Web Applications
9-A-1 Web Applications
After reading the ComputerWorld magazine 2007 article Online Office Suites: The Winner Is Clear, I decided to focus on Google for Educators. I found a wealth of educator networks, lesson plans, and tools. The Wes Fryer blog post Google Notebook, Google Reader, and Firefox gave some practical uses for these Google applications. He pointed out some pitfalls to avoid, but overall recommended using Google applications.
After entering, I was quickly looking at the Educator Forums and even joined Nellie Deutsch’s Integrating-Technology group. I have a feeling when I’m finished with this class, I’ll be looking for ways to continue developing my web 2.0 proficiency.
After working with Google Notebook, I can see applications for students in my classes. I can see using notebooks as a great place to save and identify key information while surfing. The feature seems easy to use and applicable for independent student research or teacher directed learning. By making the notebook open to invitation or publishing it as a webpage, student access to research can be made easy. This would definitely help the visual learners in my class. Having this information web based means access from any network 24/7.
I entered Picnik and modified my avatar rather easily. This application was as described in the key information, a basic photo editor with a few advanced features. I found it simple and easy to use. I could see using this for visual learners as they work with slide presentations to create interesting and polished photos.
4 Comments
Hi Jim,
I thought pretty much the same thing about Google Notebook and the research that a student could save and use. I’ll have to check into it more fully, but I think what Google has available is rather easy to use. There seem to be so many things from which to choose…YIKES!
I do like the idea of using technology to reach variuos types of learners. That makes sense. Have a great day.
Sue
I have downloaded picnik on the computers in my room at school for the students to use. The district doesn’t have enough licenses for Photoshop for everyone and Picnik makes a nice substitute.
Jim, I think Google Notebook will help all of us. I am continually researching topics for collection development and being able to browse plus take notes is a brilliant time saver. This is available for a cell phone as well. I’m not sure how this would work, but I’d give it a try. So it might be good for those kinesthetic learners.
Google has so many great programs that work in education. Good to know there is a place where educators can gather to learn about the newest applications and find ways to implement them in the classroom. Google Notebook sounds like a great application; one that can help the visual learner and also the organizationally challenged individual, too.