For this post I was to look at different Web 2.0 tools that help the user create online start pages, to do lists and a third of my choosing. I started off with the start pages. First, I looked at iGoogle since I already have a Google account. The initial setup looked fairly simple, however I was drawn to the little blurb that stated that iGoole will no longer be available after November 1, 2013. So I went to check out Pageflakes. Hmmm....that page was down. Next I tried Netvibes. It looked a bit intimidating. It was interesting that different plans could be purchased for business use. However, it felt a little too complex for me. So, I ended up back at iGoogle. I created a start page and I really like it. It does make me sad that it will no longer be around in a year. I might use it until then, however. I won't make it my homepage since I share a computer with the rest of my household. But it is nice to be able to see everything I need on one page. I would recommend this start page if it wasn't retiring in a year.
I already use an online calendar through Google, which is why I opted for the to do list. Online calendars are very useful, especially if you have to plan activities with other individuals. My husband and I both use google calendar so that we can view each other's appointments. My brother created one and added all the extended family members birthdays to it, which he opened up to all the family members. Online calendars are a great way to share activities with a group of people.
Next I went to create a to do list. I tried Ta da list first. I was once again met with notification that the site is retiring. They are no longer accepting new members. So I went to Remember the Milk. I was able to create an account with them and made a to do list for my classes on it. I like how there are different tabs: personal, study, work, all lists. It is neat that I am able to e-mail the list or log in and look at it any time, any where. I was even able to add my list to the start page that I created. Nice! It was very easy to set up and create. As someone who has things scattered about, it is a great way to keep track of everything in one spot. I would recommend Remember the Milk to anyone who needs or likes to create to do lists.
I then browsed the other Web 2.0 tools to search for something else to try. Many of them I had already looked at for earlier 23 Things assignments. I decided to try Empressr which allows the user to create slides and slide shows. Unfortunately I had trouble creating an account. The "submit" icon seems to be bugged at the moment. So I was unable to create an account and give it a try. Instead I opted for the PDF converter. It was very simple to use. I selected a file, uploaded it, and then selected "convert". I only had to wait a few seconds for my file to be converted into a PDF. It was very quick and easy to use.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Thing 15 - What in the World is a Wiki?
So I watched the you tube video on about wikis Wikis in Plan English and looked at some of the wiki links posted on the APSU 23 things site Thing 15. The video was very simple and easy to understand :) I logged into APSU 23 Things Sandbox Wiki and added a post. It took me a minute to figure out what I needed to do to be able to edit or add to the site. Once I figured that out I was able to easily copy and paste a selection from my blog onto the site. I even changed my font color a little bit.
I found that wiki's are similar to blogs very interesting. The main difference is that there are many authors involved in creating a wiki, while usually only one creates a blog. I liked the link to the classroom wiki that a high school uses. Wiki's could be used in the classroom by allowing students to add to and edit ideas on particular subject. For instance, if my class was reading a novel I could create a wiki for them to collaborate on various aspects of that novel. Although this is a neat idea, however, I'm not sure I would really use it in the classroom. There are so many wonderful technological tools to choose from and I need to make sure I choose wisely. Perhaps, once I've been teaching for awhile, using a wiki in the classroom will be a tool that I choose.
I found that wiki's are similar to blogs very interesting. The main difference is that there are many authors involved in creating a wiki, while usually only one creates a blog. I liked the link to the classroom wiki that a high school uses. Wiki's could be used in the classroom by allowing students to add to and edit ideas on particular subject. For instance, if my class was reading a novel I could create a wiki for them to collaborate on various aspects of that novel. Although this is a neat idea, however, I'm not sure I would really use it in the classroom. There are so many wonderful technological tools to choose from and I need to make sure I choose wisely. Perhaps, once I've been teaching for awhile, using a wiki in the classroom will be a tool that I choose.
Thing 14 - Go with the Flow
For this blog post I played around with Gliffy and Bubbl.us in an effort to create a flow chart and a mind map. The first application that I tried was Gliffy. This is a flowchart creator. I created a writing process flow chart using this application. It was pretty simple to use. I soon learned how to place shapes, color them, move them around and enter text in them. I was disappointed that there was no down arrow in the shapes. (If there is one, I was unable to find it.) My end result was a pretty basic looking flowchart. I attempted to save it but it required me to sign-up for a 30 day free trial. So I did not save it. I did look into the pricing for Gliffy and found it to be a bit steep for my purposes. A standard account is $4.95 a month and allows the user to create 200 diagrams with 200 Mb of storage. The Pro version is $9.95 a month and include unlimited diagrams and storage.
I then moved on to Bubbl.us to create a mind map. I liked this tool much better. I created another chart on the writing process. I liked how the bubbles could connect together in different ways and that I could move them around. I did not have to sign-up for a free trial in order to save my creation. I just had to sign-up for a free account. Ah, much better. So I did sign-up and I saved my little mind map.
As you can see, the bubbles change color to reflect their level on the map. I like how I was able to link some pre-writing strategies underneath the heading "Pre-writing". This chart turned out much better than my first one and with no obligation need by me to create. I love, love, love it. It would be a great tool to utilize for teaching.
I then moved on to Bubbl.us to create a mind map. I liked this tool much better. I created another chart on the writing process. I liked how the bubbles could connect together in different ways and that I could move them around. I did not have to sign-up for a free trial in order to save my creation. I just had to sign-up for a free account. Ah, much better. So I did sign-up and I saved my little mind map.
Thing 13 - Web Based Appllications
For this assignment I was to look at Zoho Writer and Google Doc's, compare them and tell how I might use them in the classroom. I downloaded Zoho Writer and gave it a go first. I was a bit disappointed in it. First of all, it isn't very clear what you are creating. I thought I was creating a document and it turned out I was creating a chat...I think. The title of my document was "Just Playing Around" so when I realized that it might be a chat topic I was a little concerned. I quickly went to figure out how to shut it down. Once I completed that task I did find the word processor and attempted to type something on it. I quickly learned that the word processor is very sub par. The cursor does not line up correctly. It was above the line I was actually on, and over a few spaces. So when I clicked on a word that I wanted to delete an tried to delete it other words were deleted instead. Not the best thing for a word processor to do. I made a note to myself to delete my account on Zoho and went to investigate Google Docs.
What is more frustrating than clicking on a link only to find out that it is outdated? That is how I felt when I clicked on the Google Docs link and was redirected (numerous times according to my browser history) to Google Drive. I then searched for Google Docs on Google in an effort to insure that I was accessing the correct application. I soon realized that I was, indeed. Google Docs had been updated and is now referred to Google Drive. Google Drive includes its own memory for any documents, spreadsheets, drawings, etc. that the user creates on it. The user is also able to save documents sent to them by other users. This drive can be accessed from numerous devices so that the user does not have to rely on one location to access information. Pretty cool.
I downloaded Google Drive and watched the video on it. I then looked through some of the things that one can create on it. They include documents, spreadsheets, forms, drawings and presentations. I decided to create a drawing and played around with some of the tools for a bit. Once it was clear that my artist abilities would not be shinning forth, I went on to create a quote on top of a picture. I found a quote that I liked, related to my field and then looked in Creative Commons for an image to add to it. Here is my end result:
After reviewing both Zoho and Google Docs it is clear that Google Docs (Drive) is a better choice to utilize in the classroom. Students can create and share easily thanks to Google Drive. Their creations can include word documents, drawings, spreadsheets and presentations. If they are working in groups, they can easily create documents and send them to other group members for review and collaboration. It can also be used to create assignments which can then be turned in to me via Google Drive for grading. Of course this is all dependent on the access students have to computers, but is a great possibility. I would definitely look into using Google Drive. or something similar, in my classroom.
What is more frustrating than clicking on a link only to find out that it is outdated? That is how I felt when I clicked on the Google Docs link and was redirected (numerous times according to my browser history) to Google Drive. I then searched for Google Docs on Google in an effort to insure that I was accessing the correct application. I soon realized that I was, indeed. Google Docs had been updated and is now referred to Google Drive. Google Drive includes its own memory for any documents, spreadsheets, drawings, etc. that the user creates on it. The user is also able to save documents sent to them by other users. This drive can be accessed from numerous devices so that the user does not have to rely on one location to access information. Pretty cool.
I downloaded Google Drive and watched the video on it. I then looked through some of the things that one can create on it. They include documents, spreadsheets, forms, drawings and presentations. I decided to create a drawing and played around with some of the tools for a bit. Once it was clear that my artist abilities would not be shinning forth, I went on to create a quote on top of a picture. I found a quote that I liked, related to my field and then looked in Creative Commons for an image to add to it. Here is my end result:
After reviewing both Zoho and Google Docs it is clear that Google Docs (Drive) is a better choice to utilize in the classroom. Students can create and share easily thanks to Google Drive. Their creations can include word documents, drawings, spreadsheets and presentations. If they are working in groups, they can easily create documents and send them to other group members for review and collaboration. It can also be used to create assignments which can then be turned in to me via Google Drive for grading. Of course this is all dependent on the access students have to computers, but is a great possibility. I would definitely look into using Google Drive. or something similar, in my classroom.
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