Why use Web 2.0 in ELT?

Teachers should not miss the opportunity to include Web 2.0 tools in our lessons. 
According to Nick Peachy1, Learning Technology Consultant, Writer and Trainer, Web 2.0 has a number of features that can provide students with new ways of learning. 

• Socialisation - Web 2.0 allows users to interact through a huge variety of ways. Students can put into practice their language skills while socialising.
• Collaboration - This is a very important feature of Web 2.0. Students are no longer alone while working on their computer, but they can work together from different computers on one same file. Prezi and Mural.ly (two tools that are mentioned in this blog) allow students to work collaboratively.
• Creativity - It is even more and more surprising the many tools that include different media within the same product. Students can create excellent productions.
• Authenticity - Web 2.0 has opened a window to a wider range of authentic material. This kind of material is useful as well as motivating.
• Sharing - Almost every tool gives the user the chance to share their final production with their classmates or their teacher. 
As Michael Thomas says a blog allows students to “participate in more dynamic, immediate,

and communicative environments that provide opportunities for meaningful experiences through social constructivist learning2^”

Jonassen, Carr, and Yueh (1998) described “computer applications as mind tools", and continues to say that “mind tools scaffold different forms of reasoning about content"3

Web 2.0 foster stundent’s planning, decision-making and self-management skills when they are

used in ways to promote reflection, discussion,and problem-solving.4
The purpose of this blog is to provide students the opportunity to explore and work with five different Web 2.0 tools that allow them use English language and participate actively in the classroom.

The blog explores five tools: Avatar Maker, Professor Garfield Comics Lab, ISSUU, PREZI and Mural.ly. 
You are also provided with the tutorials for each tool.
Hope you find it useful and entertaining! You are welcome to comment the tutorials as well as the activities.

The name of the blog refers to the fact that students are no longer passive spectators, but they can turn into active participants. So... Don't stay cool and take a tool!

1Peachy, N(2008).: "Web 2.0 Tools for Teachers"
² Thomas, M.(2009): “Handbook of Research on Web 2.0 and Second Language Learning” Nagoya University of Commerce and Business, Japan. Cap XX, page 368
³ Idem
⁴ Idem

Avatar Maker - tutorial

No blue creatures in this case...have you tried Avatar Maker? 

Professor Gardfield Comic Lab - tutorial

Professor Gardfield Comic Lab 

In this section, Professor Garfield helps you become a Comic Mastermind. You can create, design and write your own comic strip! The website is free and you can work logged in or not. But it’s advisable you log in so that you can save your work after you have finished it. 

ISSUU - tutorial

ISSUU

ISSUU is a digital publishing platform. This site allows you upload files and turn them into an online magazine, book or catalogue. Although it is mainly used for commercial uses, students may make profit from this tool since it is easy to use, free and gives you the possibility to include multimedia resources within your publication!

PREZI - tutorial

Prezi is a virtual whiteboard that allows you to prepare very dynamic presentations. What is particular about PREZI is that it is visually attractive and ideas are not presented in a linear way but interconnected. It is user-friendly but you may find yourself devoting a lot of time to it!

Mural.ly - tutorial

Mural.ly

Mural.ly is a dynamic board where you can organize your ideas with very useful visual support. You can add sticky notes as memos, images, videos and links to different websites. 

Avatar Maker - activities

Activities to use Avatar Maker:   
To the teacher: this tool is useful for young students to revise vocabulary on the body and clothes. Depending on the age of your group you may try different activities. Here are some ideas for you to include Avatar Maker in your lessons. 

Professor Garfield Comics Lab - activities

ProfessorGarfield Comics Lab: 

To the teacher: this tool is a funny way to create your own comic strip. Most of the characters are from Gardfield. You can get your students work with this tool in different ways...

ISSUU - activities

ISSUU: 
This is a digital publishing platform where people upload files that are turned into books or magazines.
The first thing you need to know is that you are going to work with another tool before uploading your work to ISSUU For this activity you're going to make a Power Point Presentation first. 

PREZI - activities

PREZI

PREZI is a really creative way to present your ideas and projects. It adopts a non-linear logic that allows you move from one idea to another in a more flexible way. 

Mural.ly - activities

Mural.ly

This tool is a nice board where you can organize your ideas with attractive visual aids. 
Before you start with the activity, take a look at this tutorial.