Web 2.0 Tools and the Future of Classroom Technology

Web 2.0 tools are any tool that allows for collaboration and connection between users. This is so important in a classroom setting especially since teachers are always trying to create group projects so the class can get closer. I feel as though a great resource is YouTube. It is great to look up information on different topics and search for what you want and get the information in only a few minutes. This works well in a classroom to reinforce any topic that you as a teacher may not have time to go in depth with. This can also be a visual tool for students who may not understand something as well through auditory explanation. This is also a great tool to use for modeling anything that may be intangible or unattainable at the moment. Another great resource is Encyclopedia Britannica because, unlike Wikipedia, the editors and contributors all have some qualification to write on the topic that they are explaining.

A tool that is quite wonderful as well that is also engaging is Poll Everywhere. A teacher can post a poll and receive student feedback or responses instantly. This would be great to use to quickly test students knowledge on the subject or even take attendance. I would love to use this in as bell work to double as a simple quiz and review of the previous class topic and working as the day's attendance. This tool also allows students to use their phones in class which instantly excites students and engages them to the topic of the day. The tool can be found at https://www.polleverywhere.com
I think the use of virtual reality holds a huge promise for education because this can be utilized to take virtual field trips as well as exploring historical events and the sites. This would be the greatest to use in a classroom because students will be fully immersed and engaged in the experience. I would love to use this to take a class on a virtual field trip to Italy or to visit a concert that may be out of the reach monetarily.