Learning by Doing: Interactive, Personalized and Collaborative

Below are two sample learning activities that incorporate Web 2.0 technologies to enhance interactive, personalized and collaborative learning. Please review these Web 2.0 learning activities developed for teachers and answer the questions by posting a comment.

Web 2.0 Activity #1: Using Web 2.0 Applications
Demonstrate 3-4 Web 2.0 tools and teach why you would recommend them for academic or business use. Have students choose their two favorite Web 2.0 tools and create a five slide PowerPoint that discusses the key features, why they would recommend these applications and works cited. Encourage them to demonstrate the application as well, if possible. You and they can research using Learning 2.0 and Web 2.0 for the Classroom Teacher and other sites that you or they find that provide information about Web 2.0 tools. Encourage students to choose examples that they feel are "cutting edge", meaning applications that are new and different. One example is Viewzi which is a new take on a web browser. Have students present and demonstrate their Web 2.0 applications in class.

Web 2.0 Activity #2: Using a Web 2.0 application concept to teach history
Have students choose their favorite historical figure and create a mock Facebook profile of that person in PowerPoint. Have students create mock wall comments from other figures in history that would have known that person. Students should be sure to be historically accurate and complete as many profile elements as possible. Students will post their profiles to the class Wiki for comments and shared editing as the students interact to discuss and learn more about the historical figures.

1. How can either of these learning activities be improved?
2. What are some other ways you have seen Web 2.0 technologies integrated into education?
3. What do you think are the best ways Web 2.0 technologies can be used in a distance education setting?