e-Learning Ecologies MOOC’s Updates
Ubiquitous Learning: Web 2.0 concept during a time of a pandemic
According to Webopedia, “Web 2.0 includes open communication with an emphasis on Web-based communities of users, and more open sharing of information.” Instagram is an online application that is open and free to users from all over the world to share, post, and comment on each others various pictures and videos. It allows the open collaboration between people/users no matter the distance. Instagram users can post photos, post videos, and create an online interaction between users. This online platform has increased to marketers, bloggers, diy tutorials beyond just using it for personal use. For me, it has been a platform to collaborate and learn teaching activities and strategies from other teachers. During the current Covid-19 pandemic, Instagram has been a platform to vent, relate, and reorganize lessons to thoughts in the classroom with other teachers. Teachers from all of the U.S. posted and shared how lessons, classes, and schedules were changed beginning in March 2020. We continue to share pics, videos, and DMS about how to handle all of this chaos. This became a community of users (Teachers) to help cope and rebuild during these past few months academically, mentally, and emotionally. Now, we are still posting about how to start the school year online. I am learning more tools and strategies to use. We also had to rethink the online tools we were using like Flipgrid, Nearpod, and Padlet because it was overused and causing student disinterest. The newest web 2.0 apps in consideration for this new school year are: Schoology, Studysync, and Parlay. These are still being tested and collaborated on for student use this FALL 2020, but all apps allow for the open ubiquitous learning environment.
Thanks for sharing your recent experience with Web 2.0 tools. Why and in what way were Flipgrid, Nearpod and Padlet overused? What are some lessons learned from these 3 tools that could help teachers and students in the future? Also, the comment about teachers' use of Instagram was interesting. What do you feel has been the biggest benefit of communication via Instagram? Why? Any examples of productive venting to share? :-)