5612 First Post

While working through the first assignment, we were asked to look at several current Internet based applications that are used for communication and collaboration. Instant Messaging is something that has been around for quite awhile. As far as a communication tool, it is probably the most straightforward item discussed. It is real time, and the thing I like is that it allows you to multitask quite a bit more than a telephone conversation. As a backchannel tool, it is efficient, but can also serve as a distraction. VOIP is a fairly recent development and one that I use personally. Initially, there were some quality issue, but I have never encountered a problem. The versatility of this is something that traditional phone companies can't really touch. I love the fact that I can call across the country for the same rate all the time. Comcast, my provider, has an iPhone app that allows for me check voice mails without having to dial my mailbox. The 911 concerns I believe have been worked out to a large extent and with the addition to battery backups in the modems, the problem of power outage has also. Podcasts, while also a fairly recent development, have had a major impact on education. With the ability to quickly and inexpensively produce a podcast, educators are able to take learning out of the classroom and add it as an on demand offering. There is a wealth of information that is available with Podcasts. Schools have a multitude of opportunity to pass along supplemental info, distribute announcements or post videos of events or speakers (with the proper clearance of course). Podcasts also add a new dimension to professional development. Podcasts in education have grown to be so popular, that Apple has a special section devoted to them on iTunes called iTunes U. Blogs are also a major source of information. No longer do information seekers have to rely on publications to get information. Experts and amateurs alike are now spreading information, ideas and news via Blogs. These are excellent tool of learning. Accessible anytime, blogs are useful tools for educators to post lessons, information on topics not fully discussed in class and are also useful for educators to learn from each other. Just like podcasts, the ability to use this tool for professional development is limitless. The only catch is the the blogger must keep up. If you slack off, then you lose readers and the blog is not as useful. Facebook and Myspace have really blown up in terms of users in the past few years. As a tool for educators, these social networks are still fleshing out their usefulness. They can become a distraction in the classroom however. There is still plenty of opportunity to use these services however. Since they are a very popular way to communicate (understatement I know) students and readers are more likely to check these sites for information. I know that Twitter has really be thrust to the forefront of social networking. Because of its basic nature and ease to use interface, it has become a handy backchannel communication tool. I know Purdue University has pioneered a tool called Hotseat, where students can use Facebook, Twitter, a smartphone or a web interface to communicate with instructors and teacher assistants in class to ask questions, or bring up topic suggestions. By going to where the students live digitally, Purdue is encouraging use of these services. Second Life is another applications that educators are starting to use to hold classes online. With Second Life, users assume the role of their Avatar (movie reference not intended) and are able to interact with others in the environment. This gives educators the ability to build and customize the learning environment and have users assume different roles depending on the lesson.
By using these new and diverse communication portals, educators have the opportunity to interact with their students in the environment where their students spend a majority of their time. There are pitfalls to using these technologies, but the rewards out weigh the risks.

Module 7

I liked the voice over presentation a bit more than the picture only version. While I think that the picture only version is strong, the narration adds to it. While I think that yes the images convey a strong message, I think that the voice over that is added to it provides some context and history behind each image. This program could be a good benefit to students working on PowerPoint presentations. The share functions that Slideboom has make it very easy to publish a presentation to any number of social networking sites. I especially like the way that it will encode it into a video format as well. The fact that it does this for free is a huge benefit. Usually a third party program that cost money is required to do this. I think that this exercise will help me in the future better focus on what goes into my presentations as well as help me focus on context for placing images on my presentations.

SlideBoom Presentation

Hatchett5618module7

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Thing #18

Social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace really dominate when it comes to the social network community. I started my social networking journy on MySpace and quickly became addicted. But, I think that MySpace was a victim of its own success and lost focus on what it was. As the ads piled up and viruses and phishing attempts grew, I stayed away. Facebook quickly replaced it. The interface is much cleaner and I think that it is a bit easier to communicate with Facebook. There are several aspects that are useful, especially in the case of educational communities. I know in the school that I work at, the different classes have Facebook pages setup that they use to share information and advice. Facebook and MySpace would both be great applications to get information out to students as well as educators.

Thing #17

Del.icio.us is one of those tools that I have heard about, just never got involved with it. Now that I know more about it I cannot wait to add it to my toolbox. I like the way that I will be able to add custom tags to sites that I will find useful for whatever project that I am working on. The browser buttons are also handy for quick access to features. While Google has a similar feature where you can bookmark sites and reach them from the Google toolbar, the tagging function and the ability to build on these sites from other users will allow users to get more information. There is not enough time in the day to search for all websites that have relevant information. By allowing other to build on what is tagged, it creates a community of searchers that are all looking for the same information.

Thing #16

Only productivity tools are something that I use everyday. I briefly spoke about iGoogle in a previous posting and it truly is a great tool. On my iGoogle page I have my Google Calendar, Google Reader, Google news alert and my Gmail all in one quick access place. The Google Calendar especially gets a workout. It is used in my workplace so we can keep track of time off, hardware and software upgrades and other community events. Ubernote is another online tool that I use for project management as well as keeping track of monthly assignments. Ubernote is also versatile because I can update it from my iPhone as well as from my iGoogle page.

Thing #15

Wikipedia could be one of the best sites on the web. Wiki's are supplementing the blog experience by allowing anyone to contribute to a posting. I have been using Wikipedia for a few years now and am now starting to take notice of more specialized content wiki's. This would be a great tool especially in the field of instructional technology. This could be a great clearing house for users to share knowledge across the spectrum of this subject. By having a venue where multiple users can contribute to one subject, many different viewpoints and experience levels can increase the knowledge of the group.