Web 2.0 Tools

Web 2.0 tools are awesome for small classroom assignments to bigger projects. Web 2.0 tools allows students to be creative while working with technology and learning the content. These tools open up endless possibilities of creating new ways of teaching different subjects and making it fun!

I have several tools I want to demonstrate on how to incorporate them into a few music lessons. If one is creative enough they can use it for other subjects too! The tools I discuss below are concept maps, Glogster,  Animoto, and Blabblerize.com. Each one can be used for all subjects and are fun once you get into them!

The Web 2.0 tools I used based off one of the Alabama state standards for instrumental music:

12. Define the elements of music, including melody, rhythm, form, timbre, harmony, and texture.

The first Web 2.0 tool is from a free site bubbl.us which allows one to create concept maps. Each map can be customized with different bubble colors and texts. They can be saved as a photo and used in a blog, web site, or anywhere you can put a picture! Below I created a concept map based on the elements of music. A teacher can use this for any subject to outline or organize a concept. They can also have students do the same thing so they can learn to organize ideas.

The next Web 2.0 tool is called Glogster which is a more creative way to blog. It gives one plenty of options for adding photos, graphics, hyperlinks, embedded videos, and different backgrounds. Students can be given an assignment on a subject where they must create a Glog. The teacher can provide a rubric that requires them to have minimum graphics, notes, embedded videos, or hyperlinks. Click on Harrison's Glog to view an example of one created for the same music standard for elements of music.

Animoto is the third Web 2.0 tool I want to share. A teacher or student can create a short, free 30 second video that has background music and shuffles through photos. These photos can contain content being taught in the classroom. The video can be uploaded to a YouTube account and shared on social media sites. In my example I continued using elements of music.

The last Web 2.0 I want to share is Blabberize.com. It is definitely fun to experiment with different lessons or just for laughs. This site will allow a teacher or student to upload a photo where the mouth of a person or animal can be made to move. One simply uploads a photo of a person or animal, adjusts the mouth tool, then records or uploads a voice which will move with the tones of your voice! In my example I would have students choose a composer of their choice to upload. They would have to create a voice for that composer, then have them explain certain elements of music. It is so cool to listen to all the different voices students create!

J.S. Bach Talks Melody & Harmony
W.A. Mozart Talks Tempo & Rhythm
Ludwig Van Beethoven Talks Dynamics & Form

I have been following Eric Sheninger's blog A Principal's Reflections since I am working to become an administrator. In his blog post Autonomy Breeds Change he talks about a professional growth plan to implement more Web 2.0 tools within his leadership and teachers. He allotted teachers two to three 45 minute slots of time each week per semester to work on Personal Growth Periods. Mr. Sheninger instructed teachers to pursue a teaching tool that interest them to use within the classroom. The teachers created an electronic portfolio to present in a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Sheninger at the end of the year as part of their annual evaluation. The results were incredible and was a catalyst for the teachers to reach for higher goals for next year.

Finding ways to integrate Web 2.0 tools in the classroom only inspires creativity in students. Learning how to use these technology tools to teach students will help them in the future when they attend college or join the work force. Technology is rampant among most jobs and careers and must be embraced in education.

Jordan