[BubbleTimer logo image]. (2010). Retrieved February 22, 2010 from: http://www.bubbletimer.com
Monday, February 22, 2010
BP12_2010023_Link to your comment on another’s blog
Follow this link to view my comments on Scott Legere's Blog.
Follow this link to view my comments on Jeff Kohls's Blog.
BP11_2010023_Link to your comment on another’s blog
Follow this link to view my comments on Donna Thomas's Blog.
Follow this link to view my comments on Ginger Shaw's Blog
BP10_2010023_Web2.0Tool3_BubbleTimer
The user interface is clean, and very easy to use. It gives you a map of the calendar day broken down into a linear timeline, with bubble-like checkmarks at 15-minute intervals. You can customize the fields for the activities that you perform throughout the day, such as sleeping, working, taking a walk, watching TV, etc. You can also set daily and weekly goals for how much time you want to set as a target amount. BubbleTimer then tabulates how you are fairing with reaching your goals, with pie charts and graphs to give you feedback on whether or not you are spending your time wisely. You can even export your time-map into spreadsheet software for more advanced tracking.
I think this would be a valuable tool for a class project because students K-12 and beyond will find that if they want to be efficient and get ahead in this fast-paced world they will have to learn about time management. I propose an assignment where the students sign up for a 14-day free trial with BubbleTimer, and then for the next two weeks have the students map their daily activities. At the end of the two-week test, they could export their time-map and submit it as an assignment. This could reveal to the students how much time they spend achieving their goals, and how much time they spend being idle.
BubbleTimer seems like a really useful tool, and something I am finding could really help me with my personal time management, and hopefully help me to become more productive.
[BubbleTimer logo image]. (2010). Retrieved February 22, 2010 from: http://www.bubbletimer.com
Monday, February 15, 2010
BP8_2010022_Web2.0Tool2_Dropbox
Another very useful Web 2.0 tool that I was turned on to is Dropbox. Dropbox is an online file sharing and storage service that automatically syncs files you place in the Dropbox folder to a web server, and subsequently to other computers that you are using Dropbox on. While this is not a new concept or service, the neat thing about Dropbox is that you can set up specific sharing groups with other users of Dropbox for secure file transfers.
Dropbox also incorporates Growl, a Windows and OS X notification service that shows pop-ups when there is something noteworthy happening on your computer. Each time that your Dropbox is modified, Growl lets you know. That way you never miss an update or something new that a friend has shared with you. If you are just trying to make some files available for anyone, Dropbox can do that too, with a public folder feature.
I really like the local program feature in Dropbox, that way if you are offline you can still add files into the shared folder and Dropbox will sync up the next time you are online.
With the free account, you get 2 gigabytes of online storage space. It is much easier than carrying around a flash drive, and with the web browser interface you can access and download your files from any computer.
It is also available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and iPhone, so you can know that your important files are always with you. I highly recommend this Web 2.0 tool!
[Dropbox logo image]. (2010). Retrieved February 16, 2010 from: http://www.dropbox.com
BP7_2010022_One Minute Message - #1
I chose Grooveshark for my one minute video. I would love feedback on it.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
BP6_2010022_Lesson Plans Using Flickr
Lesson Plans Using Flickr
One lesson plan I found by Ekaterina Tolstova from Scridb.com implemented Flickr as a system for learning vocabulary on the elementary level. The learner would search on Flickr for the vocabulary word and try to find images that explains what the word means. I could see Flickr used in a musical education context by sharing images of instruments, musical notes and scales, and video clips of music instruction with a group of classmates. This could be used as a virtual flash card system that could help the students visually identify instruments, and the video feature could allow the students to hear an example of what sound the instrument makes. It could also be used to quiz students by showing them a series of musical modes or scales, and having them identify them visually. This could reinforce concepts and vocabulary learning from the classroom.
[Flickr logo image]. (2010). Retrieved February 15, 2010 from: http://www.flickr.com
BP5_2010022_Link to your comment on another’s blog
Follow this link to view my comments on Ginger Shaw’s Blog.
Follow this link to view my comments on Scott Legere's Blog.
Monday, February 8, 2010
BP4_2010021_Web2.0Tool1_Grooveshark
Grooveshark
Grooveshark is a free MP3 streaming website that allows you to search for music by your favorite artists, create playlists of that music, and share it with your friends. There is also an area to upload your own music, and even an artist area to promote your band.
I am currently teaching a course in Advanced Audio Production and this tool will be something fantastic for my students to use. One way I could see this tool applied in the classroom is for the students’ research/public service announcement project. The assignment details are that the students must research music by their favorite artists, bands, or individual songs and write a biographical script on their findings. From their script they will record a 90-second public service announcement voice-track and back it with an example of the music they chose. This assignment will be the culmination of all of the skills they have learned in the class, such as recording, mixing, and mastering audio tracks and producing a high-quality piece.
This is a great tool for discovering new music and I could envision the students branching out of their personal taste genres and finding something new that they liked based on the search suggestions provided by Grooveshark and from the shared playlists from their fellow students.
I could see this used in many different aspects of education. One could be allowing the students to create their own music and create their own “channel” to share their creative ventures with other students. This could also venture into creating educational audio “podcasts” and integrating their creations with a Twitter account. Either way it is a great tool for just jamming to your favorite tunes while writing those research papers!
[Grooveshark logo image]. (2010). Retrieved February 15, 2010 from: http://www.grooveshark.com
BP3_2010021_RSS Feeds
If there is a trick to doing something, this is the place to find out about it. This site is filled with workarounds and innovative ways to increase productivity with your digital and analog worlds. There are tips on the latest and greatest finds that the Internet has to offer. Often times, in the educational setting we are forced to find creative ways of using technology on a limited budget. This site is a great asset in that respect.
Gizmodo Another of the gadget hacking blogospheres. This site focuses more on the world of portable electronic gizmos and how to trick them into doing what you want them to do (or didn’t even know that they could do). Again, when there is a need for a cheap alternative to expensive hardware, or just for unlocking the potential of the equipment you have, this is the place to feed.
Blackboard BlogsAs the Blackboard Administrator for our school, it seemed only suiting to subscribe to Blackboard’s RSS feed. Hopefully, I can keep up on the latest news about updates and support for our LMS, and stay on the crest of the wave when there is something new happening with the system.
MoodleI have always been fascinated by the open source initiative, and hoped that this would have accepted with more open arms by our campus community. My predecessor had begun developing a Moodle alternative to the Blackboard system we use now. I would like to revitalize that project, and support the open-source community.
Webdesigner DepotI am relatively new to the world of web design, but since nearly everything I do utilizes the web I am always looking for those “how do they do that” tutorials. This site provides just that; tips, tricks, and tweaks for the budding web artist. We all have to start somewhere!
[Lifehacker logo image]. (2010). Retrieved February 15, 2010 from: http://www.lifehacker.com/
[Gizmodo logo image]. (2010). Retrieved February 15, 2010 from: http://www.gizmodo.com
[Blackboard logo image]. (2010). Retrieved February 15, 2010 from: http://www.blackboard.com
[Moodle logo image].(2010). Retrieved February 15, 2010 from: http://www.moodle.com
[Webdesigner Depot logo image]. (2010). Retrieved February 15, 2010 from: http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/
BP2_2010021_EduUses4Blogs
Educational Uses for Blogs
Blogging provides interactivity that converts the predominant one-way street of web pages into a two-way conversation between individuals and the world. The prospects of the use of blogs in education are increasing considerably in the wide world of Web 2.0. Now instructors and students can continue the discussion outside of the classroom, and easily amend it with media rich links to content from around the world. Blogs provide the feeling of conversation through the use of comments on blog posts, and give the blog writer almost instantaneous feedback on their thoughts and ideas, further engaging the learning process (Flierl, R., & Fowler, H. 2007). The possibilities are vast for this type of technology in the classroom, but Peter Duffy and Dr. Axel Bruns (2006) outline a list of some of the possible uses for blogs in education:
Within a personal academic perspective a blog can support:
• reflection on teaching experiences
• categorized descriptions of resources and methodologies for teaching
• ramblings regarding professional challenges and teaching tips for other academics
• illustration of specific technology-related tips for other colleagues.
Within an organizational perspective a blog can support:
• a common online presence for unit-related information such as calendars, events, assignments and resources
• an online area for students to post contact details and queries relating to assessment.
Within a pedagogical perspective a blog can support:
• comments based on literature readings and student responses
• a collaborative space for students to act as reviewers for course-related materials
• images and reflections related to industry placement
• an online gallery space for review of works, writings, etc. in progress, making use especially of the commenting feature
• teachers encouraging reactions, reflections and ideas by commenting on their students’ blogs
• development of a student portfolio of work.
As we move into new, faster, and higher throughput realms of interconnectedness, I feel that blogging will become so much more of a powerful tool for education. Sites like Google have already begun tapping into this vast ocean, by bringing together many powerful tools that are interlinked and accessible through one set of credentials. I can’t see the shoreline, but I am grabbing my surfboard and am going to see where this wave takes us.
Duffy, P., & Bruns, A. (2006). The Use of Blogs, Wikis and RSS in Education: A Conversation of
Possibilities. Online Learning and Teaching Conference 2006, 26 Sep. 2006, Brisbane. Retrieved February 6, 2010, from http://eprints.qut.edu.au/5398/
Flierl, R., & Fowler, H. (2007). Educational Uses of Blogs and Wikis. Phi Delta Kappan, 89(3),
C3. Retrieved February 6, 2010, from Academic Search Premier database.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
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