Jennifer+Merryman-Web+2.0+Personal+Plan

** __ Web 2.0 Plan__ ** I implemented my Web 2.0 plan by creating a research/writing project for the classroom. The following online learning tools not only vastly enhanced the quality of this project, but made the scholarship of the activity readily available and accessible to everyone online.


 * __Collaborative Writing__ : **
 * __Wikisite__** -This tool was incredibly useful for setting up an online site where high school students could login to the wiki and begin to edit the wiki page that corresponded to the group number they were assigned. After studying themes of identity, social class and race in class, the students were asked to respond to a writing prompt. Their responses generated two very different points-of-view in regard to English language Learners. I was then able to scan in student responses on to the Wikisite and formulate an online shared writing project based on their own in-class responses. Contemporary-Voices

This project was facilitated at the school site with the use of school lap tops. The students were able to work in groups of 2 or 3 people editing their corresponding wiki page. The end result was a very interesting discussion about English Language Learners, literature and student identity. The wiki facilitated an environment were the students were learning to use technology, working in groups and practicing analytical and writing skills all at the same time. The writing was personal, reflective and engaging. In my opinion the project was very successful and the wiki was a perfect platform for this project. [|Educational Wikispace] **__Note Taking__**
 * __Webnote__** -Webnote is an online tool that can be used for taking in-class lecture notes, posting messages and/or questions online. Webnote can also be used as a brain storming board in that anyone can create a sticky note on the web page and add a comment/list or idea to the workspace. This site is completely free, can be shared with others and accessed where ever there is internet access. I used this site to create a sign-up list for my daughter's 4th Grade Christmas Party. I was able to create two sticky notes, one where parents could sign up for a party item, and another where they could sign up to let me know if they are coming to the party. The parents can also post questions to me about the party and/or other things related to the classroom. I will be notified of anyone's edit to the page via the RSS feed for the page.

__**RSS FEED**__- The RSS feed allows me to get updated information of a web page that I have created with Webnote. It is a type of data format that is designed to provide up to the minute information about important web pages. The use of the RSS feed helps information stay up-dated up to the minute. It can be an important tool in student blogs or class websites, that allows everyone to know when a page has been edited, or there is a new announcement. I also used an RSS feed to allow me to see when a wikisite I created had been updated. Using the RSS feed is like getting a message in your inbox, from several different sources, without anyone having to send you an email. The RSS feed can also be used in combination with Delicious, a social bookmarking site. The RSS feed allows me to know when someone has added a bookmark to a collaborative research project. To view the RSS fees you have to utilize a reader, such as IGoogle or Pageflakes. Pageflakes allows me to receive RSS feeds and stay informed about those sites that are important to me. I have added multiple RSS feeds to my pageflakes. My favorite feed being NPR radio concerts. I love listening to those concerts and seeing who the featured artists are. [|RSS FEED]

Webnote could easily translate into the classroom for online note taking. For instance if a teacher were to lecture on a book. The teacher could have groups of students take notes on specific themes or mechanics related to literature. They could post these on the workspace, where the class notes could later be viewed and used by the whole class as a study guide for the test. This tool works in real time too, because if another student edits the page at the same time, it allows you to follow a link to the updated note page. I love this tool, I think it's easy to use, accessible and brilliant! Click here to check out the Christmas Party list! [|Webnote]


 * __Research__**
 * __Delicious__** -Delicious is a social bookmarking network that allows for collaboration when engaging in internet research. For example, imagine that there was a group research project, not unlike the project UCSD students were mentoring High Tech High School students on. My group in particular was focused on Ocean Dead Zones. Delicious is a wonderful way for members of a group to bookmark relevant websites, share those bookmarks with other group members, adding to their discussion and research. It is a wonderful tool for working in groups and performing critical thinking and analysis. Moreover, it can be used as a guide when giving an oral presentation on one's research and findings. [|Chisso Corp./Ocean Dead Zone]

One of the features of using Delicious is that you can include an introductory note along with the website you have bookmarked and shared. This is critical, as your message is providing the lens of what is important about the site you have bookmarked and shared. This saves the reader from having to go through the whole site themself to decipher why the site is relevant.

Jennifer's Portfolio Home page
 * __Awesome Highlighter__** -I think Awesome Highlighter in collaboration with Delicious is a great way to present key points to the reader, while they are looking at the site that has been bookmarked. Not only are you directing the reader to a pertinent website, you focus their attention on the evidence of your research, using Awesome Highlighter. Another advantage to using Awesome Highlighter is it ensures the site you are working with will be accessible to the reader, even if the web address gets relocated, you have solidified the web page by relocating it into the Awesome Highlighter Index. I have provided an example, using the site I suggested to High Tech High students about the Chisso Corporation. The Chisso Corporation dumped tons of Mercury into the ocean, having a devastating effect on the Eco System, the villagers and the fishermen who lived there: [|Chisso Corp./Ocean Dead Zones]  