#11 Explore Web 2.0 award-winning applications and Ning

Throughout the course of the Classroom Learning 2.0 program we’ve explored just a small sampling of the new internet technologies and websites that are empowering users with the ability to create and share content. But given time there are so many more we could explore! A recent estimate placed the number of Web 2.0 tools at somewhere between 300 & 500 with only a handful emerging as market dominators. And although time will only tell which of these new collaborative, social networking and information tools will remain on top, one thing is for sure, they're not going to go away anytime soon.

For this discovery exercise, participants are asked to select any site from this list of Web 2.0 Award Winners or CNET Award Winners and explore it. With so many to choose from, it might be handy to first select a category that interests you (like Books or Personal Organization) and then select a tool/site to explore. Be careful to select a tool that is Free and that doesn't require a plug-in or download. The majority of these are free, so this shouldn’t be a problem. Another site that has gained popularity is the social networking site called Ning. With Ning, you can set up your own social network such as an after school or book club. To learn more about Ning, join one of the Ning Social Networking groups or search for an area of interest:

Classroom 2. 0
School 2.0
Education Blogs by Discipline


Discovery Exercises:

1. Select any site/tool from the list of CNET Award Winners or Web 2.0 Awards winners (If you prefer to select from just the winners, here’s a link to the short list.)
2. Explore the site you selected.
3. Join a Ning network.
4. Create a post about your discovery. What did you like or dislike about the tool? What were the site’s useful features? Could you see any applications for its use in a classroom or library setting? Web 2.0 – with so much to explore, just start with ONE. :)
5. Play -- check your Travel IQ.

We hope you're having fun with the exercises.