Changing teaching practices with Web 2.0 technologies: a study on the use of collaborative online tools in vocational education
Abstract: This article presents an empirical study developed by a Mathematics teacher after attending an ICT teacher education program where Web 2.0 technologies were explored as cognitive tools to engage students in innovative learning activities. The project was designed for a 11th grade class of Vocational Education students and the Google Docs tool and its features as a form, text, spreadsheet and electronic presentation editor were used to teach a Statistics Module. Students explored the potential of the tool to develop a survey that was applied to all the local school community. The aims of the study were: i) to evaluate the strategy implications in the interaction dynamics’ and students’ cooperation/collaboration, and ii) to ascertain if the experience changed the participants’ perceptions concerning Mathematics, Statistic and the use of ICT in the learning process. The results of the empirical study as well as teacher´s insights on the implications of the education program for professional development are presented and discussed.