Web2.0+Resources

For online class work in my classroom, I would see this as a way to have students write on common experiences and share their work in a collaborative environment. The [|link] to my demo site is http://ourstory.com/story.html?v=59200 //Dave/Appleton//
 * OurStory**[|?].com ([|www.ourstory.com]) is a Web 2.0 resource that encourages writers to record their life stories online so that they can be shared with others. The site has a nifty timeline tool as well as tools to allow for insert of photos/graphics/video. The site also provides a list of common questions to "inspire" writers. In a way it is kind of a "controlled" Xanga or Facebook concept that seems pretty friendly for classroom use. You can set the "share-ability" of information you post as well as invite others to your site/postings.

One potential problem I see for this great resource is the photo feature. Some students may not want to share photos or they may share inappropriate photos. Depending on the security level of **OurStory**[|?], students may not want to post photos or any information that makes the easily identifiable. As a school the CIPAA is a concern. Ellen/Madison

//Thanks for the thoughtful comments, Ellen. Yes, **OurStory**[|?] would bring up some of those "Facebook" & "Xanga" issues. I felt this might be a little more "controllable" in the sense that not everyone in the world can see the information a person posts and you can choose to reveal/hold back info. I would only use in class with clear guidelines that would seek to limit pictures or revealing material. (Our school does have strict guidelines that the students are well aware of that -- for my classes -- would pretty well cover this point.) In our situation, such a site would only be used after parents had also been informed.// //Side Note: I find a certain irony in schools today and their "teacherly" attempts to control what students post as if that stops it from being done instead of simply stopping us from easily seeing it.// //Dave/Appleton//

Fully agree with your side note. We can teach students all we want about [|internet] safety, but if they're going to post it, they will. They know ways of hiding things very well. Ellen/Madison

The resource I found is **PodNova**[|?] ([|www.podnova.com]). The service allows users to search for existing podcasts through keyword and add them to the user’s subscription area. Users can listen to the podcasts through **PodNova**[|?] or [|download] a desktop client to manage the subscriptions. The desktop client also allows for downloading the podcasts to an iPod. **PodNova**[|?] will also allow for uploading of existing OPML (RSS feeds) on the user’s homepage. There are multiple podcast subscriptions in French already available for use. I would use this in my class to enhance what is already being taught or to expose students to authentic music/culture.
 * PodNova****[|?]**

To experience the demo page: Username: elearning06 Password: wipod //Ellen/Madison//

//Interesting selection, Ellen. I can definitely see the potential. Language exposure is so critical in the foreign language area. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.// //Dave/Appleton//

The resource I found and use is facebook ([|www.facebook.com]). This service allows you to share all kinds of information. You are able to list any upcoming events, share photos, send messages, the notes feature. You can put a question with photos or links and ask people to respond to the question. I feel the site is really user friendly. You can limit the people who are in your network, you are also able to block anyone from seeing your information. As far as using this site in my line of work, coaching. I think the site has been very useful in the sense of keeping in contact with other coaches/friends. Sharing information and keeping up on eachother. In an online class I think it could be very useful. Students would be able to carry on class discussions along with making personal connections at the same time. //sean@menomonie//
 * //Facebook//**

I think this is a great resource. The one problem I can see is what information students share. What they think is appropriate may not be or they may share too much. Ellen/Madison

//Sean - Facebook is somewhat similar to what I suggested above - but much more accessible to students these days -- certainly a proven way for them to keep in contact and build community. Ellen's advice that it might not work in many school settings is also an appropriate caution. Facebook is blocked on all computers at our school. I know that is standard operating procedure in many of the Fox River Valley schools. I would be interested in knowing how the college setting is handling this growing phenomena.// //Dave/Appleton.//