reason. To reinforce a collaborative environment with classroom teachers, librarians can post questions and elicit teacher feedback on areas such as book selection and units of study. Another way to generate discussion among students is to allow them to use Wall Wisher for book reviews and as a post lesson reflection activity. In addition, students can be provided with the class Wall Wisher link and comment from home. By having the bulletin board online, teachers and parents can view the information.
(2 minutes)Especially in elementary school, students love picture books. Storybird is an excellent storytelling website that encourages creativity and collaboration. Students can pick from a variety of different pictures, add text, and create a story (click on the Storybird picture to link to the website). Also, Storybird allows for multiple users to contribute to one story, thus creating collaboration.
(2 minutes) Here is an example of a Storybird project (click the book cover to open Storybird link). When creating a story, you can pick from suggested illustrations depending upon your theme. Storybird is great for students that struggle with writing because it provides visual prompts to help them write a story. In the library, Storybird can be used to reinforce story elements and improve writing skills. Another idea is to give students a specific theme and have them write a story. You can have students work in pairs to create a story or have each student contribute a page to an overall class story. Students will enjoy taking ownership with their stories and sharing them with classmates. A great way to get parents involved is to have them create a storybird with their child. For example., a student could create a couple of pages in the library or classroom. At home a parent can add details to the story. After creating a final product, you could have parents and students share their books at a library event.
(2 minutes)Fold Play is an image editor website that allows you to create several different projects using pictures. One beneficial tool on this website is the fold book feature. Also, one role of a librarian is to encourage students to develop good research skills using the inquiry method. After gathering and processing information, students should be able convey the results of their inquiry. This tool can be used to encourage sharing of information learned during a unit. Foldplay allows students to make foldable books. You can download your own pictures and have students write facts/information.
(2 minutes)Students can create informational books like the example above on Ancient Rome. Librarians can provide students with a specific topic and have them research facts and information. After gathering information, they can create a booklet. Another idea is for students to write a short story. To illustrate the story, students can take pictures of classmates acting out the events. The pictures can be downloaded into Foldplay along with added story text. The booklets can be kept in the library or classroom to share with others. Also, teachers with English Language learners may find this tool helpful when reinforcing difficult vocabulary words. For example, a teacher can provide pictures and type specific troublesome vocabulary words along with their definitions. The booklet can be taken home and used as study guide.
(2 minutes)Big huge labs is another image editor that has several different features. (Click on the picture to link to the website). As you can see, you can make movie posters, magazine covers, trading cards, badges, puzzles, billboards, motivational posters, and more. There are numerous possibilities for using this website in the library. I’m first going to show you how we can use the Trading Card tool (click to the next slide).
(2 minutes)Using the Trading Card feature, you can have students display facts and information that they have found. For example, this trading card (identify by pointing to the card) is about the Grand Canyon. Students can create cards when researching historical events, geography, habitats, or as a getting to know you activity. Trading Cards can be cut out and students can share them with classmates. Another tool on the Big Hug Labs website is the magazine cover. The magazine example titled “Notable Americans” focuses on famous Americans. One idea is to provide each student a different famous American and have them create a magazine cover. The magazine covers can be printed or displayed on a class website. Students can become experts on a specific topic and teach each other using their magazine covers. As discussed earlier, putting student products on a website, allows parents the opportunity to view the learning taking place in the classroom or library.
(1 minute)A motivational poster tool is also found on Big Huge Labs. Here are some other examples of how the poster tool can be used in the classroom. The first example is an example of a motivational poster. The second example uses a vocabulary word from a simple machines unit. This tool can be used for vocabulary, character traits, and motivational slogans.
(5 minutes)Now that we have learned about several different Web 2.0 tools, do you have any questions about using these tools or comments? Perhaps you are already thinking of a way that you would like to integrate some of these tools within your own curriculum. Please feel free to share any ideas or questions that you may have.
(1 minute)Thank you so much for attending the presentation today. Please use this bookmarking site to find links to the tools used in the presentation and also additional resources such as tutorials and examples. Show the audience what the bookmarking site looks like by clicking on the link above. I encourage you to share these tools with teachers at your school.