Why Use Web 20 Tools when Teaching Science or Math?

Posted by David Wetzel

The following is a common question heard around teacher workrooms, teacher lunchrooms, faculty meetings, and science or math conferences.

“Why use web 2.0 tools when teaching science or math?”

The answer is both simple and complex at the same time. The answer to this question is:

Online tools facilitate input and interaction by students as they use the four skills of the language (reading, writing, listening and speaking).

For example Wikis, Forums, Twitter, and Blogs provide opportunities for reading and writing. While podcasts, online videos, video blogs, Skype, webcasts, and screencasts give access to spoken language.

Also the use of web 2.0 tools makes it easier to address individual student learning styles.

Advantages for Teachers: Answers Part of the Question - Why?

The advantages are tremendous for using Web 2.0 tools for teaching science and math. The following are a few advantages for teachers and include:

only needing a computer and no special software programs or skills, because software is hosted on somebody else’s server.
most online tools are free for educational purposes.
user-friendly tools, along with many offering video tutorials; eliminating or reducing the need to seek help from an IT person.
access to these tools only requires a computer and access to the Internet anytime and anywhere.
the ability to update, edit, or delete information during a lesson, if needed.
ease of integration of web 2.0 tools into other tools. For example embedding a TeacherTube, Animoto Videos into a Wiki, Blog, or Glogster poster.
autonomous learning for students as the become more involved in the process of learning science or math, especially helpful during project based learning and problem solving activities.

Learning Online: Another Answer for the Question - Why?

Once a teacher has developed a lesson or set of lessons using web 2.0 tools, the lesson or lessons are easily saved from class to class or next year.

Both teachers and students learn:

how to use these online tools for learning and also the ability to transfer this knowledge to their personal lives and careers.
up-to-date information regarding science and math. (i.e., Digg, Delicious)
how to use RSS feeds to focus information gathering and research. (i.e., Digg, Delicious)
by using podcasts and video podcasts for studying, reviewing, and tutoring outside the classroom. (i.e., Wikis, Blogs, Flickr)
to collaborate with colleagues and follow students on projects both in and out of a classroom setting. (i.e., Google Docs, VoiceThread, SlideShare, Glogster)

Collaboration: A Final Answer for the Question - Why?

Ease of collaboration has always been an issue in K-12 science and math education. Lowering classroom walls using web 2.0 tools fosters learning autonomy for students as they have greater opportunities to collaborate with classmates and other students around the world.

Also these collaborative efforts are further realized as students can collaborate with each other from anywhere they have access to the Internet. Examples include students:

collaborating on project reports, presentations, database management, and conducting online surveys. (i.e., Google Docs, OpenOffice, Zoho)
creating group presentations. (i.e., SlideShare, Glogster, VoiceThread, Animoto, Vimeo, Wallwisher, Flickr)
collaborating with students fro other schools around the world for collecting science or math data and research. (i.e., Skype, Twitter)

These examples answer the question - Why should web 2.0 tools be used to teach science and math?

Online tools promote authentic communication and collaboration between teaches to students, students to students, and students to teachers.

Also, web 2.0 tools provide authentic inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, and problem solving situations.