The near future
I’m sure all of us have run across a lot of articles, websites, etc, about technologies on the near horizon, so I thought I would create a thread for us to share some of them.
This is a blog called Ideas and Thoughts from an Ed Tech. Lots of musings. http://ideasandthoughts.org/
Another favorite: http://www.weblogg-ed.com/ A lot of ideas about reading and writing on the web and how it will affect students.
I’ve been trying to figure out how to keep up with all the articles I’ve been finding also, and been experimenting with a few websites that might be helpful if you haven’t tried them.
Furl, Delicious, and Google all have capabilities to store your links online, so no matter what computer you are using, you can add websites to your lists and organize them.
Google’s is called Google Notebook and is probably the most traditional looking. You can create sections or subjects so you can visually organize your links. (You can find Google notebook under the “more” button under Google Labs.)
Del.icio.us also allows you to save your links online, but it organizes them by “tags” or subjects that you designate and group together. It’s a little more nontraditional, but the “tags” allow you to set up keyword type searching for your articles. You can install a button on your Internet Explorer toolbar, and just click on it to add a site to your list of links. www.del.icio.us
I haven’t experimented with Furl yet, but the idea is similar. http://www.furl.net/
One unique advantage to these is that you can keep your links “private” or make them “public” or parts of them, and share with others. So you could compile a list of links and share it with the whole committee. Food for thought!
So share any articles here that have struck your fancy lately…and let’s talk!
October 12, 2006 @ 11:32 am
I read a magazine called “Campus Technology” that is put out for Universities and Colleges discussing the trends and trades for technology. They share the resources the use. One thing I found in this most recent magazine was the trend to use more Instant Messenging programs in schools.
http://www.horizonwimba.com/products/pronto/
Pronto is a free IM program that connects to the college campus Student Information Management software and allows kids in classes to setup their class groups in their buddy lists.
I already know that our IS system will not allow IM to work on our campus due to the virus threat but there are IM systems out there that are more secure.
More and more articles are starting to point out a new trend that people in business are moving away from email and toward Instant Messenging only because email is now too slow to wait for a response.
What do you think about Instant Messenging in schools?
October 12, 2006 @ 12:41 pm
We used to have a program here–We were part of a grant with U.T. and Travis High School called Project Circle. Melinda Darrow and Scott Gardner and I were some of the participants. We used FirstClass software which had a discussion board and chat feature. I think U.T. may still use this, but I’m not sure. This was in the early 90’s, so I know the software is still out there! It allowed users who were signed on to have a classroom chat, post to discussion boards, etc.
The teacher would assign the subject for “discussion” and as part of the grant, each classroom had six computers so students could chat in small groups.
It really made for an incredible tool. The teachers participating had quite a bit of training on how to use small pods of computers in the classroom.
So I am all for it!
October 13, 2006 @ 8:29 am
I just read an email about Google for Educators: http://www.google.com/educators/index.html
This site breaks down the use of Google tools for classroom educators. It goes over how Google Earth is used, how Sketchup can be used, and other tools. But the real interesting thing they have going is offering their first “Google Certification for Teachers”. Currently it is only open to North California teachers as it is their first attempt.
They offer a one-day Academy to showcase their tools and generate hands-on experiences from the teachers.
Very cool indeed!
October 13, 2006 @ 9:25 am
Joel–
That is cool. I had thought maybe in our little workshops we could do a couple on Google tools, so this would be helpful! Maybe we can snag a Google trainer to come here and do a test run in Texas
–Carolyn
October 14, 2006 @ 10:58 pm
Today I have seen 2 different faces to the blog. I liked the blue one before better but that’s just me. Perhaps a blog comment topic on which look is better?
This is Joel by the way!
October 14, 2006 @ 11:23 pm
Thanks for the feedback Joel. I’ve been playing with templates, trying to figure out what is readable, and that shows the other pages nicely, and (also looks slick). I’m going to try the green one next!
I liked the blue one earlier as well!
–Carolyn
October 16, 2006 @ 10:43 pm
I found a new surprise today – yackpack.com – its blocked at school now but I am working on getting it unblocked because I think its something we can use.
Its blogging audibly!
In YackPack, we create a group of “yakkers” and we can record a digital audio conversation. The conversation can be archived and linked to a website so people can listen to your Yack discussion.
Free too.
So, we keep talking about all this cool stuff. Let’s do something with it. What if we did a Yackpack interview where one person interviews someone else and keeps the yackpack online?
The Yackpack discussion can then be embedded on our whschaps.com website for ANYONE to hear!
I am setting up a YackPack tonight!
October 17, 2006 @ 1:06 am
I just spent only five minutes with the YackPack you set up and my mind is reeling with all the possibilities! IT is very cool and very easy to use!
Let’s do something with it, definitely!
Let’s see how it can be a tool to help us with this committee, too!!
November 8, 2006 @ 11:39 am
I am learning about this web 2.0 stuff and trying it out. How will you manage the large number of students needing/wanting to post to a blog? – Do you have to enter users and passwords to controll the content? Is there a way to use a database of info on students to allow or disallow access?
Reba
November 8, 2006 @ 11:53 am
Reba,
There are various ways to manage that. Also, edublogs has a site called LearnerBlogs that you might want to check out too.
In Edublogs, here are the things you can do to control the posts a little bit:
1. Log in. Under Options, select the button that users must be registered.
The big downside of this for students is that each one of them has to create an account on edublogs, so I wouldn’t recommend that route.
2. Log in. Under options, select the subcategory called “Discussions.”
This tab displays in a long bar underneath the Options area. Once you click on Discussions, make sure every box on that page is checked.
That will cause edublogs to email you whenever a new post is made asking you to approve it. It won’t post it until you approve the comment.
This would probably be the better option. It just asks students to fill in their name and email when they post, but they can just put their first name.
I hope that helps! I’m putting more tips on my blog for the library also–www.futura.edublogs.org–if you want some ideas! Also..I’m thrilled to see you are blogging! Thanks for joining in! Carolyn