11 Tools: Tool #6 Using Web 2.0 for Discussion

Online Discussion Boards and Social Networks are a great place to collaborate with fellow teachers. They're an even better place for students to have discussions too. Most students by the 5th grade have a twitter and/or Facebook account. And they're discussing things, it might as well be about information learned in the classroom! I feel that intermediate grades and above can utilize social networks more effectively than primary. However, teachers can have an account for the whole classroom and "socialize" with other classrooms. Obviously there are Facebook and Twitter, but to bring other classrooms into your own, Skype is a neat way to get students discussing. This past year, I had a student diagnosed with cancer, so he would Skype in to our lessons and feel included while out for treatments. It was great! This year, I would like to try and set up "Reading Buddies" on Skype with some students from my old school. We will see how it goes!