Web 2 Technologies

Web 2 technologies allow children to create and present information in an imaginative way (FutureLab, online). Marsh et al (2005) found that many teachers lack confidence in using a ramge of technolgies in the classroom as they believe that children could possibly be more advanced in using them than they feel they are as teachers. However some Web 2 software is easy to use and after a few trials the user is able to understand how it works. Web 2 is a form of Digital Literacy which is described by Futurelab (2010) as a way of communicating and representing knowledge in a variety of contexts which are suitable for a range of audiences. Following this, Merchant (2009) suggests that the introduction of digital literacies into the primary classroom is an important yet challenging task which is encouraged by both policy-makers and educators.

During SE3 I have witnessed Web 2 technologies being used as my class used wordles as the starting point of a new science topic. They enjoyed creating these wordles and used previous knowledge along with the BBC bitesize website to discover key vocabulary to use. After using Tagxedo in today’s seminar, I would use this in the classroom as each child can personalise their creation into particular shapes suitable to the topic being studied, whilst also being introduced to key vocabulary.

Another Web 2 Technology we were introduced to was Jigzone, this programme allows children to create puzzles from pictures. This is a fun activity which could be used to introduce children to how web 2 software works. The programme allows you to change the cut and size of the puzzle allowing for varying difficulties, and is easily shared among peers.

When using web 2 technologies such as Tagxedo and Jigzone in the classroom it is imperative that teachers set aside enough time to introduce the software and allow children to explore features in order to gain the best experience. It is important to enhance children’s abilities with technology as Cope and Kalantzis (2000) state that literacy teaching and learning needs to change because the world around us is changing (cited in Merchant, 2009).  There are a large number of Web 2 technologies around that are suitable for use within the Primary classroom and as teachers we need to embrace these technologies to enhance and expand children's learning.