Collaborative Tools

Coursesites:

I used Coursesites to build my class for CED 592 course last fall.  Coursesites is a product of Blackboard.  Coursesites is designed to be used via the internet as opposed to being located on the school's server.  I this way, teachers may use Coursesites without having the whole institution using it.  Teachers wanting to use Coursesites may do so for free.  There is a limit to how many free courses you have.

The positives of Coursesites are as follows.  Coursesites can be used by individual teachers wanting to organize their class vie this web tools.  Like Blackboard, you can post files, discussion boards, tests, grades, etc.  It can manage your entire class information.  Also, if a student or teacher has used Blackboard in the past, it will be easy for them to navigate.  It can be used for collaborative learning through the discussion boards.

The drawbacks are that there is a bit of a learning curve for teachers and students.  The ease of the navigation depends heavily on how the teacher sets it up.  Coursesites is so customizable, it can create problems with unorganized or inconsistent instructors.  Also, if your school uses a specific grading program, grades would have to be duplicated into your schools data system.  Another drawback is that once the class is over, students can no longer access the file, information, and pertinent discussions on the boards.  Accessing for future reference does not apply.  I also teach middle school.  They could learn how to us it but I feel they may find it somewhat difficult.

Again, I have used Coursesites for an entire semester.  I think it is a wonderful tool and would use it again if I was teaching high school and beyond.

Edmodo:

Edmodo is a online classroom terminal that mimics the Facebook "news feed" style. Students can access class information, participate in online discussions, polls, and retrieve class documents.

The Pros:  My students would be very familiar with this format.  Thinks would be easy for them to find, understand, and participate in.  The familiarity may even promote participation as opposed to other similar applications.  Students can submit assignments through Edmodo and grades can be posted there.

The Cons:  As with Blackboard, if your school uses a specific data management program, grades would have to be duplicated.  Units and assignments cannot be organized and clustered together as easily as Blackboard. 

Collaborize Classroom:

 Collaborize Classroom is an interactive tool that allows students to collaborate it ideas, discussions, and feedback in a social networking style of interface.  It is similar to edumodo be seems to be more discussion tool focused.  Teachers can pose questions to the group and students can give feedback as well as build off of other comments.

The pros include ease of use, questioning tools/formats, and greater focus on class participation.  Some of the drawback are that the tool is primarily focused on discussion only and less tools from which to choose.

Building Our Online Presence

 

     In today's education., with today's web tools, there is really no reason why one can't produce a website.  In this module we were given the choice of webpage design tools and instructed to create a website we could use.  I chose to use Wix.com. It creates a Flash-based website and I had never used it before. 

     I decided to create a website for my students to view on the Vikings.  Our World History textbook only discusses them briefly but they had a profound effect on western culture for two centuries.  Like most web-based page design programs, it was easy to use.  I selected a template I liked and then started to customize it for my uses.  I had a view issues with the program transferring pictures onto multiple pages.  I am not sure if a setting was toggled or it was a mistake with Flash but after taking out the graphic and inserting it again, the problem when away.  After getting everything laid out, I began to add my information.  Once that was complete, I added some fun details that can be done in flash.  I added animated flames and crackling fire sound to the home page. 

     It was very easy using this program but I would probably be more apt to use other webhosting to control have more control over the content.  In a pinch or for a specific purpose, I think it is great.

Alternatives to Powerpoint

The first part of our assignment was to visit and select 5 website that discuss the use of presentation software in education. I made more selections than just five partially because I found some good resources and my instructor provided some very interesting selections as well.  They are all listed here on Diigo.

The main part of our assignment was to create a presentation using a Web 2.0 alternative to PowerPoint.  I chose Prezi, an application that pans and zooms in & out of graphics or slides.  My project can be found here:  http://prezi.com/djyhohhsgawi/4th-quarter-freedom-of-choice-project/



I really enjoyed using Prezi.  I found it easier to use than PowerPoint, at least in the finishing stage.  I will sometimes spend hours on transitions, animations, and fine tuning.  Prezi was a completely different experience.  I typed my information in and added graphics.  Then all I had to do was chart the path I wanted the presentation to take.  What took hours of fine tuning was done in minutes.  It encourages me to use it more often.  I don't feel it replaces PowerPoint but I will use it as an alternative and to change things up from time to time.  I think I will also use it for trainings with other teachers.

Personal Learning Networks

Personal Learning Networks are groups of educational professionals that have expertise in a given subject matter that serve as a resource to other members of the group.  These PLN's give educators access to thousands of other educators for activities, lesson plans, ideas, sounding board, and research.  PLN can take many forms including Social Bookmarking, Blogs, Nings, and Wikis.

Social Bookmarking: 

Social bookmarking allows the creator to share his or her bookmark of useful, interesting, and thought-provoking websites with others.  As it pertains to PLNs this allows the creator to share sorted bookmarks with specific groups like educators with a particular interest.  I have used iKeepBookmarks, Delicious, and Diigo.  My favorite is Diigo for ease of use and focus on the educational application of their app.

Blogs:

Blogs make it easy to share content, opinions, and links.  Blogging is sharing information like never before.  The problem is that anyone can start a blog so the reader must be very careful in choosing the blogs they read because the information they provide may not be factual, cited, etc.  I am using eblogger/blogspot to host this blog which are reading for its easy of use and the ability to customize.

Ning/Wikis:

I joined several Nings through this assignment including The Educator's PLN and Classroom 2.0. The one I participated in was on RezEd, in their K-8 Virtual Worlds group.  I am currently exploring using Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) in my classroom.  I asked these educators for more information on Quest Atlantis, a MUVE designed for students in my age group.  I found it difficult to participate in many of these PLNs initially because they require verified memberships and application review.  This made it somewhat difficult in completing the assignment in a timely fashion, as I had to apply and wait for approval.  The other thing I noticed is that on many of the sites, some of the posts were somewhat dated.  I make me feel like they may be stagnant with content and/or participation.

Purpose for the Blog in the Spring of 2012

Welcome!  My temporary intent for this blog is to meet specific requirements for my graduate CED 507 Instructional Technology Tools for the 21st Century course at Fontbonne University in St. Louis.  Posts from me will deal with course units and the activities that we are assigned in that course.  The course material is a valuable resource and I encourage all to enjoy it.  Once the semester is over, this blog will continue with new content pertaining to current educational technologies.  Feel free to join, comment, and contribute to the blog throughout these phases.