1. This technology course has offered so much learning for me. It has introduced me to
many tools I can use in the classroom and for my personal use. Though I found some
tools easy to use, others took time to explore. I am still learning how to be an efficient
technology user.
I assessed eight technology tools in which I listed some features of what each tool has
to offer. Also included is a brief description of my experiences exploring with these tools.
I rated the following technology tools using a scale from 1 to 5, five being excellent.
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Communication with instructors and classmates is easily done via email
or using the Moodle messaging system.
Variety of content from instructors are provided: audio and video
lectures, files such as pictures, presentations and links to other
websites.
Able to have discussion forums with classmates.
Can upload and submit assignments.
Includes a grade book to check your progress at anytime.
This tool provided numerous features to help keep me updated in the classes
I was taking in the university. When changes are made to assignments or
class schedules, the Moodle is the best way to get the information. The only
thing you need is a computer and internet connection.
Moodle Rating: 5 http://campus.uogdistance.com/login/index.php
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2. Free web browser
Advanced security
Browsing is easy and efficient
Browse multiple sites at once, each new site appears as a new tab (not
a new window)
Features include spell check, private browsing, tabbed browsing, one-
click bookmarking and many more
Has a Firefox Support Site if you need assistance
I have used web browsers such as Internet Explorer and Google Chrome and
I recently tried Safari a few times. It was only the latter part of last year that I
started using Mozilla Firefox. The big difference and probably the most
important for me is the speed. Through experience, Firefox has been fast,
safe and secure.
Firefox Rating: 5 http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/
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3. Can create documents, calendars, presentations and spreadsheets
Share your online documents
Contains blog searches
Contains image searches
For business use: online office tools for any size of business
For educational purposes: tools for educators and students at all levels
For personal use: gmail, calendars and more
This is one of my favorite tools! I say this because since I enrolled into this
technology class, I have had the opportunity to learn about this amazing tool
and all the extra things it had to offer. I only recently opened a gmail account
because it was a requirement for this class. One of my favorite features of
Google Apps is the shared document. It took me awhile to learn how to create
a document, so when I began sharing documents with my group members, I
felt a bit of accomplishment. The shared documents proved to be helpful when
doing group projects.
Google Apps Rating: 5 http://www.google.com/apps/index1.html
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Organize resources in a binder
Organize binder by tabs and subtabs
Can edit binders anytime
View links like pages in a book instead of URL's on a page
Saves time and is paperless
FREE
Livebinders is a great tool for teachers to put their resources together in one
place. This tool holds important information that can be edited at anytime. One
of my first assignments in technology class was to create a livebinder, being a
non-technology person I had a difficult time with this assignment. I had to
spend extra time learning how to use this tool.
LiveBinders Rating: 4 http://www.livebinders.com/welcome/learn_more
4. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Video chat room
Group video up to 12 people
Video call recording
Send video messages
Instant messages
Screen sharing
Send files
Available on desktop and mobile
Some services are free, other services have a fee
Oovoo is a web conferencing tool that allows people to video chat and send
instant messages at the same time. My group members and I used the Oovoo
tool to communicate when we were not able to meet face to face. We were
able to complete our assignment with the help of Oovoo. On the negative
side, we did have connection problems at times. The picture and sound were
sometimes unclear. Oovoo offers many features but some premium services
require a fee.
ooVoo Rating: 3 http://www.oovoo.com/FeaturesList.aspx
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5. Animation
Effective language tool
Website offers lesson plan ideas
Use as a motivation for learning
Create and customize your own character
Provides fun in learning
The Voki tool lets you create an avatar character using colorful animation and
various sounds. Your Voki character can be posted to any blog, website,
profile and be used in class presentations. This effective learning tool can
motivate students to participate and help them develop language skills and
comprehension in a fun way. Though Voki includes text to speech in over 25
languages, there are some words and names that are pronounced incorrectly.
Features for the Voki classroom management system for educators include a
15 day free trial.
Voki Rating: 4 http://www.voki.com/create.php
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Easy to use
Easy to import videos and photos
Easy to share with collaborators and friends
Smooth transitions from slide to slide
Free
6. Slide Rocket is an online presentation tool that allows you to do great class
presentations.
Though I have not yet used this tool in any of my projects, I did spend some
time exploring this tool. Like any other tool I explored, it took me awhile to
learn what the rocket can do. Automatic saving of work done is a plus. On the
downside, I did have some difficulty when I wanted to undo a certain slide. I'll
be exploring more about this tool because I am considering to use this for an
upcoming presentation at my workplace. Another great feature is it's free!
Slide Rocket Rating: 3.5 http://www.sliderocket.com/
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Website builder
Includes a variety of creative designs and templates
Customizable (style, color, text, background)
Drop and drag editor
User-friendly
Free, secure and reliable
Wix is a website builder and another great tool for doing presentations.
Creating a Wix account is easy if you just follow the given simple steps. This
tool provides a variety of creative designs and templates to choose from. I
was able to use this free tool for my group presentation. I was able to edit my
work and make changes with little difficulty. The steps to add tabs and images
were also easy, a user-friendly tool.
