FAVORITE TECH TOYS SHARED WITH PEERS

            In week three, Carolyn H introduced Microblogging, http://ehis.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/eds/detail?vid=10&sid=6e486bfe-6559-42c4-8abcbf937f151292%40sessionmgr111&hid=110&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#db=bth&AN=45162184, which she described as a short form of blogging. I like this use of technology because it really is a quick way of finding out if the content of the conversation is something of pinterest (content sharing that allows you to "pin" additional content to the subject board or to your own). I would use Microblogging for research because it is much easier and faster to seek out data on the internet, and then go back to one place you have placed all of your interest, in order to create your reference page or recover your citations.

            Also in week three, Carolyn offered LinkedIn, http://press.linkedin.com/about, which is a site I already knew about and currently use, but had to endorse again because this site keeps you connected to your career path. However, it works well in finding a new direction also. During my unemployment, people knew where to find me, reviewed my skills, and called upon me. When I became discouraged with the job hunt, I signed up for classes in different fields to test my comfort level and desire for change. My latest journey through LinkedIn led me to my new job as the HR Manager in the Houston Independent School District. Not only the job in my field of HR, but I am supporting educators and children. I would encourage anyone to use the service because of the exposure and connectivity it offers.

            DecisionSim (http://decisionsimulation.com/#&panel2-1), offered by Linda K was another of my favorite tech tools. I enjoy activities that have a high level of engagement and reality. I feel learning is enhanced in an environment that helps you forget you are learning and quickly becomes second nature. This particular tools encourages decision-making and problem solving, two elements that I certainly want my doctors and nurses to have when assessing my condition and determining my treatment or recovery plan. In a less critical function, I could see using DecisionSim in a call center coaching environment when practicing how to diffuse irate callers; sometimes your first response is a deal breaker that changes the tone of the conversation. I would also use DecisionSim when working with globally missed teams. Since the simulation is reality based, the use of colloquialisms in a cross-cultural training group is usually something that slows the class down; however, with this type of simulation practice and testing, users will see how the cultural barriers can collapse when we start speaking the same language.

 

Week 7 DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

Digital Citizenship

            The brief narration from Miss Del Regno in the video produced by SchoolTube is a more of public service message that helps us understand that without visas, immigration, or homeland security, and without even a code of conduct agreement, the internet has granted us keys to the world, and with that, we should be responsible. Roblyer and Doering followed with a long list of netiquette, that could have been one line; treat others, the way you want to be treated.  

            Users also forget that in most instances, we have been given these freedoms free; which I feel is another netiquette that we take advantage of. If we had to pay for Facebook or twitter, half of the unnecessary negative commentary would be eliminated. Without going too far into Sally Bradley’s abstract, I knew I had experienced netiquette failure and recovery during an outsourcing project. While working virtually with teams from Bangalore and another from the Philippines, it was clear that North Americans have a tendency to jump into conversation without even a proper hello. The Europeans and Asians prefer to acknowledge salutations then get to the matter at hand. The same level of respect must apply when speaking to the whiteboard on Facebook, or the tiny window of your phone, yet we forget, or neglect to use proper netiquette and blame it on the 140-character rule.

BRIGHTHUB - http://www.brighthub.com/education/online-learning/articles/26946.aspx#imgn_0

The course speaks to elements we learned about communicating in person such as being friendly and positive, and using proper language and titles. Refraining from colloquialisms still applies to online netiquette, especially when working with global teams.  

THE INTERNET ROADMAP - http://www.pce.uw.edu/resource.aspx?id=4425

Another good source for learning netiquette rules

Source: These guidelines were adapted from those submitted by members of AOLIN (Australian Open Learning In-formation Network), from "The Internet Roadmap," an Internet training course by Patrick Crispen and from The Net: User Guidelines and Netiquette by Arlene Rinaldi.

• Posting

Come forward and share your thoughts with the group. Keep your questions and comments relevant to the focus of the discussion group.

• Subject Line

Be sure the subject line reflects the topic, and be as succinct as possible. Many readers determine from the subject line whether or not to read the message. If you're starting a new topic, be sure to start a new message.

If you start a new topic by replying to a message, readers won't be able to find your message since you will be writing under the old topic.

• Length of Message

If possible, try to restrict a message to a screen; two screen pages are still tolerable. Brevity is a virtue since reading long text on the screen can be tiresome for both the eye and mind.

• Writing Style

Use short sentences and simple English. Avoid rambling running prose with complex syntax and a multitude of coordinate and subordinate clauses. Capitalize words only to highlight an important point or distinguish a title or heading. *Asterisks* surrounding a word also can be used to make a stronger point. Capitalizing whole words that are not titles is generally read as SHOUTING and is not acceptable Netiquette.

• Spacing

Neat, meaningful spacing can ease mental processing. Try this:

·         Have short paragraphs separated by a blank line rather than long paragraphs with a tab indent for the first line

·         Put questions on separate lines rather than stringing them together in one paragraph. This makes it easier for people to annotate or answer them.

• Numbered Items

Ideas and arguments are clearer if presented in point form; if they are numbered as well, it will make cross referencing even easier.

• Spontaneous or Considered Response

While much can be said in praise of spontaneity, if you are dealing with a sensitive or controversial topic, give yourself a little more time to reflect on the arguments and counterarguments, then compose a considered response that you will not regret afterwards. Remember that electronic documents travel fast, get reproduced easily, and live long in people's files.

• Wit and Humor

A small and occasional dose of wit and humor does wonders for a discussion that is beginning to take itself too seriously, and can also break the ice for a discussion with a hesitant start. Too much clowning around and too many flippant jokes or remarks, however, can be irritating and offensive to most people. Be careful when using sarcasm and humor. Without face-to-face communications, your joke may be viewed as criticism.

• Etiquette and Protocol

If you want to acknowledge and thank people for their comments on your views, do so privately rather than publicly. Most important, resist the temptation to "flame" (lambaste or criticize antagonistically) others. Remember that online discussions are meant for constructive exchanges. Treat other forum participants as you would want them to treat you. A good rule of thumb is to wait 24 hours before responding to any message you perceive as a flame. You may see it differently later.

I would use and recommend both of these options because they are easy to use and provide brief factual examples of what to do, or not do when communicating virtually or publically on the web. No one wants to read a 50 page how to manual on anything, so the short, precise rules that you can print and post near your keyboard is a perfect reminder of something should become second nature after some practice.

References

Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2010) Netiquette: Rules of behavior on the Internet.

Retrieved from http://www.education.com/reference/article/netiquette-rules-behavior-internet/

SchoolTube (Producer) & Del Regno, M. (Director).  (2011) Digital citizenship [Video file].

Retrieved from http://www.schooltube.com/video/c31905a60541e87e2c2a/Digital-Citizenship (approximate length: 3 minutes)

Week 6: Open Learning Technology

Learning Technology

Open Education for the Teacher http://lessoncast.org/

This app is for bringing the global instructors, facilitators, and teachers together to create and share lesson plans in four easy steps. Setup, register, design and finally evaluate and publish. The purpose is to create a digital demonstration of a teacher’s ability to plan and create effective learning experiences. Eventual each participant’s contributions create a learning library for the teachers.
Teaching candidates are able to:
- Create digital artifacts to show ability to plan and implement effective learning experiences.
- Demonstrate understanding of discipline-specific critical concepts.
- Design formative and summative assessment measures.
- Record reflection and growth in instructional decision-making.

Open Education for the Learner http://www.studyblue.com/

Study Blue – Learn From Others, Teach Yourself

“Imagine your smartphone as your primary source for study materials. This company has created an app that allows students to organize their coursework, store notes, and flashcards, and share their materials with other students. The social aspect also helps students find other people studying similar subjects, capitalizing on a different set of notes and study guides.”

Open Education in the News
Arne Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education spoke about why open education matters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaJ7rAwBhbY&feature=player_embedded

References

LessonCast. (2013). Next generation teacher preparation. Retrieved from LessonCast: http://lessoncast.org/

Study Blue. (2013). Retrieved from Study Blue: http://www.studyblue.com/

Thinkfinity. (2013, January 15). 15 Education technologies to check out in 2013. Retrieved from Thinkfinity: http://www.thinkfinity.org/groups/k-12-education-technology-in-the-classroom/blog/2013/01/14/15-education-technologies-to-check-out-in-2013

 

Week 5 Learning Games and Sims



Lumosity Brain Training

(www.lumosity.com)

Lumosity is something I could talk about for hours; I get very excited thinking about all the challenges available, how I can challenge others and simply finding a fun way to continuously test and track my skill in a fun playful environment.



Lumosity is a website that offers brain games to help learners think faster, concentrate better, solve tougher problems, remember more, boost confidence, and improve cognitive control.

Yes, it requires a subscription but picture doing this with your family instead of board game on an actual board! Please check out the site, if not only for the free samplings of learning games, at least for the challenge.

Web Courseworks - A novice blogger, blogging about a blog!

Web Courseworks is a full-service eLearning company that provides games and simulation based learning. “Researchers generally agree that games and simulations can engage the learner using the game mechanics of strategy, resource management, simulation and power fantasy, immersion, storyline, context, character embodiment, and physical experimentation.” (Web Courseworks, 2013) These are all the elements we discuss throughout the Adult Learning degree program, finding different styles of learning for different types of learners, and bringing it all together. This site is amazing and even better still, you don’t just play around, they can help you design games and Sims for training, or design it for you. They also have a great discussion blog about other eLearning activities.

References

Web Courseworks. (2013, April 3). Game and Simulation Based Learning. Retrieved from

Webcourseworks.com: http://www.webcourseworks.com/custom-learning/games-and

simulations/overview

Week 4 Mobile Learning Technologies

Mobile Learning Technologies for 21st Century Classrooms

e-Readers

An e-reader would be my first mobile education technology because it is essentially a library on the go. Downloading books from casual reading to research is easy, always accessible, and very user friendly. This product works just like if you go to the library for a book, except they are never out of stock or out of print. You can borrow, share, purchase or print.

PDAs

Although a bit dated, I’m still a fan of the Personal Digital Assistance (PDA), especially for students. The Personal is the selling point because you can store your due dates, assignment alerts, and deadlines on the same device you do your research and complete the assignment.

“You can use the dictionary and thesaurus on Dictionary.com, explore the world with Google Earth, or plot equations with Quick Graph. Download the Kindle app and turn your iPod into an e-reader, create your own stories with Story Kit, and find out about the latest space missions with the NASA app. These, and many others, are free downloads that are ideal for educators to use with their students in school.” (Wylie, 2012)

a recent study funded by the Department of Education, looked at the link between learning, and the PBS Kids educational gaming app, Martha Speaks Dog Party. The study found that after children had used the app every every day for two weeks, the vocabulary of Title 1 children between three and seven years old improved by as much as 31 percent. (Wylie, 2012)

Reference

Wylie, J. (2012). Mobile Learning Technologies for 21st Century Classrooms. Retrieved from Scholastic: http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3754742

LECTORA - Not the Lecture You Expected

For standardization and assessment, the tool is Lectora. The eLearning software is very flexible in its design and operation, can be modified in production without going back through technology packaging, and most important, the tests can be added to the end of each learning module, and the results of each module can be merged to create the final instead of recreating similar questions on a new final exam. The absolutely fantastic option with the Lectora eLearning software is that the entire training, including quizzes and assessments can be saved and stored in the employees files AND IT REQUIRES NO PROGRAMMING!. Essentially, the learners’ success is packaged once the course is over, and available for his or her review, or even on their desktop outside of training, as a personal reference guide.
Please view the Lectora demo which features the Camtasia suite.  http://youtu.be/GQA2jli0uso

GOOGLE CIRCLES

This explains it all http://youtu.be/oRxKUXJj1WU


Google Circles allows teaching and learning to happen within a 100% social networking service. This means we can teach and learn with anyone, at any time because there are no barriers. Another benefit is that we can select and filter our circle of friends, classmates, and various other circles with ease of drag and drop.

My favorite feature is the real time collaboration from all participants. There are other features such a chat and library but each feature creates a new layer to collaboration and partnership with your global team on one shared desktop.

Please view the link above a personal view of Google Circles.