Over the course of my
ED271 experience, it turned my life upside down because of all the new
technology tools I was exposed to and the ones that I was familiar with I got a
greater understanding. This course had really broadened my ways of presenting
as a student and a future educator. The
tools that I assessed were Moodle, Google Chrome, Google Apps, LiveBinders,
Wix, Powtoon, ooVoo, and Spaaze.
I have rated them according to this scale:
This technology tool has a variety of features that are all free. One of the Google Apps that is so versatile is called "Google Drive". Google Drive allows you to access your documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and files that are shared with you anywhere, anytime (Allen, 2014). Google Apps gets better because it not only has a drive but it is linked to 3 other sites. These sites are YouTube, Blogger, and Google Hangouts. Having these 3 sites link to my Google accounts saves me from having 3 different usernames and passwords.
2. Google Chrome
Google Chrome is one of many web browsers that is available to download for free. This web browser has so many attractive features that will want you to make it your default browser. It has one of the largest libraries of extensions, add-ons, and built-in applications that enhances the browser's ability to do what you want it do (Popp, 2012). Google Chrome's layout has one of cleanest, organized, simple user interface. It upholds Google's reputation of innovation and industry dominance. I like Google Chrome because it is compatible and remarkably fast.
LiveBinder is your 3-ring binder on the web that holds all your resources. Though this is my first time using LiveBinders, one of the reasons why I use it and will continue to use throughout out my education career is that its available 24/7. On LiveBinder you can collect and curate resources that includes websites, documents, movies and photos into tabs or sub-tabs(Stallings, 2014). LiveBinder is my go-to site when I want to bookmark websites that I want to save for future use or reference. This technology tool you can combine uploaded PDFs and Word documents with links in one binder. The best thing about this LiveBinder is it is PAPERLESS!!
4. PowToon
PowToon brings your presentations alive with all the animations and effects. This technology tool is the best way to get creative with pre-made templates for presentations, demonstrations, introduce a lesson, and show your syllabus to your students. PowToon is a drag-and-drop video creation solution that is easy and fun to use. I believe that PowToon can be used for all students and subjects. This tool will make your students absorb the information that is presented because its entertaining.
ooVoo is one of many video conferencing tools that I was introduced in ED271. This is the world's largest, independent application. It is a video chat and messaging application. With ooVoo you can video chat with up to 12 people at a time. You can send text, pictures, video messages and many more. This technology tool is packed with amazing features and one of the features that I liked about this application is you can share your desktop with the people you are video chatting with. This tool will be great for my classroom so students can video chat with the class if they are absent for the day.
University of Guam created this Moodle site for a virtual learning environment. This provides a central space on the web for students and professors to meet and communicate. The features and functions of Moodle is geared towards the student learning (Michle, 2013). For some classes at UOG, Moodle is used for online classes. The professor creates a page for their class and students can view the syllabus, turn-in assignments, take quizzes and exams, and their grades. For students who use Moodle for their online classes, it teaches them to be independent and diligent to check daily on their course(s).
7. Spaaze
Spaaze is not just a cork board to put your sticky notes on. This technology tool offers different items that you can put on this virtual cork board. On this virtual cork board you can bookmark and snippets for sites, have a running list of tasks, use it for idea collections, education purposes, and brainstorm. I use Spaaze because its free, collect information, self-organize, and you can share your ideas. As a future educator, I will use Spaaze for my lesson plans, parent newsletters, and collaborative teaching.
8. Wix
Wix is my go-to site in building a website. This tool offers visually impressive layouts that are designed for anything whether its for marketing, personal, education, blogging, online stores, or restaurants. The designs and layouts look professional and can viewed on mobile devices.It is user-friendly and easy to navigate through each tabs. Wix's designs are always up-to-date with the latest design trends.
These are one of the many tools that I learned from this course that I hope to use in my classroom one day. Goodbye Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel! Welcome to the latest technology tools that you can use for presentations.
References:
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Allen, J. (2014). 4 Reasons to Use Google Drive. CoolHead Tech. http://www.coolheadtech.com/blog/4-reasons-to-use-google-drive
Hi:
ReplyDeleteEXCELLENT!
-j-