Web 2.0

Web 2.0 applications have definitely changed the way we interact with technology. Tim O’Rielly describes web 2.0 as a platform for a host of commercial, entertainment, and learning applications (p.299). Web 2.0 affords the use of lightweight, readily accessible, and low-cost learning applications and tools (p.304). They have had a great impact in education especially in high education and e-learning settings. One example of this is this course where we have been working with web 2.0 applications through the whole semester. All these applications are very interesting to me but my favorites so far have been blogging, wikis, Zoho,  screencating, and Google docs.

Perhaps my favorite is blogging because is tool that allows people to be creative and share with other their ideas. Terry Anderson says that “web 2.0 applications generally sit outside the confines of institutionally protected spaces, thus allowing input, purview, critique, and comment by others in addition to the teacher and those enrolled in the course” (p. 300). I think that one of the powerful benefits of the blog is that other people can give you feedback of your work or ideas by critiquing or makings comments in your blogs. I love the idea of using blogging with colleagues to share information that you find interesting and have their opinions and also using your blog as a platform for your classroom where you share relevant information of the course.

 The BECTA said: “web 2.0 can facilitate more collaborative ways of working, community creation, dialogue and knowledge sharing” (p.301). I think this sentence describes my other favorite application: Google doc. Google doc (Google drive) is a great tool for collaborating and save information online (clouding computing). This app is perfect for group assignments because you can work with different types of documents. You can access to it from anywhere anytime and everyone can work on a document at the same time which is very convenient. Web 2.0 tools utilize individuals and group contributions to create value (p.300). 

Free Online Apps

Office suits

Zoho

I would recommend to my school and coworkers to use this online application. Zoho offers online business, productivity and collaboration applications. Some of its applications are documents, presentations, spreadsheets, wikis, music, videos, project manager,email, calendar, etc. You can also upload Google docs and other Google apps to Zoho which is very convenient if you are a Google user like me. Zoho can be used in your mobile devices, you just have to download the application. I think this a great tool for collaboration because you can share whatever you create and you can have a meeting, discussion or chatting online in real time.

Image Editing

PicMonkey

I would recommend PicMonkey to my colleagues or anybody. PicMonkey is a free online photo editor. It is very easy to use and it has a lot of interesting features like make a collage, effects, texture, text, frame, theme, and even makeup effects. You cal also have the upgrade version for more features. You don't need to register to use it or download it. After editing your photo, you can save it or share it by email, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and others.

I played a little bit wit it. Here there is an example of what you can do with it.So, here the before and after: