To learn more about Web 2.0 technologies and related practices, consult the following resources:
Commoncraft.com produces short instructional videos as a part of their "Plain English Series" on a wide range of topics involving Web 2.0 Concepts and Technologies including:
- Blogs in Plain English
- Google Docs in Plain English
- Podcasting in Plain English
- RSS in Plain English
- Social Bookmarking in Plain English
- Online Photo Sharing in Plain English
- Social Media in Plain English
- Twitter in Plain English
- Wikis in Plain English
The 7 Things You Should Know About series from Educause covers different Web 2.0 tools and practices, such as:
- 7 Things You Should Know About Microblogging
- 7 Things You Should Know About Twitter
- 7 Things You Should Know About VoiceThread
- 7 Things You Should Know About Personal Learning Environments
- 7 Things You Should Know About RSS
- 7 Things You Should Know About Blogs
- 7 Things You Should Know About Social Bookmarking
Twitter's recent rise to fame has spawned a flurry of "tutorials" and help guides. Here is a sampling:
- A Newbie's Guide to Twitter by Rafe Needleman (2007)
- A Brief and Informal Twitter Etiquette Guide by Chris Brogan (2009)
- 100 Serious Twitter Tips for Academics from Best Colleges Online (2009)
- Twitter 101 for Educators by Elaine Plybon (2009)
- 10 Things Teachers Should Know to Get Started with Twitter from the Arizona K-12 Center (2009)
- An Artist's Guide to Twitter from Squidoo (2009)
- A Teacher's Guide to Twitter by Kate Klingensmith (2009)
Here is four-minute video that explains "How to Use Twitter" from Howcast.com
Interest in VoiceThread has also generated a number of useful guides and resources like:
- The Voicethread 4 Education Wiki
- Voicethread Basics Video Tutorial
- Creating Multiple Identities with a Teacher Account for Students Video Tutorial
- An Introduction to Using VoiceThread by Michelle Pacansky-Brock (PDF copy)
- VoiceThread's Digital Library of Classroom Examples
- Creative Commons Licensed Photos for VoiceThread
- VoiceThread Manuals includes Educator's Getting Started Guide and Getting Started in the Classroom (PDF files)
More Resources
50 Useful Blogging Tools for Teachers by Alisa Miller
One-page Guides on various Web 2.0 tools and services by Tim Davies.
A Collection of Video Tutorials on Using the Bookmaking site Diigo
FAQs on Diigo Educator Accounts from the Diigo Help Center
Ultimate Guide to Delicious Social Bookmarking by Robin Broitman (2009)
Social Media Tools 101 (From Blogs to Wikis) from Interactive Insights Group
In How Web 2.0 has changed the face of education, Tony Richardson explains how Web 2.0 has the potential to revolutionise technology in learning.
While Webtools4U2Use is intended for K-12 school library media specialists to learn a little more about web tools they can use, all educators will find the listings and explanations pertinent.
