5 Easy Pieces:

Simple Web 2.0 Tools to Increase Course Interactivity and Visual Pedagogy

David Wolf

Empire State College

Introduction

There are several easy web 2.0 services that can enhance our courses by stimulating students by either increasing the degree of interactivity or visually augmenting course content.

These tools improve our students learning environments by: Offering visual presentations of content to accommodate more

styles of learning Interactive presentations engage students and promote active

learning Create learner centric tools with opportunities to “play” to

promote understanding and accelerate learning Allow students to access information quickly and seamlessly. Reduce lag of learning management systems by using Web

2.0 and RSS feeds to allow a friendlier learning environment that increases the likelihood of student engagement.

Harness new technology that allows students and instructors to focus less on the tools and more on learning.

Develop and integrate transferable tools/learning objects

Tools that can improve online instruction

These tools are free to use w/ possible upgradesThey exist on one location, for easy editing by instructors or developersThese tools can be broadcasted to multiple web locationsThese tools are easy to use and re-use.

5 Easy Pieces

Power of Visual Presentations

Visual presentations often illustrate content better than text.

For example: A visual representation of the Bush tax plan/cuts best illustrates who benefits the most from them.

(source: The Washington Post)

5 Easy Pieces

Power of Visual Presentations

Images can significantly augment text and increase learning. (Mayer & Mareno, 1998)

Interactive activities further promote active learning.

(Fahra, 2009)

“Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll

understand.” Chinese Proverb

5 Easy Pieces

1. Interactive Content Presentations

5 Easy Pieces

There are several

ways of adopting visual presentations to augment course content.

Prezi.com offers an easy non-linear tool.

http://tinyurl.com/CDLConferenceprezi

2. Concept Maps3. Work Flow Diagrams

5 Easy Pieces

Both are highly visual and allow quick and easy understanding.

Bubbl.in offers an easy non-linear tool.

http://tinyurl.com/

CDLConferenceBubbl

4. Embedding a Webpage

5 Easy Pieces

Allows for visual and mark ups

Embedit.in offer a solutionhttp://embedit.in/7Kpbg8zWNS

5. Embedding Files

5 Easy Pieces

Allows– Sharing files and data

– Instructions on-the-go (printable)– Streaming is quicker than if in LMS

– Smoother viewing learning experience

Embedit.in offer a solutionhttp://embedit.in/qlyVsodk34

What makes them easy?

5 Easy Pieces

ACs and Developers– Just as your Area of Studies CID!

Instructors– You need to just take a little time to make on

with a free account.– You can save any desired page to your LOR

making future uses simple.

The free accounts supply embed code that makes adding presentations to your courses easy.