A. I really enjoyed using Tapped In. I found the tour to be really fantastic. It was a very explanatory and informative experience. To be honest, when we were told to join Tapped In, I had no idea what it was, and still could not find much information or explanation on the site. I did not know where to go, what to use the site for, how to navigate, basically I knew nothing. The tour really helped me to understand many of the uses of Tapped In. It helped me to learn how to navigate, how to create my profile, how to join groups, how to get information about other users, and how attend different sessions on the calendar (although I had figured out that much so far, as I would not have been at the tour otherwise). Taking the tour was one of the best things I could have possibly done and when I have more free time I am going to do some of the other sessions on the calendar so that I can learn even more.
B. There were many valuable features on Tapped In in my opinion. The first one that I really enjoyed was the calendar area and being able to get the different tours and learning sessions. That is very beneficial for someone who needs to know more about Tapped In or more about other areas of the program. The second feature that I enjoyed was the library. It is full of a lot of resources and the best part is, the members are the people that add the resources. The last feature that I found very valuable was the group section. I have yet to look through a lot of the groups but I see how this could be very valuable for anyone wanting to discuss certain topics with others.
From what I could tell, I thought LearningTimes seemed like a pretty good site for professionals. It is kind of a learning center or hub for teachers, which is really beneficial and easy to use. As I am not a teacher, I do not personally have much use for it, but I think that teachers or professionals could really benefit from the live interviews, online discussions, live web chats, online conferences, and of course, networking!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Pretend there are plenty of computers in your classroom and they are all connected to the Internet
Describe what you think will be several of the most significant challenges you will face when using the Internet in the classroom.
There are numerous challenges that a teacher will face when using the Internet in the classroom. The first, and most concerning challenge for me would be making sure that all of the students are using their computers for educational purposes. Children today are so used to using their computers for fun and games at home and even at school, that I believe when it comes time to be use it ONLY for learning, there could be a significant problem.
The second challenge would be making sure that everything is done safely. The Internet is a very large and intimidating place, and children could easily find themselves swept up in a "fantasy" world. As the SafeKids website states, parents should get to know the services their child uses, well I feel that this is also true for teachers. If teachers stay current and up to date on what is popular and which websites are the most used by students in the age ranges of their students, it might be easier to combat the safety issue. Teachers can stress the safety precautions and explain what their students should and should not do. Anyone found to be in breach of the safety rules would be severely punished in order to make a point and show the other students that this is not acceptable behavior.
The third challenge would be plagiarism. Plagiarism is a very big problem with students and has been for years, and with such easy access to the Internet, the idea to plagiarize looks even more inviting and even less traceable. What many students do not realize is that there are many ways for teachers to check their work for plagiarizing. There are different types of software, and even easier, search engines that can quickly let a teacher know that the student's work has been plagiarized. Due to these rather simple methods of checking, this problem could become obsolete in a few years as these methods become more intricate.
There are numerous challenges that a teacher will face when using the Internet in the classroom. The first, and most concerning challenge for me would be making sure that all of the students are using their computers for educational purposes. Children today are so used to using their computers for fun and games at home and even at school, that I believe when it comes time to be use it ONLY for learning, there could be a significant problem.
The second challenge would be making sure that everything is done safely. The Internet is a very large and intimidating place, and children could easily find themselves swept up in a "fantasy" world. As the SafeKids website states, parents should get to know the services their child uses, well I feel that this is also true for teachers. If teachers stay current and up to date on what is popular and which websites are the most used by students in the age ranges of their students, it might be easier to combat the safety issue. Teachers can stress the safety precautions and explain what their students should and should not do. Anyone found to be in breach of the safety rules would be severely punished in order to make a point and show the other students that this is not acceptable behavior.
The third challenge would be plagiarism. Plagiarism is a very big problem with students and has been for years, and with such easy access to the Internet, the idea to plagiarize looks even more inviting and even less traceable. What many students do not realize is that there are many ways for teachers to check their work for plagiarizing. There are different types of software, and even easier, search engines that can quickly let a teacher know that the student's work has been plagiarized. Due to these rather simple methods of checking, this problem could become obsolete in a few years as these methods become more intricate.
Monday, February 18, 2008
How you are doing and feeling about what you have learned this week? Did the group experience help or hinder your learning experience?
I did good this week and learned a lot. Coming into this assignment I had no idea what a mashup was and now I do. I was quite familiar with online mapping but I did not know all of the details behind it as well as the information about GIS. It was very interesting to learn and I actually think these programs will be beneficial to me in many ways in the future.
I think the group experience in this instance was great. I am never usually a fan of group projects because I like to work alone. By working alone I feel that if I screw up then it is my own fault whereas in a group situation, if someone else screws up, it could change everything for everyone in the group and I don't like to rely on others to get my work done. However, I did like it in this case because everyone had their specific assignments and everything was pretty evenly divided so that everyone contributed to every question in their own way.
I think the group experience in this instance was great. I am never usually a fan of group projects because I like to work alone. By working alone I feel that if I screw up then it is my own fault whereas in a group situation, if someone else screws up, it could change everything for everyone in the group and I don't like to rely on others to get my work done. However, I did like it in this case because everyone had their specific assignments and everything was pretty evenly divided so that everyone contributed to every question in their own way.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Meeting In Second Life
What do you think about your experiences in SL?
What are the potentials and dangers for integrating this technology in education?
After meeting in Second Life or SL, I was very impressed. I already agreed with technology in the classroom, but after my experience in SL, I agree even more (if that's possible). This program is so unique and so versatile that it's potential is limitless. After learning how to move and use the search functions, it becomes very easy to use, and even fun!
There is limitless potential for this program in education. A high school teacher could use this program as a fun way for the class to meet or as an alternative option on days where in-school class is not possible. A college professor could use the program for the same purposes, but also as a way to meet for distance learning classes "in-person" without actually making people come onto campus.
While it is a wonderful program, there are numerous dangers for using SL in education as well. When using the Internet, the fear of safety with youths is always an issue in regards to predators. Another issue is people pretending to be someone they are not, for instance if someone is supposed to attend a class session and has someone else do it for them since nobody can tell who is on the other end of a computer. Another issue that is not so much a danger, but could affect using SL in the classroom, is that everyone does not necessarily have a computer readily available at home.
Although there are drawbacks to using this program (as there are with any other programs), the benefits far outweigh them as far as I'm concerned.
What are the potentials and dangers for integrating this technology in education?
After meeting in Second Life or SL, I was very impressed. I already agreed with technology in the classroom, but after my experience in SL, I agree even more (if that's possible). This program is so unique and so versatile that it's potential is limitless. After learning how to move and use the search functions, it becomes very easy to use, and even fun!
There is limitless potential for this program in education. A high school teacher could use this program as a fun way for the class to meet or as an alternative option on days where in-school class is not possible. A college professor could use the program for the same purposes, but also as a way to meet for distance learning classes "in-person" without actually making people come onto campus.
While it is a wonderful program, there are numerous dangers for using SL in education as well. When using the Internet, the fear of safety with youths is always an issue in regards to predators. Another issue is people pretending to be someone they are not, for instance if someone is supposed to attend a class session and has someone else do it for them since nobody can tell who is on the other end of a computer. Another issue that is not so much a danger, but could affect using SL in the classroom, is that everyone does not necessarily have a computer readily available at home.
Although there are drawbacks to using this program (as there are with any other programs), the benefits far outweigh them as far as I'm concerned.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
In What Ways Will The Evolution Of Web 2.0 Potentially Change The Educational Process? Will You Look Forward To These Changes? Explain Your Answer.
The evolution of Web 2.0 is definitely changing the educational process. Whether it is using blogs to assign homework and give notes, recording class sessions and making podcasts for absent students or just to have a copy of the class lecture on tape, or uploading/downloading videos on video exchange sites, Web 2.0 is here to stay, and in many ways it is for the best.
When I first started this class, while I did approve of technology in the classroom, I did not really feel like Web 2.0 (the entire genre of media exchanging) was necessarily appropriate in the education process, but the more that I have learned, the more that I realize that these technologies are a very useful addition to the education process. It not only forces students to interact more, but it is useful for students who might be shy or anti-social. These children can communicate with the class and make a significant contribution to the class without necessarily having to speak out.
I am actually looking forward to these changes as I think it is direction that the world is heading in, and the earlier children start getting used to these systems and programs, the better!!
When I first started this class, while I did approve of technology in the classroom, I did not really feel like Web 2.0 (the entire genre of media exchanging) was necessarily appropriate in the education process, but the more that I have learned, the more that I realize that these technologies are a very useful addition to the education process. It not only forces students to interact more, but it is useful for students who might be shy or anti-social. These children can communicate with the class and make a significant contribution to the class without necessarily having to speak out.
I am actually looking forward to these changes as I think it is direction that the world is heading in, and the earlier children start getting used to these systems and programs, the better!!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Podcasting in Education
I see a lot of value in podcasting in education. While it might not be appropriate all of the time, using podcasts for students that have missed classes or for students that are ill and will not be in class for a while are perfect reasons for podcasts in the classroom. These podcasts could be emailed to the students and they could view or listen to them from home, thereby keeping up with the class. If emailing them was not an option, the student could view them at school once they returned. So, yes, I do actually think podcasting could be very beneficial in the classroom setting.
My First Podcast
Wow, so after days and days of not being able to get my mic to work, I FINALLY got it done today with a little help from my friends at Dell. That said, it was kind of fun to make the podcast, not something I will probably do often (except maybe in this class), but fun nonetheless. So, here it is....
Click here to get your own player.
Click here to get your own player.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Two Pictures From Flickr
TWO OF MY FAVORITE MUSIC ARTISTS: CHRIS BROWN AND RIHANNA, pic originally posted by monokoroboo_loveyaxxx 
MY FAVORITE BAND: MAROON 5, pic originally posted by möиhsí
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
My First Blog
So, this is not actually my first blog, but in the capacity of this course and this site, it is my "first" blog, lol.
Even after investigating blogging and contemplating the pros and cons of it, I do not really know that I would use it in a work or educational environment. While it can be fun and even useful, I don't know that it provides anything that the common email or discussion board cannot in regards to a class or work environment. And while I do understand the reasoning behind educational blogging as described on the websites provided, I just don't think that blogging is necessarily the best way to go. In some classroom settings it might work well, especially with older students, but with the younger ones, I am not so sure. There is so much danger over the Internet and cyberspace that it would scare me to have my elementary schools students blogging on the Internet. Older children might fare better with this, but for younger students, I am not fond of the idea.
Well I am feeling a bit under the weather so I thought I would get this done and out of the way before I took some cold medicine and laid down for a bit.
So now that this is done, that is exactly what I am going to do. Have a good day!
Even after investigating blogging and contemplating the pros and cons of it, I do not really know that I would use it in a work or educational environment. While it can be fun and even useful, I don't know that it provides anything that the common email or discussion board cannot in regards to a class or work environment. And while I do understand the reasoning behind educational blogging as described on the websites provided, I just don't think that blogging is necessarily the best way to go. In some classroom settings it might work well, especially with older students, but with the younger ones, I am not so sure. There is so much danger over the Internet and cyberspace that it would scare me to have my elementary schools students blogging on the Internet. Older children might fare better with this, but for younger students, I am not fond of the idea.
Well I am feeling a bit under the weather so I thought I would get this done and out of the way before I took some cold medicine and laid down for a bit.
So now that this is done, that is exactly what I am going to do. Have a good day!
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