Thing #17: Del.icio.us
Wow! I continue to be amazed at the technological advancements I have learned about through EDU 5500 at Austin Peay State University. I have been awakened by the plethora of resources and I am excited to incorporate them into my professional development and general classroom instruction. Del.icio.us certainly ranks in the top five sites I have discovered due to its ease of use and categorical organization of websites. The site is very easy to navigate, and when paired with the RSS Feed feature its impact is quickly enhanced.
I have been a long time fan of bookmarks as it provides a boost to my memory by saving useful websites for future reference. The downside is that my bookmarks had become as congested as my email, with no means of being able to organize the sites. The best aspect of Del.icio.us is that its utilization goes far beyond a sophisticated bookmarking feature to a useful instructional tool and resource. Aside from the apparent use of the social networking feature for teachers, it also allows a platform for students to share helpful websites for other students to investigate. As teachers, we strive to provide useful web resources to students that we feel are both stimulating and enjoyable. Although, we are often successful... fellow students can be a more intelligible source for deciding what their demographic enjoys most. Allowing students to discover resources from both teachers and fellow students will allow more freedom in creating individualized learning patterns, led largely by the students themselves. Teachers will be able to monitor student suggested websites via the social networking feature as well to ensure that proposed resources are beneficial and accurate. Teachers may also bookmark favorable sites for future students to consider as a plausible resource.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thing 16
Thing 16: Get Organized with Web 2.0 Tools
As I experimented with various Internet start pages, I opted to join Pageflakes. The main factors behind my decision regarded the utilization of email, calendars and task lists to keep me organized. I was also attracted to the aesthetics of the web page layout and the general ease in formatting the actual page to quickly view topic headlines. I was so enamored by the concept, that I did opt to create my own customized page that included local and national headlines, links to some of my favorite sites, organizational tools and of course... Sudoku!
In considering which on-line calendar to utilize, I opted to register with Google Calendar as I currently utilize Gmail. The Google Calendar will sync directly with my email account, including retrieving contacts and making the calendar both useful and easy. My goal is to utilize Google Calendar to manage my personal appointments and school work, in an effort to remain organized, as I continue to juggle family, work and school. I was impressed by the Salesforce Calendar from Jot. The only reservation I had regarded the fact that it was not a free site. I am not sure how it would be perceived by company executives, but I do plan to offer this as a suggestion at our next departmental meeting as I do feel the value is worth the investment. If you have a moment... check it out, especially if you work in sales/marketing.
With regards to "to do lists," I personally am a fan of keeping tasks organized. My shortfall is in juggling professional and private lists. There is certainly a little extra time involved in creating and managing lists, but I do like the ease of manipulating tasks in Google Calendar. I also feel that the additional time required to manage this account will be minimal, largely due to the utilization of a personalized start page. As with anything, time will tell as to the actual value of maintaining personal and professional tasks, but I remain optimistic that things will flow smoothly.
In reviewing other Web 2.0 sources, I would suggest taking a moment to review MyStickies (on-line post-it notes) and Engrade (classroom organization/grading software). MyStickies allows you to incorporate multiple colored post-it notes to various websites, thus allowing a means of tracking important components of various sites. This feature outshines bookmarks as it denotes the value as to why pages have been marked; this information can be most helpful when conducting research. Engrade enhances the process of maintaining, tracking, recording and sharing grades/assignments with parents and students. This platform allows parents to remain abreast of classroom activities and student performance via weekly email updates, thus alleviating any surprises at the end of a grading period. It also allows teachers a means of maintaining organization of attendance, grades and assignment statuses.
Thing 15
Thing#15: Wikis
A Wiki is a website that allows for collaborative learning, researching and brainstorming within team and individual environments, as well as globally. The premise behind a Wiki is simply to share information/ideas and encourage the involvement of others to provide new perspectives/approaches to the situations presented. The best component is that information can be shared in real time, even with regards to modifications, without the tedious utilization of endless emails and phone calls. Once changes are made... alerts are sent to other users so that they may observe and make alterations as needed.
Within education, collaborative learning environments are highly utillized in an effort to most effectively communicate concepts to students. Although individual aptitude, for teachers, is essential in fostering trust and confidence in students; effective teachers understand the intrinsic value of seeking best practices from other educators to ensure that they are providing the least restrictive environments and tools for students to utilize. The other exciting component of Wiki utilization in the classroom format is that it allows students to embark in self discovery of topics by sharing information gained through research and experimentation with other students. Additionally, students can add/alter information to further perfect the document. Personally, I can see myself utilizing this aspect regularly to gauge the level of proficiency in understanding educational concepts. Furthermore, it will provide students with a study guide to aid in their future learning endeavors and most importantly... it will serve as a reflection of their personal successes and demonstrate the intrinsic value of team collaboration.
A Wiki is a website that allows for collaborative learning, researching and brainstorming within team and individual environments, as well as globally. The premise behind a Wiki is simply to share information/ideas and encourage the involvement of others to provide new perspectives/approaches to the situations presented. The best component is that information can be shared in real time, even with regards to modifications, without the tedious utilization of endless emails and phone calls. Once changes are made... alerts are sent to other users so that they may observe and make alterations as needed.
Within education, collaborative learning environments are highly utillized in an effort to most effectively communicate concepts to students. Although individual aptitude, for teachers, is essential in fostering trust and confidence in students; effective teachers understand the intrinsic value of seeking best practices from other educators to ensure that they are providing the least restrictive environments and tools for students to utilize. The other exciting component of Wiki utilization in the classroom format is that it allows students to embark in self discovery of topics by sharing information gained through research and experimentation with other students. Additionally, students can add/alter information to further perfect the document. Personally, I can see myself utilizing this aspect regularly to gauge the level of proficiency in understanding educational concepts. Furthermore, it will provide students with a study guide to aid in their future learning endeavors and most importantly... it will serve as a reflection of their personal successes and demonstrate the intrinsic value of team collaboration.
Thing 14 Go with the Flow
Thing #14: Go with the Flow
In consideration of the differences between flow charts and mind maps, I found myself at a crossroad. I had never participated in a mind mapping activity and I was at a loss as to what is truly different. In reviewing the materials provided, I chose to embark on this journey of discovery through the utilization of Gliffy and Bubbl.us.
The general principle of both format is to form an outline of information that can be easily processed and digested by the general public. Although both flowcharts and mind maps may seem very similar upon one's initial glance, the conceptional framework is actually more diverse. Flowcharts, as utilized in Gliffy, utilize a myriad of alternative shapes, colors, designs and images to portray relationships between outlined components. There are a myriad of options in creating flowcharts, and the overall design is directly managed by the user and it is easily manipulated. I actually chose this site so that I could utilize the SWOT analysis software. However after muptliple attempts to download the software... I was unsucessful in retrieving the software component.
The major deviation between a general flowchart and mind mapping was witnessed via the utilization of Bubbl.us. Mind mapping is a learning technique that applies visuals and color/shape combinations to outline concepts or ideas. As learning takes place in real time, it is imperative to have a software program that is responsive and easy to connect concepts/techniques. Bubbl.us allows for such ease and versatility, as you can easily connect various thoughts/ideas into manageable pieces very quickly. This ensures that the user does not miss pertinent information in the meeting/classroom.
In consideration of the differences between flow charts and mind maps, I found myself at a crossroad. I had never participated in a mind mapping activity and I was at a loss as to what is truly different. In reviewing the materials provided, I chose to embark on this journey of discovery through the utilization of Gliffy and Bubbl.us.
The general principle of both format is to form an outline of information that can be easily processed and digested by the general public. Although both flowcharts and mind maps may seem very similar upon one's initial glance, the conceptional framework is actually more diverse. Flowcharts, as utilized in Gliffy, utilize a myriad of alternative shapes, colors, designs and images to portray relationships between outlined components. There are a myriad of options in creating flowcharts, and the overall design is directly managed by the user and it is easily manipulated. I actually chose this site so that I could utilize the SWOT analysis software. However after muptliple attempts to download the software... I was unsucessful in retrieving the software component.
The major deviation between a general flowchart and mind mapping was witnessed via the utilization of Bubbl.us. Mind mapping is a learning technique that applies visuals and color/shape combinations to outline concepts or ideas. As learning takes place in real time, it is imperative to have a software program that is responsive and easy to connect concepts/techniques. Bubbl.us allows for such ease and versatility, as you can easily connect various thoughts/ideas into manageable pieces very quickly. This ensures that the user does not miss pertinent information in the meeting/classroom.
Thing 13: Zoho Writer Overview
Thing 13: Zoho WriterI am intrigued at the ease of use and functionality of Zoho Writer. The flexibility of collaboratively working on a document, and the ability to make comments, with a group of colleagues in real time offers insight into the value of web based software. Additionally, the "tag as folders" feature makes locating documents a breeze and the automatic save feature proved to be a life saver within this short post.
Being a middle school math teacher, I am impressed at the level of options in writing math problems and equations. I find Zoho Writer to be much more proficient than Microsoft Word in this fashion. The three main options offered in Zoho Writer are:
- Subscript:
- Superscript:
- Insert equations:
Apart from this minor flaw, I find Zoho Writer to be liberating, just at the photo above portrays. It will certainly prove to be a defining force in future document writing by providing a new age approach toward team engagement and production.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Thing #12 Google Tools
In reviewing Google tools, I identified with Google Alerts most as it provided options that are both applicable in the classroom and in my personal life. The premise behind Google Alerts is that you can have newly posted information sent directly to your email or feed reader as it is posted online. The program focuses on news, web, blog, video, group and comprehensive (a collage of the items previously mentioned). Personally, I have set-up an account to post information regarding my community directly to my Google Reader account for easy access. I felt this was the better option as I can review the information much quicker than if I had to open up individual emails. From an educational perspective, it offers an avenue to stay abreast of current events that are occurring in the world around us and changes in our respective field of study. As with many programs, you set the parameters of what information you would like to receive, then the program performs a data mine to retrieve the information for you. This is a great time saver and further maximizes the efficiency of the teacher.
The other tool I reviewed was the Picassa Web Albums. Being a big fan of Google, I thought that this would be a good way to share photos with other family members which is something I had never done online. Setting up an account was very easy, but I ran into complications trying to figure out how to add photos. Apparently, you need to download the Picassa software package as well to utilize this program and I was a little aggravated that this was not denoted up front; I actually retrieved this information when I searched the help section. I did not like the fluidity of the program, perhaps it is due to my own inexperience with posting online photos, and I decided that I will not be utilizing this service. My initial plan was to utilize the program to house personal photos for our family to review, as well as student photos that their parents could access to see what is happening at school. Despite the challenges, I am still a Google fan, just not this program.
The other tool I reviewed was the Picassa Web Albums. Being a big fan of Google, I thought that this would be a good way to share photos with other family members which is something I had never done online. Setting up an account was very easy, but I ran into complications trying to figure out how to add photos. Apparently, you need to download the Picassa software package as well to utilize this program and I was a little aggravated that this was not denoted up front; I actually retrieved this information when I searched the help section. I did not like the fluidity of the program, perhaps it is due to my own inexperience with posting online photos, and I decided that I will not be utilizing this service. My initial plan was to utilize the program to house personal photos for our family to review, as well as student photos that their parents could access to see what is happening at school. Despite the challenges, I am still a Google fan, just not this program.
Thing #11 Finding Good Feeds
In previewing the various feeds, I have come to the realization that Google Blog Search is a very natural resource to utilize, especially when utilized from a more global perspective. You can easily search for RSS feeds by predetermined categories or simply conduct a user defined search for the items that you are most interested in. I have additionally found that Google Blogs returns a tremendous amount of resources, which is both good and bad. With this in mind, your searches need to be more detailed to reduce the amount of search returns, but I feel that this is the best resource for the classroom as it offers more diversity. Additionally, I really liked Topix from a personal perspective as it focuses on what is occurring in my surrounding areas. This allows me to quickly stay abreast of everything that is occurring by topic, especially those that I have not predetermined as topics I would like to focus on. I did not find much application for this program beyond the confines of my surrounding area.
I was very impressed with the Technorati layout; in fact I felt that their layout was more aesthetically pleasing. The site is easy to navigate and it includes both topic suggestions, along with top rated sites, and a recap of sites that have seen the largest recent decline in usage. Although its layout is similar to Google Blog Search, I felt that it did not offer the degree of versatility offered by Google Blog Search. On the flip side, I was least impressed with Syndic8 and Feedster. Both of these sites lacked the versatility of the programs listed above and they seemed to focus more on a business perspective than an educational one. Both sites offered a user defined search feature, with a few predetermined topics, but the layout was not user friendly and seemed to offer more text than features.
Throughout my search, I tended to seek sites that would provide feeds to my county of residence so that I may keep informed of current events. As I live in a smaller community, Google again offered the most options. Some sites did not even return any suggestions. I did decide to join a site of concerned parents that closely monitor the Cheatham County School System. Since I have a daughter in this school system, I felt that joining the site would be a good idea. The initially blogs seem objective, but it remains to be seen how true to form it will actually be.
I was very impressed with the Technorati layout; in fact I felt that their layout was more aesthetically pleasing. The site is easy to navigate and it includes both topic suggestions, along with top rated sites, and a recap of sites that have seen the largest recent decline in usage. Although its layout is similar to Google Blog Search, I felt that it did not offer the degree of versatility offered by Google Blog Search. On the flip side, I was least impressed with Syndic8 and Feedster. Both of these sites lacked the versatility of the programs listed above and they seemed to focus more on a business perspective than an educational one. Both sites offered a user defined search feature, with a few predetermined topics, but the layout was not user friendly and seemed to offer more text than features.
Throughout my search, I tended to seek sites that would provide feeds to my county of residence so that I may keep informed of current events. As I live in a smaller community, Google again offered the most options. Some sites did not even return any suggestions. I did decide to join a site of concerned parents that closely monitor the Cheatham County School System. Since I have a daughter in this school system, I felt that joining the site would be a good idea. The initially blogs seem objective, but it remains to be seen how true to form it will actually be.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
