Dec 27 2007
The Best Places To Learn Web 2.0 Basics — 2007
When it comes to technology, I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer (not to mention being sort of a Luddite). I need things very, very simple.
I thought it would be helpful to share a list of the sites that I’ve found most helpful and accessible in explaining how to use key Web 2.0 tools like blogs, wikis, Flickr, social bookmarking, RSS readers, etc.
You can also find links to the sites I list here, and many more, on the Teachers’ Page on my website.
There are three sites that I think stand above all the others. They all provide very understandable step-by-step explanations for a variety of key tools. And I think all three are equally good.
One is Sue Waters’ Mobile Technology In TAFE Wiki. Another is Vicki Davis’ Cool Cat Teacher Wiki. And the third great site on my list is Russell Stannard’s Teacher Training Videos.
It would probably be okay to stop reading right here, since these three sites more than likely can provide you with all the information you need.
However, there are a few more excellent resources you might want to check-out if you have the time.
There are two other places that offer exceptional information on a number of Web 2.0 tools. One is Common Craft, which makes simple explanatory videos. The other is Tim Davies’ blog, where you can print-out a series of one-page guides he wrote about Web 2.0 resources.
Other sites have good resources for specific tools.
Teachers First, which offers a huge amount of free resources to educators, has particularly good tutorials on blogs and wikis.
Jeff Utecht has a nice screencast on how to use Flickr. Some of the information might be a little out-of-date now, however. Webware has a newer, though a little less accessible, Flickr guide. Webware also has a good continuing series called Newbie’s Guides which gives nice explanations on how to use a number of different Web 2.0 tools.
Finally, I’d like to mention an exceptional slideshow developed by Vicki Davis and many others that explains how to use Google Doc’s new Presentations tool.
Feel free to make suggestions of other sites you’ve found useful.
(Editor’s Note: Since this list was originally posted, I’ve found and decided to add Liz Davis excellent screencasts called 21st Century Tools)
(I’m also adding John Pearce’s Tutorials)
All of my recent lists can be found at Websites Of The Year.
6 responses so far
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Thank you for all of your Best Of lists! I am looking forward to reading them more in-depth.
I think its wierd you include a text book corporation in your list of best web sites…isn’t this a dualistic approach to web 2.0 uses in education??
I’m not quite sure what you mean by a “dualistic approach,” so I might not be answering the question. But I figure if a textbook publisher wants to provide excellent materials online for free, why shouldn’t we take advantage of the opportunity?
Larry
Thanks for listing my wiki, I use that for my presentations and other information and I’m glad that it is helpful! It is sort of a holding place/ archive for everything. Thanks for including me.
Hi Larry - thanks for including my wiki - I am glad you find it useful and thanks for taking time to put together your lists.
Hi Larry,
Thanks for the kind words re my tutorials page, I shall be adding some more in time.