Using Different Technology Tools

Moodle: When I first logged into Moodle, I really did not understand it. The log-in page was a bit confusing because there were so many titles to choose from, there are no help options, the graphics are a bit confusing such as the icons, and it would probably confuse students in the middle school level. I feel that the Moodle should be used for individuals who are a little more familiar with technology.

Google Applications: Using Google Applications is fairly user friendly in that it has a speedy log-in page, help topics are accessible, it is downloadable, and comprehendible to new users. The font and graphics are easily identifiable by new users and it possesses minimal pop-ups and advertisements. Information is easily lost if you are using doc sharing. You cannot press back or forward buttons because when you are using doc sharing it saves automatically. I feel that Google Applications are very useful in completing homework, providing students information, and sharing with colleagues. Google Applications are also very effective in communicating with classmates, teachers, and superiors. Google Applications is definitely an effective technology tool to use in the classroom.

Delicious: Using Delicious is fairly easy to navigate. Although you must constantly click to explore, there are help options readily available to assist in any way possible. Delicious does not have any pop-ups or advertisements, the graphics are comprehendible to new users, information is retrievable using the back/forward buttons. As a teaching tool students will benefit from using Delicious by having access to an abundance of information. Delicious will be beneficial to students when requiring research assignments. It is a great tool to use for the classroom and work so that you can share information with others.

Mozilla Firefox: This browser is fairly easy to use. It makes it a little difficult to get away from Internet Explorer, but once you get used to it, it becomes beneficial. Some may encounter several problems with Mozilla such as : logging in, and downloading. If you have restrictions on your computer, it will not allow you to download Mozilla. The good thing about Mozilla is that the font is easy to read, the graphics are great, it asks permission from the user every time the user wants to download something, information is retrievable using the back/forward buttons, and there is no pop-ups or advertisements unless the user gives Mozilla permission. The best thing I have found about Mozilla is the number of different tabs you can have at one time. That is why this technology tool is definitely useful in the classroom especially when doing group presentations, and group projects.

Tok Box: Tok Box is fairly easy to navigate, although it takes patience when navigating the different options it gives you, in the end it is worth having if there is no delay in the web conferencing you are performing. Tok Box does not have a speedy log-in page, users must wait a few minutes before Tok Box brings you to the actual web conferencing page. I have had a bad experience using Tok Box for web conferencing because the delay was horrible! Sending video messages via Tok Box is more effective and useful. I believe students would have fun using this technology tool because it encourages them to communicate more. Using Tok Box is also a good technology tool when teachers are trying to maintain the attention of the students. Using Tok Box will entice students to the content that the teacher presents.

Media Fire: Using Media Fire which is a place to store and save information is one of the technology tools I know I will definitely not forget how to use. Media Fire is so user friendly. All users need to do is sign-up for a user account and the rest is easy. Media Fire ensures that users will have access to their documents anywhere in the world. Back/forward buttons make user’s documents easily accessible, students of all ages are able to use this too because it’s just as easy as uploading a picture onto sites such as Myspace or Facebook. Educators can easily make this a part of the lesson especially if they know their students have access to the internet. There is no need for a thumb drive, external hard drive, CD Rom, or floppy disc; files are saved online.
The only downfall that I have found using online storage is that sometimes the sites shut down. The only way a user will know if an online storage is storage is shutting down is to constantly check it.

Slide Share: Slide Share is another technology tool that I enjoyed learning about and using. The help topics are easily accessible, it is easy to navigate, it is downloadable, minimal pop-ups and advertisements, comprehendible graphics, and easy to read font. The technology tool has also been made easy so that even students as young as 10 or 11 can use this tool to complete assignments that incorporate technology. Educators can share information with their students, colleagues, superiors as well as parents when using this tool. Slide Share is a great way of sharing information with a large number of people.

Blogs: I love using blogs. I think blogs are very easy to use, help topics are accessible, blogs are fairly simple to navigate, no downloading is necessary in order to access it, speedy log-in page, the graphics are fun and easy to read, and most of all it is a very convenient way to communicate with students, teachers, friends, and family. Blogs would be especially useful in the middle and high school areas because students at that age love to write about how they feel and they also like to express themselves. If a teacher introduces blogs to students, they would be very involved and engaged in this activity. Blogs are also especially great to use among educators in order to share information such as lesson plans, field trips information, conferences, workshops, etc. I would definitely recommend blogs to everyone.