Jing

Collaborative Writing

By: Jennifer Menees and Stacy Averill

Problems:
Some problems can arise with the use of collaborative document development:

1. In the instance of several editors having extreme differences of opinions. The document can become a constant changing battle.
   
2. Tagging the document as an administrator writes it is not possible. It adds another step to the process of saving the document and creates the issue of what and how to name the tags.
   
3. Internet access is required for google docs to be acquired and edited.
   
4. Google Docs works differently than other word processing documents and creates another program for uses to learn.
   
5. Due to the differences in formatting, companies that choose to use this type of collaborative writing would need to provide extra training for the editors. The training could present a problem if the editors are spread out around the world.
   
6. Users are required to sign up for google services, while these are free, it could create an issue with passwords and user names.
   

Promises:
As with many applications there are quite a few promises that go along with the program. For example:

1. You can have up to twelve people working on the same article at the same time.
   
2. It it convenient because it is very similar to Microsoft word.
   
3. Google docs allows people to edit and look at the document without downloading any other applications.
   
4. Quick access to your documents no matter where in the world you are.
   
5. Google docs is a free program for anyone to use.
   

Possible uses for administrators:
Administrator uses for google docs are plentiful.

1. Live polls with immediate results posted.
   
2. Links to chat rooms for discussion of topics relevant to administrators.
   
3. Allows administrators to ask a question and receive immediate feedback.
   
4. Home for documents/editors can create and collaborate on the document without having only one person keeping up with all the variations of the articles.

References:
Bylund, A. (2006). The pros and cons of central storage. Retrieved on February 16, 2009 from
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061107-8168.htm
Lynette. (2006). The Fun Times Guide. Retrieved on February 16, 2009 from
http://thefuntimesguide.com/2006/10 /google_vs_yahoo.php
Teacher Tube. (2008). Google Docs. Retrieved on February 16, 2009 from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaL9OKoPvPA

Online Image Editing

I decided to use Sumopaint. I feel this site is very similar to using Adobe Illustrator. Due to that reason I found it easy to use sumpaint. I created three different pictures and only used one tool to create each picture. I used the stamp, symmetry and paintbrush tool. Can you figure out which tool goes with what picture?

Sliderocket

This software was very useful. I think it would be great to use within the school system. It is so easy to view the slide show by going to a link or embedding it into a blog. This would take the worry out of not being able to send PowerPoints because the file to to large. The one thing I did not like was that it did not offer a lot of different font choices. Therefore, I took a screen capture of each of my slides. I then inserted them as a picture. Due to that I did not have to worry about readjusting the fonts, colors, and pictures. This made it simpler for me.

"How can a leader of instructional technology use a blog?"

I think there are several ways for a leader of instructional technology to use a blog. For example, the teacher could post assignments, homework, lessons, PowerPoints, etc. This is a quick and easy way to keep communication open between parents and teachers. I do also feel it would be beneficial to create a blog for the school. This would help keep parents up to date on things. Another great use for a blog is one for your grade level or team. This would be a quick and easy way to share information. Not only can you share the information, but it will always be at your finger tips. I feel blogs are beneficial. However, not enough people are comfortable using them right now.

Flowgram Presentation

Flowgram Presentation

I think the flowgram could be an effective teaching tool. However, the way I designed my PowerPoint it was a little difficult to add voice to it. The first slide needed me to explain that we were talking about mammals and to review what a mammal is. However, I feel adding voice to every slide in my presentation became redundant.

I do think the original images did somewhat portray things that I could not express. Just because the pictures were so beautiful. I think students would love to create their own flowgram presentation. This would be helpful for visual learners. I think it would also help students who were very shy and do not like speaking in front of the class. I am not sure if this will change the way that I PowerPoint in the future. I like being able to control the pace and in what direction the lesson will go in. With the flowgrm presentation your lesson is set for you.

Thing #21

I loved using Animoto. This was very easy and fast to do. I set up my account and was ready to go. I already had images loaded into Flickr so I just selected photos from there. The hardest part was selecting the music. Not because it was hard to do, but because it was hard to find the perfect song. I did not find the song, but I found something that I thought would work. I really enjoyed using this and will use it again.

Reflection

• What were your favorite discoveries or exercises on this learning journey?
• My favorite "things" were number 21, 8 and 9. I really enjoyed making and animoto video and will continue to do so. I think my students will really love it. I also enjoyed making the signs. Even though I got frustrated because some of them would not work. That helped me realize what my students may feel like in the same situations. I also really liked changing my images through the flickr toys. This one I will definitely continue to use. Not only in my personal life, but in my professional also. I have already showed my students some of the photos and they really loved it.
  

• How has this program affected your lifelong learning goals?
• This program has affected my lifelong learning goals dramatically. I know how important technology is. However, I did not realize how much it has changed. I had no idea about the vast amount of resources right under my finger tips. I will without a doubt continue to keep looking for fun and exciting ways to implement technology into my classroom.
  

• Were there any take-a-ways or unexpected outcomes from this program that surprised you?
• I was surprised at myself. When I first started this program I was nervous about doing it correct. But, as I continued through my thoughts shifted. It was no longer about right and wrong, it was about fun and discovery. It was about learning and becoming better at things I did not know existed. I throughout enjoyed this project.
  

• What could we do differently to improve upon this program’s format or concept?
• I don't think you need to do anything differently. I thought time would be a factor. However, I found myself staying up way to late just to finish. I got into the project and lost track of time.
  

• How will what you have learned influence your practice as a teacher?
• This will without a doubt effect me as a teacher. I have learned to put myself in my students shoes. They are constantly learning about technology and so should I. I need to be aware of the resouces available to me and utilize them.
  

• How do you plan to keep up with new developments in web 2.0? Recommend a way that you have found to be useful.
• I will keep up with web 2.0 through research. I will also use blogs and RSS feeds. I think the RSS feeds will be the most beneficial. I can track the things that I want to track and read them at my convience.
  

Thing #23

I have seen that video before so I was aware of the copyright laws that are out there. However, before that I did not completely know about them. I knew of them, but what they consisted of. I try my best to make sure I am not breaking any copy right laws when I use stuff from the Internet. I liked how in module 6 we were given sites to go to that were safe. I will be sure to utilize those sites from now on. I will also check for creative commons. I have not heard of that until now and I think it is great. I will use this in the future. This will allow others to use my work and possibly make it better.

I did see two places on the 23 things website showing that the idea was from another site. The first was at the bottom of the page in the right corner. It stated the following:

Learning 2.0 - 23 Things for Teachers is based on Learning 2.0 - 23 Things, a staff development program for the Mesquite Independent School District. That program was based on the Learning 2.0 program that was designed by Helene Blowers and adapted by the California School Library Association and others. Content and style for Learning 2.0 - 23 Things for Teachers has been borrowed and duplicated with permission, under a Creative Commons License.

The second place was at the bottom of thing 23. It stated the following:



This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

These two places helped me identify that the 23 things were created and modified from some other person's work.