I can finally take a deep breath and look back on this past semester. I have been so busy every week frantically researching the assigned Web 2.0 tools while I'm holding down a full time job, raising 3 kids (4 if you count my husband), and completing assignments in my other graduate class. Needless to say, I am glad this semester is over!! I have learned a lot about Web 2.0 tools and how they can be used in a learning environment. Each tool comes with both strengths and weaknesses.
Using tools in education enable the affordance of collaboration. This semester alone, a group project was completed with students all over Texas with the use of Google Docs. As long as everyone has access to the internet, it is easy to share ideas and collaborate. This brings up one of the negatives of Web 2.0 tools. When students are using the tools, in order to continue to use them at home, internet connection must be available. Not every student has internet at home. Another downside is that it can be difficult to find age appropriate Web 2.0 tools. Younger children require tools that are simple and easy to use. Many Web 2.0 tools, such as Twitter, are geared toward older students.
And then there's the issue of privacy. Teaching students about the correct way to use the internet and being aware of other users is so important when using Web 2.0 tools. It's nice that a lot of tools available to use in education have privacy settings. Invitations are issued in order to see the content and the teacher has the ability to share content, if needed.
In the future, when researching new tools, I will look for certain
characteristics that I find important. These include but are not
limited to ease of use, age appropriateness, ability to encourage higher
order thinking, and privacy.
Friday, March 3, 2017
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Vanity Search Update
Now that this semester is coming to a close, I realize how much I have gotten my name out on the internet in just a few weeks. Having signed up for the required Web. 2.0 tools has made my internet footprint much larger. This week while searching my name, I added Texas A&M Commerce....what a difference. The first 3 websites were me! I am proud to say that there are still no pictures of me. I had read somewhere in the class that it is important to have a large footprint. I disagree. I would prefer that only people that I know be able to see my profiles, blogs, pictures, and work. I will be deleting my information from any of the tools I choose to discontinue using.
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Web 2.0 and the future...
This semester I have learned about a lot of tools that can be useful in the classroom. It was fun to see how tools, such as YouTube, can be used for educational purposes....not just looking up old music videos. I have learned that Twitter is a great way to connect and collaborate with your classmates. I hope that when I become a teacher and a librarian that I will continue to use these tools. Now I can see that it is so important to keep up with all of the new technology. Teaching students how to use Web 2.0 tools for education and implementing them into the classroom will help them to become lifelong learners.....which is our final goal!
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Diigo!!
This week, I am thankful for researching a Web 2.0 tool that I really like. Diigo is a social bookmarking tool. You can bookmark any web page on a cloud....share the pages or keep them private. The bookmarks can then be accessed from anywhere!! This tool is used in place of all of those pages you save to your "favorites". I don't save things to favorites...I just keep an open tab. You can only imagine how many tabs I have open at once. I do the same thing on my phone. Once, my phone crashed. It sure would have been nice to have everything on Diigo! I would have been able to open Diigo and access everything I think is important.
In education, Diigo can be used for collaborative learning. Teachers can share bookmarks that are important with other teachers or students. Diigo also has the ability to highlight important passages and add little sticky notes. If a student uses Diigo on the school computer, all bookmarked pages can be accessed at home.
It really does seem like a great tool! I know that being able to share information is a feature that many educators may use....I really like it for my personal bookmarks. For another class that I am taking, we are required to read specific online articles. I am planning on posting the links to each article on my Diigo. This will give me the ability to read the articles without having to log on to my school account....Yay!!
In education, Diigo can be used for collaborative learning. Teachers can share bookmarks that are important with other teachers or students. Diigo also has the ability to highlight important passages and add little sticky notes. If a student uses Diigo on the school computer, all bookmarked pages can be accessed at home.
It really does seem like a great tool! I know that being able to share information is a feature that many educators may use....I really like it for my personal bookmarks. For another class that I am taking, we are required to read specific online articles. I am planning on posting the links to each article on my Diigo. This will give me the ability to read the articles without having to log on to my school account....Yay!!
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Aggregate Pages....what??
These were my first thoughts when I read the class assignment for the week. I had never heard of aggregate pages or even widgets. So, I got to work. First I visited the Protopage website. After setting up an account, the page seemed pretty easy to manipulate to my liking. I added widgets that linked to my blog, Twitter feed, and the class wiki painlessly. Then I tried to add YouTube. This is where I ran into some trouble. My YouTube channel would not show up. I went back to our class discussion and luckily came upon some step-by-step instructions on embedding the playlists....thank you, Alicia!!
An aggregate page, like Protopage, is a great tool for accessing everything with one simple click. I liked that I could add pretty much anything that I wanted to the page...websites, news feed, photo, or podcast. There are endless possibilities. I believe that an aggregate page would mostly be used, again, by older students, teachers in the classroom, or for parents to be up to date with happenings in the classroom. I can also see having an aggregate page as the home page in the library with links to CitationMachine, the school website, and the school events calendar for students.
Protopage seemed pretty easy to navigate. I know other aggregate pages exist,such as Netvibes. I am thankful that I researched Protopage first...the class made Netvibes seem much more complicated. And, I do not need complicated. =)
An aggregate page, like Protopage, is a great tool for accessing everything with one simple click. I liked that I could add pretty much anything that I wanted to the page...websites, news feed, photo, or podcast. There are endless possibilities. I believe that an aggregate page would mostly be used, again, by older students, teachers in the classroom, or for parents to be up to date with happenings in the classroom. I can also see having an aggregate page as the home page in the library with links to CitationMachine, the school website, and the school events calendar for students.
Protopage seemed pretty easy to navigate. I know other aggregate pages exist,such as Netvibes. I am thankful that I researched Protopage first...the class made Netvibes seem much more complicated. And, I do not need complicated. =)
Sunday, February 5, 2017
YouTube Adventure
This week I set out to learn a little more about YouTube. Sure, I've used YouTube.....when searching for a specific movie clip, an old music video, or even how to fold up a princess tent. The only time I have used YouTube as an educational tool is when it has been required to watch a video for a class.
So, I set up my account and created playlists for different categories of videos. My playlists include Twitter tools, Wikispaces, Web 2.0, Library, and Cricut. I added some videos to each of the playlists and then went back to watch.
After watching the Twitter videos and playing with Twitter a little more, I can still see it as a great tool for older students. One tip from a video suggested using as a teacher to tweet out research tips which, I think is a great idea.
Being new to Wikispaces, I found quite a few videos that helped me out as a beginner....I actually wish that I had watched these earlier!!
I am currently not a teacher so, I looked for some Web 2.0 videos and some on libraries that I know I will not put to use for a few years. One Web 2.0 video was about Weebly...a tool that I have not used yet but, will have to use in the future.
After searching YouTube, I realized how much time and effort is put into making educational videos. I can see using these videos to help teach students about different things. I actually got a Cricut Air 2 for Christmas that I have not learned how to use yet. I'll be watching the YouTube videos in my spare time so that I can make something crafty. =)
So, I set up my account and created playlists for different categories of videos. My playlists include Twitter tools, Wikispaces, Web 2.0, Library, and Cricut. I added some videos to each of the playlists and then went back to watch.
After watching the Twitter videos and playing with Twitter a little more, I can still see it as a great tool for older students. One tip from a video suggested using as a teacher to tweet out research tips which, I think is a great idea.
Being new to Wikispaces, I found quite a few videos that helped me out as a beginner....I actually wish that I had watched these earlier!!
I am currently not a teacher so, I looked for some Web 2.0 videos and some on libraries that I know I will not put to use for a few years. One Web 2.0 video was about Weebly...a tool that I have not used yet but, will have to use in the future.
After searching YouTube, I realized how much time and effort is put into making educational videos. I can see using these videos to help teach students about different things. I actually got a Cricut Air 2 for Christmas that I have not learned how to use yet. I'll be watching the YouTube videos in my spare time so that I can make something crafty. =)
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Oh, Twitter....I do not love you!
Right now I feel like my mother....or worse, my mother-in-law when they get some "newfangled" technology. Do I not love Twitter because I've only been using it for a week?? Maybe! But, I do not love it!
I downloaded Twitter to my phone for the first time last week. Since, I have followed some of things I am interested in....Houston Texans, Texas A&M Football, Apache Belles, Rodeo Houston and of course JJ Watt. ;) I have been paying more attention to how often you can post something directly to Twitter from the internet. At the end of article you read, there it is....that little bird. So, yes, Twitter is everywhere.
Twitter can be an excellent marketing tool. For example, this weekend my family and I went to the NFL Experience in downtown Houston. It was a blast. There were so many things for the kids to participate in. Every activity always had a sign telling you to #SBLI all of your photos. There was a Skittles booth that once you proved that you posted a picture with #tastetherainbow, you got to pick a locker and get a free prize. So, after posting a few pics with the required hashtag....
...we walked away with some Skittles, Skittles sunglasses, and a $5 gift card to the NFL store. The kids were thrilled. Mom, not so much. We all know there is no item at the NFL store for $5!!
Back to Twitter and using it for an educational tool. I did a lot of research and I can see where it would be a great tool for the older student. I found a great article at https://elearningindustry.com/15-ways-twitter-in-education-students-teachers that listed "15 Ways to Use Twitter In Education (For Students And Teachers Alike)". This article gave examples such as using it to announce homework, for student collaboration, and creating a classroom hashtag. These are all great ideas for students that have mobile devices or regular access to a computer.....and, of course, all of us who are taking online courses. Being able to search for our class via #etec527 is a great tool. Having the ability to add #etec527 to any comment or article that you find makes sharing information so easy.
I have also downloaded Hootsuite to my phone. I like that you have the ability to link all of your social networks into one app. Remembering to actually post the information to Twitter or Hootsuite isn't easy for me. It could just be because I am new to it. Maybe, one day, it will become second nature to pass information along so easily through Twitter or other apps like Hootsuite.
The hardest part for me to wrap my head around is for those of us that will be working with elementary students. I do not work in a school yet but, hope to become an elementary school librarian within the next few years. A huge percentage of those students do not have internet access away from what is allowed in school. My 10 year old does have an iPad but, it is used mostly to play kid-friendly games and to watch Netflix when she's trying to get away from the little ones. While the child is at school, using Twitter for research is a possibility and I can see Twitter being used to update parents and school/library followers. But, as a whole, I feel like Twitter is geared to older students.
I'm sure many will disagree.....maybe, one day I will, too.
I downloaded Twitter to my phone for the first time last week. Since, I have followed some of things I am interested in....Houston Texans, Texas A&M Football, Apache Belles, Rodeo Houston and of course JJ Watt. ;) I have been paying more attention to how often you can post something directly to Twitter from the internet. At the end of article you read, there it is....that little bird. So, yes, Twitter is everywhere.
Twitter can be an excellent marketing tool. For example, this weekend my family and I went to the NFL Experience in downtown Houston. It was a blast. There were so many things for the kids to participate in. Every activity always had a sign telling you to #SBLI all of your photos. There was a Skittles booth that once you proved that you posted a picture with #tastetherainbow, you got to pick a locker and get a free prize. So, after posting a few pics with the required hashtag....
...we walked away with some Skittles, Skittles sunglasses, and a $5 gift card to the NFL store. The kids were thrilled. Mom, not so much. We all know there is no item at the NFL store for $5!!
Back to Twitter and using it for an educational tool. I did a lot of research and I can see where it would be a great tool for the older student. I found a great article at https://elearningindustry.com/15-ways-twitter-in-education-students-teachers that listed "15 Ways to Use Twitter In Education (For Students And Teachers Alike)". This article gave examples such as using it to announce homework, for student collaboration, and creating a classroom hashtag. These are all great ideas for students that have mobile devices or regular access to a computer.....and, of course, all of us who are taking online courses. Being able to search for our class via #etec527 is a great tool. Having the ability to add #etec527 to any comment or article that you find makes sharing information so easy.
I have also downloaded Hootsuite to my phone. I like that you have the ability to link all of your social networks into one app. Remembering to actually post the information to Twitter or Hootsuite isn't easy for me. It could just be because I am new to it. Maybe, one day, it will become second nature to pass information along so easily through Twitter or other apps like Hootsuite.
The hardest part for me to wrap my head around is for those of us that will be working with elementary students. I do not work in a school yet but, hope to become an elementary school librarian within the next few years. A huge percentage of those students do not have internet access away from what is allowed in school. My 10 year old does have an iPad but, it is used mostly to play kid-friendly games and to watch Netflix when she's trying to get away from the little ones. While the child is at school, using Twitter for research is a possibility and I can see Twitter being used to update parents and school/library followers. But, as a whole, I feel like Twitter is geared to older students.
I'm sure many will disagree.....maybe, one day I will, too.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Vanity Search-ETEC 527
I am no expert in using the internet or Web. 2.0....but, I can typically find what I'm looking for when performing a Google search. This week I found the result of my search quite interesting. First, I'll mention that I do not have that many Web 2.0 accounts. Prior to attending graduate school, I had a Facebook and Instagram account. I do enjoy reading blogs but, I never had one of my own. Classes that I have been enrolled in require blogs, Twitter, and even an ePortfolio. So, when I began to search for myself online, I was not expecting to find much.
My first search was for "Lauren Finnerty". This is the name that I am enrolled in school under. Currently, both of my school blogs and my ePortfolio have "Lauren Finnerty" listed on them. I discovered that there are quite a few Lauren Finnertys. I clicked on each entry of results through the first 10 pages. On page 1 of Google results, the 8th entry was for white pages. It did pull up some of my information....no phone or address. On page 2 of the results, there was an "instant checkmate" that had old information about me but, not much. Again, it did not have an address or phone number. Only the city that I used to live in. I also clicked on the images and did not find one of me.
My second search was for "Lauren McMillan". "Lauren McMillan" is my maiden name. Through 8 pages of results, there was not one link associated with me. There were also no images.
The last name I tried was "Lauren McMillan Harris". I am currently in the process of changing my name to my married name. This is the name that my Facebook page is listed under so, I knew that Google would find something. I was right! The first two results were about me. I clicked on both links and did not see any actual information or pictures. I guess having my profile private is actually working.
To dig just a little deeper, I had to add additional words. For example, I was on a "Nightline" episode back in 2014. To find that episode, I had to search "Lauren Finnerty Nightline". The first result was the article and video associated with that episode.
http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/moms-secret-turning-christmas-shopping-free-holiday-travel/story?id=27373989
Finally, I was an Apache Belle at TJC. So, I searched "Lauren McMillan Apache Belles" to see if I could find anything. Google found where I had posted a picture on the Apache Belle Facebook page.
That's it!! The search shows that I am not all over the internet. I am glad to say that having private accounts really do work. What I do post online is only seen by those that I want to show. It does make me feel a lot better about any pictures of my kids that I post.
I'm interested to see how the everyone's search went!!
My first search was for "Lauren Finnerty". This is the name that I am enrolled in school under. Currently, both of my school blogs and my ePortfolio have "Lauren Finnerty" listed on them. I discovered that there are quite a few Lauren Finnertys. I clicked on each entry of results through the first 10 pages. On page 1 of Google results, the 8th entry was for white pages. It did pull up some of my information....no phone or address. On page 2 of the results, there was an "instant checkmate" that had old information about me but, not much. Again, it did not have an address or phone number. Only the city that I used to live in. I also clicked on the images and did not find one of me.
My second search was for "Lauren McMillan". "Lauren McMillan" is my maiden name. Through 8 pages of results, there was not one link associated with me. There were also no images.
The last name I tried was "Lauren McMillan Harris". I am currently in the process of changing my name to my married name. This is the name that my Facebook page is listed under so, I knew that Google would find something. I was right! The first two results were about me. I clicked on both links and did not see any actual information or pictures. I guess having my profile private is actually working.
To dig just a little deeper, I had to add additional words. For example, I was on a "Nightline" episode back in 2014. To find that episode, I had to search "Lauren Finnerty Nightline". The first result was the article and video associated with that episode.
http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/moms-secret-turning-christmas-shopping-free-holiday-travel/story?id=27373989
Finally, I was an Apache Belle at TJC. So, I searched "Lauren McMillan Apache Belles" to see if I could find anything. Google found where I had posted a picture on the Apache Belle Facebook page.
That's it!! The search shows that I am not all over the internet. I am glad to say that having private accounts really do work. What I do post online is only seen by those that I want to show. It does make me feel a lot better about any pictures of my kids that I post.
I'm interested to see how the everyone's search went!!
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