After reading the top 100 tools for learning in 2013 I was quite surprised of how many tools I already use. I couldn’t believe that out of the top 10 I had used five different learning tools. But I do have to say out of the 100 learning tools I have personally only used 20 of them, which makes me feel out of the technology loop. As I went through the list a few of them caught my eye and I hope to use them in the future. I thought that Google docs was interesting, it’s a free web-based word processor where you can also store documents. One that I can definitely can use is Dropbox, I had no idea something like this even existed. I really like this because sometimes I store things on my work computer and when I am home cannot access anything. This list has helped me explore several different learning tools that can help me with this class and help with work too.
I had no idea what Web 1.0 or Web 2.0 even was till now. After reading and watching the video I have a good understanding of exactly what it does. Basically, Web 2.0 is where you can research a product and receive reviews on it before you actually purchase it. A website that instantly comes to my mind is Yelp. But I think this can be a great for educational purposes too. As I was reading the articles my first thought was this master’s program, it’s all online! I think for education it can be useful and give reviews on teachers, classes, public school and more. But it is the parents, students and staff that are writing the reviews. I think that this can be helpful for students to be able to discuss and learn from others about a subject. This will help students for in depth discussions, research and learning.
Since this class has started I have learned a few different technology ideas I can incorporate in my career. I really enjoyed the Facebook fan page. I think that it is a great way to be able to connect with my soccer and basketball players. I think its a good way to stay in touch at their level and grab their attention. I also think that making a twitter account was another great idea. I just need to understand it a little more. I have made an account but need to be able to reach out to students and let them know that this is a place where information will be sent about class or practice. Lastly, I thought the photo sharing sites were great too. I will use them more so for my personal use but never thought I was capable of doing something like that. I can not wait to learn more!
I found all of the articles on podcasting very interesting. I like what it can offer to education, and honestly never really knew about it till now, but it makes sense. When I got my bachelors degree I went to class every day, however I feel like while getting my masters this is a great learning tool for it. Now knowing exactly what podcasting can do for student learning I think it’s a great way to learn. It will be able to keep students current with class and never fall behind. The article “Using Podcasts as Audio Learning Object,” also explains that how podcasting serves anytime and anywhere there is mobile learning. I believe that this type of learning will be able to benefit not only students but professors as well.
The articles that talk about teachers using the iPods for learning use will have its pros and cons. I think the idea is brilliant. I use my iPod every day, whether it’s a work, the gym or at home cooking. It’s always in use. I think that when I was in school and I were able to listen to my professors while cooking or working out I would have been able to retain the material better. One of the articles, Sailor explained “I’d like to be the most played artist on their iPod.” He also says “Then I know they’re getting the material multiple times.” I think he is completely correct, and is trying to reach students at their level and what interests them. A down fall would be professors that are not technologically savvy. I understand that some did not grow up with it, and want to stick to what they have done for years. But if this is a way to reach the students at their level, I think all teachers should consider it. Below is the link to the Facebook fan page that I created to inform players and fans of upcoming events and highlights from previous contests.
https://www.facebook.com/EHSgirlssoccerinformation I found this article to be very informative. The article overveiws the thoughts and opinions of people about the new generation and all of the technological advancements that the children will have. I think that the internet has been a great tool to children helping them learn at a rapid pace. It is instant learning right at their fingertips. But I do think that the next generation will become to dependent on the internet that without Google or a search engine they will think they will not be able to find the answers. They will not even know how to look information up at a library or even know how to use a book anymore. The internet has and will allows provide instant access to information and answers, but will stop creative thinking and individual ideas on their own. The new generation will solely rely on the internet for everything, and I am not sure that it will be a good thing.
I found this article about social networking in undergraduate education very interesting. I feel as though social networking has helped advance education and technology. I think that the internet is a huge component to education. As an educator, I felt that some of the social networking that they mentioned would be a distraction rather than help the students in a learning environment. I think that Facebook is a great place to have discussions and pages about classes but I do think it can easily be a distraction. I do think that the blackboard is a better choice and was preferred for a school setting.
I think that Facebook is more of my personal life rather than educational. I like to think that Facebook is separate from my work environment and enjoyable. In the article, it states that “Facebook is a valuable tool that helps to strengthen interpersonal relationships, build communities and engage students.” I think that it can definitely strengthen interpersonal relationships and help build communities for students. I would like to keep my personal and business sites separate. I think that social networking can be a great tool used for the correct purposes. When I go onto Facebook I can easily get distracted and find something that interests me. If people can use the social sites for the right reasons it could be a great tool for students to learn from. |