Scratch

Scratch is a program that allows users to create stories, animations, games, music, and art. It is basically a programming language made easy so users can be creative and then publish their work on the web.

I found it very difficult to understand and use. It has a script section where you drag and drop particular actions into and then the selected character performs these actions, plays music or changes in a certain way. It was confusing and difficult to get the character to do what you intended it to do.

I thought that this program was too difficult for me to master so I would be reluctant to use it in my classroom. However, some children have exceptional abilities in this type of technology and so may find it
easy to master.

Jing

Jing is a program that allows users to take a snapshot or make a video of the screen and share it with others online. It is free to download and can be upgraded for a small cost.
It could be useful when making step by step instructions on how to use a program. However I don't think it would be something that I would use in the classroom on a regular basis. I didn't feel that there was enough educational value in Jing. It would be useful for teachers, but I don't see the usefulness for students. However it is a lot of fun to play with and can have benefits for those people who have online conversations.

Google Docs

Google Docs is a Web application that allows users to share documents and invite others to view and/or edit them. For example, let’s say I was writing an assignment as part of a group at university. Normally I would email the document as an attachment and then wait for other group members to edit and make their changes accordingly, then email it back to me so I can view it. This makes many different copies of the same document, which can be difficult to keep track of. With Google docs, all that is unnecessary. I would upload my document in Google Docs and invite my group members to view it and make any changes they feel are necessary. All changes are instant as soon as they are saved and can be changed again and again whenever an invited user chooses. You can post a document solely for viewing only, or allow users to view and edit. Only invited users can view or edit the document which provides extra security and eliminates unwanted changes.
I think this is a fantastic innovation and I would use it in my personal and professional life. Within an educational sense it has unlimited possibilities. As was demonstrated in class, a story can be written by multiple users and this provides an excellent vehicle for written expression and writing through personal choice. As a teacher it has huge administrative benefits. Class rolls can be completed and submitted electronically to the office, parents can view their students work directly online, homework assignments can be completed and submitted. The possibilities are endless.
As a future educator and as a student, I would use this application regularly. I have already found uses for it in my work and home life. The need for printing and paper costs would be eliminated which can only be better for the environment and leave less clutter for us all to clean up!
Go Google Docs... it rocks!