BP14_GoogleDocsDrawing

What's the point?

Google Docs Drawing allows users to collaborate, chat and draw. Although there are endless possibilities, I’ve found this tool most relevant for brainstorming group ideas. My group members and I are able to draw flow charts and add images that visually represent what we plan to do for projects.

The chat feature allows us to communicate during our drawing session and adds a personal touch to online, distant usage. I also find this drawing tool really effective for its ability to save your drawings as picture files such as jpeg or giff. This not only enhances group collaboration online but it also enhances group productivity. Truly an amazing work tool.

BP13_GoogleDocsDrawing

As students, business professionals and educators, we often have teams and groups that we must effectively work and communicate with. We have common goals to reach and deadlines to meet. Then there comes that daunting moment of agreement, the actual process of choosing our topic, outcome, or idea. It gets extremely hard when you have distance between members and schedule conflicts. So Google Docs, the most amazing collaboration tool has presented yet another tool that serves its awesomeness. Google Docs Drawing! Now teams have a place to begin the brainstorming process-together!

So what makes the drawing feature different than a traditional email? I’m glad you asked because this drawing feature allows users to chat online, edit and save work, and add other collaborators to the project. So meetings can really become productive meetings with members working on the same document. The drawing feature can definitely make our lives a little easier. Collaborate, Communicate, DRAW!

BP12_GoogleDocsDrawing

This video is an introduction video to the tool Google Docs Drawing. Enjoy!

BP11_OMM_Edublogs

Edublogs is a blog site designed for teacher and students. It's a great way to use blogging in a more controlled environment.

BP10_Link to Bryan's Blog

Follow this link to see my comments on Bryan's blog. He discovered a great Web2.0 tool.

BP9_Comments on June's Blog

Follow my link to see my comments about the Web 2.0 tool June discovered.

BP8_Edublogs

Since I've been enrolled in Education Media Design & Technology at Full Sail University, I've discovered and explored a long list of great Web 2.0 tools. I've learned from my instructors and peers many ways to enhance teaching, training or instruction through technology. I've really taken an interest in blogging and video blogging and have incorporated it into my curriculums. 

I encourage blogging in the classroom and other programs to allow all students to actively participate in contributing to a group project. I want the blogs to be the student’s brainchild. It will become something that they come in wanting to do and something they can be proud of.

The Web 2.0 tool I plan to use for my students is Edublogs. Edublogs is a free blogging site that allows teachers and other professionals to set up blogging sites that can be controlled. I no longer have to think about the unfiltered blogging communities that exist because this tool is strictly for educators, students and professionals. Edublogs is safe and reliable with its privacy setting and options and student friendly with its user interface. The advantage of this tool is the exploration of other school blogs to get ideas and discover how well other students respond to blogging. I plan to allow my students to check out other schools blogs for ideas. I eventually want to link some communication between distant students with my students through blogging. I also think blog collaboration would be a cool idea as well.

Edublogs allows educators to incorporate blogging into teaching and instruction. It offers features such as posting pictures, video and other media and can be used for a number of activities and/or assignments. Overall, Edublogs is a great blogging site that’s designed specifically for education.

BP7_Smilebox

I've finally found a reliable and creative answer not only for my personal use but for classroom use as well. Smilebox is such a neat tool that allows me to give my students a creative outlet for their video blogs and photos. I've included scrapbooking into our year end activities and Smilebox is the perfect tool for that. I've purchased the premium subscription and have already began printing works of wonders. I look forward to incorporating this tool into my AR  Project and overall curriculum. I hope this commercial and example of the beauty of Smilebox encourages you to try it.

Smile.

 

BP6_Comments to Jonnika's Blog

Follow this link to see my comments to Jonnika's Blog.

BP5_Comment to Jen Alman's Blog

Follow this link to read my comment to Jen Alman's Blog

BP4_Smilebox

If you’ve ever wondered what to do with all the pictures on your camera that eventually gets dumped to your computer, then look no further. In our digital age the processed or printed picture has become a rare commodity. Our technological advances allow us to upload and store all of our memories. Well, instead of just storing them, there is an excellent Web 2.0 tool that will allow you a creative output for your pictures.

Smilebox is a Web 2.0 tool that allows users to digitally create scrapbooks, greetings, slideshows, collages and more. This site provides creative design templates where you can upload photos or videos to create a polished final product. Smilebox does offer a free service to users where they can access basic designs and then email and post their creations to various social networks. The paid services allow users to do a few more things such as access advertising-free designs, save as jpg files and burn to DVD. Smilebox gives users an option between there basic services and premium services where you can either pay a $5.99 fee monthly or pay a $39.99 fee yearly. The premium services are more flexible allowing you access to unlimited ad-free designs that you can save, print, email, record as movies and lots more. 

Overall, all of these features allow users to enhance the overall look and feel of any picture, collage, greeting or album. I especially like Smilebox because users are allowed to put video clips into really cool templates. As I incorporate video blogging into my curriculum, I think this really benefits the student’s videos by giving them life and allowing them to be presentable for any class or situation. Smilebox allow simple pictures and videos to become beautiful keepsakes.

BP3_Twingr

Twingr is a Web 2.0 tool that allows users to create communities for personal microblogging. So what exactly is microblogging? Just like blogging, microblogging has the same concept just in a smaller context. It's a term for social communication that allows users to create shorter blogs that can be as simple as and update of what you’re doing. Twitter has become a mainstream microblogging tool that has connected various people through application availabilities on cell phones, ipads, and other wireless devices. 

The new Web 2.0 tool Twingr is very similar to Twitter but it give the user an opportunity to set up their very own community, email, and direct messages to members of that community. This tool can be very useful and different from traditional twitter because it allows you to have control of the members who can join your community.  Educators can send updates and messages to a group or class of students after school time hours. Students are also able to connect with their classes and programs for updates as well as just to stay connected to their peers through another medium. 

This is a Web 2.0 tool that I plan to use with my Action Research. I want to connect my after school program students through Twingr to explore how effective social media will be for our program outside of the program. I think my students will catch on quickly to a program as such and have a lot of fun because it’s so similar to Twitter.

My personal uses for Twingr will include me sending out updates of materials and proper attire to wear to the next day of our program. I will also be able to send an update reminding our students of field trips and special events coming up for the week. I plan to make sure our students are connecting with other students who may be interested in the program. Twingr will serve as a communications hub that will be accessible outside of school so our students can stay up to date on all reminders and announcements. 

BP2_iGoogle Screen Shots

BP1_GoogleReader

Afterschool Alliance consists of non-profits, schools, and private programs that insure that people are aware of the need for afterschool programs. They also provide great information on how to locate programs, fund programs and even how to start your own program. This site is relevant to me because I’ve acquired a great bulk of information about my afterschool program as well as other great resources that are beneficial for my students.

 http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/index.cfm

Ning Blog

The social networking site Ning allows users to create profiles, email accounts, blogs, and updates and allows members to join your page and interact with your organization or group. I currently incorporate Ning into one of my programs and found the Ning Blog to be very beneficial because it provides updates and tech changes that Ning have put in place. The blog will allow me to stay updated on the changes I need to make to better assist my students social networking.

 http://blog.ning.com/

ThinkingMachine is a great wiki resource that provides different information about teaching and technology. The links each lead to a different wiki page that provides more detailed information about various topics. I especially like the Think Social Networking for Education page because it provides information about social networks used in learning. I am looking forward to incorporating social networks into my curriculum as well as exploring the topic more for my Action Research.

http://thinkingmachine.pbworks.com/

Beyond the Box is the name of the Blog through @ITVS, which stands for the Independent Television Service. I frequently show my students documentaries that this site offers. I like most that I’ve found videos and interviews on some of the directors of those films through their blog. I can now have a greater insight about the films before I show them for viewing.  The site also provides resources for independent filmmakers such as funding initiatives and ideas.

http://beyondthebox.org/2010/06/

Edutopia serves as a resource that covers multiple aspects of education. Educators share strategies and techniques that work best for them.  This site is relevant to me because I’ve found great articles that talk about social networking integration into classroom teaching. I think I can learn a great deal from Edutopia articles, blogs, and videos. 

http://www.edutopia.org/how-use-social-networking-technology