Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Twitter is yet another socila networking site. It uses the ability to update statuses to let followers know what the user is up to and a mini form of blogging.
It has really increased in popularity with a lot of celebrities using it, so lots of followers who are interested in learning what they are up to. Could it possibly replace gossip magazines? One could only hope!
Users can block certain people from following, but unless you actively do so, it won't happen. Anyone can follow virtually anyone! I suspect that's why its so popular with celebrities. A really good way for them to get the truth out there!
Twitter can be accessed online or even on your mobile phone, as now more and more technologies are available from your average mobile phone.
In regard to this technology having educationla benefits? I can't really see this happening. I wouldn't use it in my classroom as I feel that students would waste too much time being social and not get any educational benefits. It would be really hard to monitor the student's use.
But it is a fun application!
It has really increased in popularity with a lot of celebrities using it, so lots of followers who are interested in learning what they are up to. Could it possibly replace gossip magazines? One could only hope!
Users can block certain people from following, but unless you actively do so, it won't happen. Anyone can follow virtually anyone! I suspect that's why its so popular with celebrities. A really good way for them to get the truth out there!
Twitter can be accessed online or even on your mobile phone, as now more and more technologies are available from your average mobile phone.
In regard to this technology having educationla benefits? I can't really see this happening. I wouldn't use it in my classroom as I feel that students would waste too much time being social and not get any educational benefits. It would be really hard to monitor the student's use.
But it is a fun application!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
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!
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!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Bitstrips
Bitstrips is an online application that allows users to create and publish their own cartoons. Characters can be created that are based on yourself or anyone you know... or even start from scratch.
It has huge educational benfits in the classroom and students will be automatically engaged through using this fun application.
Teachers can create a classroom account so they are able to monitor student work and guide further learning.
Students can show their understanding of a topic and teachers can then assess whether theyneed further explanation.
Posting comments on cartoons can be helpful for teachers so they can ensure students have read required information and posted a comment.
I think it's a great fun way to engage and motivate learners.
It has huge educational benfits in the classroom and students will be automatically engaged through using this fun application.
Teachers can create a classroom account so they are able to monitor student work and guide further learning.
Students can show their understanding of a topic and teachers can then assess whether theyneed further explanation.
Posting comments on cartoons can be helpful for teachers so they can ensure students have read required information and posted a comment.
I think it's a great fun way to engage and motivate learners.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The Wisdom of the Wiki
A wiki is a piece of web server software that users can place information of interest on and visitors to the site can add pictures, links, pages and edit the text (Cunningham & Leauf, 2002). They have been used by large companies to communicate and generate ideas. However they have become increasingly common in schools and universities to enhance group learning.
The name ‘wiki’ was formed by the wiki creator, Ward Cunningham. When he was at an airport in Hawaii, he was told to get the ‘Wikiwiki bus’, which is a shuttle service between terminals. It was a quick way to get from A to B and as it reminded him of this creation he chose it instead of naming the new invention ‘Quick-web’.
A wiki is not a fully formed site in itself, instead it invites users to make changes, add pages, links, pictures, videos etc. It is constantly evolving and updated, keeping up with the users’ new ideas or information.
A wiki encourages meaningful discussion on topic of interest from anyone on the internet. They can be made to be private, whereby not available to be edited by just anyone. These types of wikis require registered users to log on in order to make changes. This way it can be ensured that information remains relevant and although anyone can view the wiki, only registered users can add to or edit it.
The wisdom of the wiki is that it gives everyone a voice and opinion on chosen subjects. Anyone can be the expert in their preferred topic and edit text accordingly for the world to see. Through the constant process of editing and full exploration of ideas within specified subject matter, users are constantly involved in discussions around the world which encourages deeper thought within a topic, democratic values and ethical use of communication tools.
Cunningham, W., & Leauf, B. (2002, June 27th 2002). What is Wiki? Welcome Visitors Retrieved 18th August 2009, 2009
The name ‘wiki’ was formed by the wiki creator, Ward Cunningham. When he was at an airport in Hawaii, he was told to get the ‘Wikiwiki bus’, which is a shuttle service between terminals. It was a quick way to get from A to B and as it reminded him of this creation he chose it instead of naming the new invention ‘Quick-web’.
A wiki is not a fully formed site in itself, instead it invites users to make changes, add pages, links, pictures, videos etc. It is constantly evolving and updated, keeping up with the users’ new ideas or information.
A wiki encourages meaningful discussion on topic of interest from anyone on the internet. They can be made to be private, whereby not available to be edited by just anyone. These types of wikis require registered users to log on in order to make changes. This way it can be ensured that information remains relevant and although anyone can view the wiki, only registered users can add to or edit it.
The wisdom of the wiki is that it gives everyone a voice and opinion on chosen subjects. Anyone can be the expert in their preferred topic and edit text accordingly for the world to see. Through the constant process of editing and full exploration of ideas within specified subject matter, users are constantly involved in discussions around the world which encourages deeper thought within a topic, democratic values and ethical use of communication tools.
Cunningham, W., & Leauf, B. (2002, June 27th 2002). What is Wiki? Welcome Visitors Retrieved 18th August 2009, 2009
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