Preparing primary-school teachers to integrate Web 2.0 Tools

Teachers today are faced with many challenges. While integrating technology in the classroom should be something all teachers enthusiastically embrace, the rapid onslaught of new tools has left teachers overwhelmed and unmotivated. Many primary schools have invested in hardware, software, and internet access but in order for the curriculum to be truly integrated, teachers must also invest their time and effort to learn how to enhance their lessons with the various tools at their disposal. The instructional goal, therefore, of the first professional development series is that given a standards-based instructional goal, the teachers will select the appropriate Web 2.0 tool(s) to integrate into the curriculum producing activities with these that promotes 21st Century Skills.


Objectives
The project aims for the participants:
✓ To get familiar with Web 2.0 tools
✓ To learn about new web 2.0 tools
✓ To share creative ideas and activities for children by web 2.0 technologies.
✓ To plan and design effective learning experiences supported by web 2.0 technologies.
✓ To gain basic knowledge, skills and understanding of concepts related to web 2.0 technology integration.
✓ To integrate and utilize technology in their instruction.

Target Groups
Teachers working in kindergartens and primary schools. Directors of primary schools and kindergartens. All educators interested in web tool for primary schools.

Methods & Tools
Lectures, exercises, discussions, teamwork, role-playing, study visits.

Agenda

Day 1
✓ Introductory meeting, explanation of practical arrangements, presentation of timetable, information about course venue.
✓ Icebreakers. Introduction to the Course
✓ Define Web 2.0 and its tools
✓ Identify how using Web 2.0 tools promotes 21st century skills in Education

Day 2
✓ Identify various Web 2.0 tools
✓ Introduction to Prezi (Creating presentations)
✓ Introduction to Toondoo (Creating comics)
✓ Introduction to ZunalWebQuest (Creating Webquest)
✓ Identify uses for Prezi, Toondoo and ZunalWebQuest in education
✓ Identify considerations when using Prezi, Toondoo and ZunalWebQuest in education

Day 3
✓ Identify various Web 2.0 tools
✓ Introduction to Kubbu (Creating / Quiz)
✓ Introduction to Word cloud (Creating words cloud)
✓ Introduction to Digital Poster (Creating Multimedia Posters)
✓ Identify uses for Kubbu, Word cloud and Digital Poster in education

Day 4
✓ Identify considerations when using Word cloud and Digital Poster in education
✓ Identify various Web 2.0 tools
✓ Introduction to Voki (Creating Talking Animated Avatar)
✓ Introduction to TimeRime (Creating Timelines)

Day 5
✓ Introduction to Spicynodes (Creating Concept Maps)
✓ Identify uses for TimeRime, Spicynodes and Voki in education
✓ Identify considerations when using TimeRime, Spicynodes and Voki in education.
✓ Identify various Web 2.0 tools

Day 6
✓ Introduction to Linoit (Creating Digital bulletin board)
✓ Introduction to Smore (Creating Educational Event)
✓ Identify uses for Smore and Linoit in education
✓ Identify considerations when using Smore and Linoit in education.

Day 7
✓ Planning follow up activities, dissemination and implementation of learning outcomes.
✓ Discussing possibilities for future cooperation among participants.
✓ Course Evaluation
✓ Certifications