Techno-Tools for ME =)

An Assessment of 8 Tools of Technology for Education

1. Edublogs ****

Edublogs is a free online blogging site for educators and students. You can communicate with parents and students, as well as, other teachers to share ideas, information and opninions. The site is capable of uploading all sorts of media such as videos and pictures, and is very customizable to suit your needs. Our school is has used this blog to communicate with students and parents. (http://ums8c.edublogs.org/)

2. Moodle ****

This online course management system is very efficient and effective. It allows the educator to relay information directly and clearly. As a student, the site is very easy to navigate through. Assignments may be submitted with little difficulty and feedback from the teacher can be instantaneous. I appreciate that UOG has adopted the Moodle system for all these reasons, and also because it is eco-friendly.

3. TokBox ***

Tokbox is a free, online video communication site that allows anyone with a webcam to communicate anywhere around the world. This tool does not require any download, unlike most video communication programs. The best part about it is that it is free. Students can learn about other cultures from around the world with a simple click of the mouse. With technology like this, the rest of the world is at the tip of your fingertips.

4. Google Apps *****

Google applications allows its users to practically do everything you would normally on a computer, online. The only difference is everything is stored online so you don't risk losing files because of crashed computers of lost thumb-drives. Some of the applications you will find on Google are Gmail, Google Page Creator, Google Talk, Google Calender, Google Documents and Spreadsheets, and various Google sites.

5. Mozilla Firefox ****

Mozilla Firefox is a free web browser. It features tab browsing, simple file downloading, and add-ons that allows users to customize their browsers to fit their needs. The most notable feature Mozilla has is its security. Viruses are less prone to attack and the system is pretty fast.

6. Delicious ***
Delicious is an online, social, bookmarking website that allows you to browse and search sites of other users with ease. You can tag, bundle and save bookmarks with little difficulty. The simple layout of this website allows for simple navigation.

7. SchoolTube *****

Schooltube is a great way for students and teachers to view and share educational videos. Just like YouTube, it is free to use and view. However, the content displayed on this website is strictly monitored so that everything that is uploaded is safe for all students to view. On this site, students may enter video contests for prizes.

8. Hulu ***

Hulu is a video streaming site that allows its users to watch movies, TV episode and video clips online for free. Viewers are able to watch missed episodes of their favorite show on the Internet at their own time. But you have to watch it before it gets deleted. As good as it sounds, Hulu has its limits. About 5 episodes of a TV show are displayed at a time with older episodes being deleted as newer ones are uploaded. Teachers can use this technology in their classroom, watching shows relevent to their curriculum.

Rating

poor: *

okay: **

good: ***

better: ****

excellent: *****