Peer Review

Teaching with web 2.0 technologies: Twitter, wikis & blogs - Case study

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Reviewed:: Feb 28, 2021 by Teacher Education

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

Web 2.0 tools can be useful for any situation where discussion and content sharing is desired, and where accessing current information in certain topic areas can be advantageous for learning.

This case study examines how and why Lubna Alam from the University of Canberra used the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS) as a central hub that both provided her students with easy access to the class blogs, wiki and Twitter, and a place where information from the different technologies was amalgamated.

The integration of web 2.0 technologies into the learning process is examined, highlighting how this can improve student engagement, communication and collaboration.

Download the supporting PDF file for this episode http://bit.ly/e2Hxxs from the Learning to Teach Online project website.

Type of Material:

Case Study

Recommended Uses:

The video and PDF case study could be used in various ways including whole class, or assigned for flipped learning or homework. It could be used by individuals or as an in-class case study.

Technical Requirements:

Does not require anything special, just accurate link for pdf supporting document:https://ltto.unsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/CS_Web2_LTTOn.pdf

The user will need to have the ability to view a video in YouTube and to download a PDF.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

It provides a case example of a class using three web 2.0 tools (blogs, wikis, and Twitter) for effective peer teaching, collaboration, knowledge construction. It demonstrates to teachers how web 2.0 tools can be integrated into instruction and what preparation & support are needed for the students.

Target Student Population:

Grade School, Middle School, High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Comfort with the internet and creating new online accounts. Interest in collaboration, and the benefits of co-construction of knowledge.

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

Teachers who are considering the integration of social media will find this study to be useful as it does present valid concepts and models for the use of social media in the classroom. The PDF provided for the case study explains why certain platforms were used for each social media option. So for example, Wordpress was used as the blogging tool, Confluence as the wiki tools, and Twitter, and the author provides an explanation of each how each tool is used. For example, Twitter would be considered a micro-blog because of the 140 character limit on posts.

A listing of other web 2.0 tools along with a brief explanation of their use is also provided and then there is a summary of key benefits and key issues to consider that may help the teacher decide whether to continue with their plan.

The PDF then goes into detail on the benefits and suggests strategies for dealing with the issues encountered which would be very valuable to someone without social media experience.

Concerns:

The specific platforms used such as Moodle and the Blog press block may be confusing to those using a different LMS.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: The purpose of the site is for the author to give an overview of how her integration of web 2.0 technologies into the learning process was examined. The teacher and student testimonials in the video highlight how student engagement, communication and collaboration was improved through the use of these social media tools.
Concerns:: Although the tools could be (and often are) integrated into various grade levels, this study focuses only on upper level class in social informatics.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

The case study PDF provides quick access to a wide variety of definitions for web 2.0 and social media terminology. The video is under eight minutes providing context for the case study.

Concerns:

The PDF was difficult to navigate because linked terminology did not open in a new window so if you close the page you were reading, you have to open the PDF again.

Some of the links led to a Page Not Found 404 Error (example: "Blogs also allow those who read the posts to leave comments (refer to the episode ‘Using blogs for peer feedback and discussion - case study’ formore information).")

Other Issues and Comments:

Relevant for any teacher education program or instructor looking to learn about online teaching strategies and tools.

This site is showing as Not Secure apparently due to an invalid certificate as shown on this screenshot. But after some research prior to this review, it does seem to be a legitimate website

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