Reflection of Teaching and Learning with Web 2.0 Tools

     I have enjoyed the opportunity to explore various web 2.0 tools for this course.  I am thankful for the ability of using YouTube in my Pre-K classroom to enhance my instruction.  I know that YouTube is a tool that I will continue to use.  Twitter has proven to be a good tool as far as connecting with others in the field, and possibly parent involvement.  Unfortunately, since my students are so young, they themselves are not able to independently use web 2.0 tools.  I do have an idea of using a tool like Glogster as a whole group project with my students during circle time or a small group project during center time.  I have also use the Web 2.0 tool, http://mystorybook.com to create a Social Story to prepare for a class field trip.  This was done as a whole group during circle time.
     An obvious strength of web 2.0 tools is the ability to communicate instantly with people through the power of the internet.  I also love the ability of web 2.0 tools, like Prezi, to store data of completed projects.  This keeps the user from having to use a USB drive.  I love being able to access information instantly from anywhere with an internet connection.  I am a frequent user of drop box because of this reason.  I can find the files I need just by having an internet connection.
     I think the weakness of web 2.0 tools, especially social media tools, is that pretty much anyone can use these tools to post anything they want.  I believe I have mentioned in the course before how people post a lot of bologna on site like FaceBook, sharing articles that were created simply for satire purpose.  People are so quick to believe any and everything they see on the internet.  Just because it was see on the internet, does not mean it is true.  Also the inappropriate content of some web 2.0 tools is a weakness for using these tools to educate young students.  Luckily there are tools, like safesearch.tv, which enable the user more protection against inappropriate material.
     I feel as if my knowledge of available web 2.0 tools and ways in which to use them to benefit education has certainly increased since the beginning of this course.  Web 2.0 tools are obviously here to say.  It is exciting to think about what kinds of tools will be invented and used in our future.