Expert shares her tips for using Web 2.0 tools in your online classes

Madison, Wis.—October 29, 2008 — Most of your students are using Web 2.0 tools. With online learning, you can use these tools to create Personal Learning Environments (PLEs). Many PLEs are web-based, license-free and easy to use.

These tools have many other advantages besides being widely available, free of charge and easy to use. The user takes control of their own learning and manages the process by which they learn. This promotes lifelong learning.

“These tools are convenient for the professor,” said Rhonda Ficek, Ph.D., during her recent Magna Online Seminar. “It takes a lot less time to view notebooks online than collecting physical notebooks.”

PLEs take advantage of the fact that 85% of learning takes place outside the formal setting. With PLEs, students can share their thoughts with each other and discuss class content informally. These tools empower learners in ways that weren’t even possible before.

Ficek also discussed many examples of tools that can be used for online learning, including:
• Wetpaint wiki
• GoogleDocs
• Free Wikis
• E-Notebooks
• Free Web-based E-notebooks
• Electronic organizers

Ficek also spoke about Zotero, the electronic organizer. You can collect, manage and cite research sources with this Web application. She also covered Google calendars, Web-conferencing and virtual conferencing.

This seminar also included helpful handouts about GoogleDocs, podcasting, blogs, wikis and Web conferencing.

If you missed the seminar and would like to purchase it for your institution, you can order the program in CD or print transcript format, both of which include the presenter's handouts.

Magna Publications is a leading publisher of newsletters and other information products in the higher education segment. Magna also manages onsite and online conferences on topics of interest to higher education.

For more information please contact David Burns, Publisher, Magna Publications, Inc., at 608-227-8109, or dburns@magnapubs.com.