Five web 2.0 learning tools

The AEF's BRIDGE team have identified five Web 2.0 tools (originally published on the China BRIDGE Wikispace) to support student communication and collaboration across cultures.

1. Wikispaces

BRIDGE projects Wikispaces have used as their learning platform since 2008. Each Australia-Asia school partnership has been allocated a shared 'workspace' for teachers and students to interact and house materials developed. Wikispaces is the site that houses the 'workspace'. Wikispaces provide all participants with a secure and private space to collaborate.

Participants are assigned a private login and have the ability to allocate logins to their students to access their workspace.

2. Travelbugs (coming soon)

Travelbugs is a brand new site developed for the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development FUSE Project. Travelbugs is a fun, interactive learning site that allows students to travel the world online and learn about other cultures through the words and photos of the children that live there. Through a range of activities and learning games, students have the opportunity to share information about themselves, write articles about the country in which they live, collaborate with new friends as they explore the world and share information through articles, diaries and photo albums. Travelbugs addresses the themes of Culture, Values, Diversity and Beliefs.

3. Glogster

Glogster is a great way for students to create multimedia posters. Easily add text, images and video. Read more about The Glogster story. Below is one example of a Glogster created. Use Glogster to have students create rich digital content on a range of global issues.

4. Voki

Voki is a free service that allows students to create personalized speaking avatars. Voki for Education provides a range of examples and lesson plans on how to integrate this tool into your planning.

5. Voicethread

Access a guide to voicethread in the classroom.