Web 2.0 Resources to Promote Cross-Cultural Awareness and Connections

Twiddla, created by Expat Software in 2015,  is an interactive whiteboard web program that allows anyone to collaborate in an online space.  It allows its users to type, add pictures, documents, web pages, and other resources to a shared board.  Users collaborate in real time, and teachers can create a space in which all students can participate and contribute.

 

Setting up Twiddla is beyond simple.  One simply need to go to their page and start a new board.  The link to that board can be shared with anyone who has a device that connected to the internet.  After students are done collaborating, the contents can be saved and referenced at a later time.

 

I can see Twiddla being used to spark all sorts of global conversations.  A teacher could post a music video, for instance, and ask students to post their thoughts and impression of the video.  It would be interesting to see how students from all over the world react to the same piece of media.  A teacher can also use this to share resources with other teachers, and create an online workspace for collaboration.  I love that this can be used in real time, and students could share articles, videos, and resources pertaining to a certain topic with one another.  It’s a great way to create brainstorms and idea webs.