I had a chance to look at the online productivity tool called Zoho Show. In a nutshell, it is an online presentation tool, in the tradition of Microsoft PowerPoint, but with a twist. While you can still make slides, import images, change formatting and change the order of the slides, this tool allows you to do all of this online. One obvious advantage is that if you are working on a presentation with a group of colleagues, each of the colleagues can log onto the site and add/arrange information on the actual presentation at their leisure. No need for sending drafts back and forth. (Zoho also has a suite of productivity tools very much like Google - it may be something to look into.)
Zoho Show can produce a very inviting slideshow. The user interface is fairly intuitive and easy for most to grasp. Once completed, the slideshows can be made public or kept private, as well as being able to make a link that you can paste onto your website from which people can launch a presentation. Also, Zoho Show has an awesome feature which allows a user to invite people to view the slideshow online, while the speaker conducts the slideshow from a remote location. There is facility for interaction through dedicated instant message-type system. Distance learning “on the cheap.”
Applications are obvious: a slideshow repository for presentations given where Internet access is provided. Zoho Show would be an outstanding site for teachers to take their classes when they are instructing their students on how to assemble a persuasive slideshow presentation. Since it is being done on line, students could work on their files from any computer at school, and also work on their slideshow presentations at home (if available). The cost savings for school districts that currently use software centered slideshow presentation could be substantial.
Now, the downside: 1. there is currently not a way to export the slideshow into Microsoft PowerPoint format, 2. animation support could be better, 3. the clip Art Library is good but could use many more images. This being said, it's still a fantastic way to make an effective and visually pleasing slideshow presentation without the need to purchase dedicated software.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Thing 16 - Explore online collaboration with Google Docs
How might you use this tool in your personal and professional life? What issues come to mind about using this tool with students (ie, they need email addresses to log-in)?
I can see this application coming in handy when I am working on a document with colleagues. Depending upon the number of people who need to edit (put their own stamp on). A project, this would reduce the amount of e-mail copies and versions going back and forth between the principle parties. This could be used with parents as well, however. At this time, I am unsure of any situations where this would be needed. This really has great application for any sort of collaborative project between individuals separated physically by location.
As far as using this with students, I am always reticent, giving very young students are powerful tools to use, such as e-mail. Our districts acceptable use policy does not allow for elementary, and to the best of my knowledge middle school, students to have e-mail accounts. If we wanted to use this application, you had to find a way beyond the AUP. That could entail setting up some sort of proxy or having parents sign up for up individual e-mail accounts that their child could use. Doing this would mean that the controls would be off and the students would have the expectation of conducting themselves in an appropriate manner having an email account. I'm not sure that I'm ready for that to happen.
I am disappointed in the facts of that uploaded files do not retain the formatting from the original document. Uploading a document which had a table filling the page found that same table spread in unusable format, which would have required me to spend a lot of time redoing. Even after I downloaded a document from Google Docs as a Word file, I still had to spend some time cleaning up the formatting in my Word document. Does Google wish us to start, finish and manage our documents solely within Google Docs?
Having that said, this is a powerful tool to having your disposal, especially when interacting with colleagues or parents.
I can see this application coming in handy when I am working on a document with colleagues. Depending upon the number of people who need to edit (put their own stamp on). A project, this would reduce the amount of e-mail copies and versions going back and forth between the principle parties. This could be used with parents as well, however. At this time, I am unsure of any situations where this would be needed. This really has great application for any sort of collaborative project between individuals separated physically by location.
As far as using this with students, I am always reticent, giving very young students are powerful tools to use, such as e-mail. Our districts acceptable use policy does not allow for elementary, and to the best of my knowledge middle school, students to have e-mail accounts. If we wanted to use this application, you had to find a way beyond the AUP. That could entail setting up some sort of proxy or having parents sign up for up individual e-mail accounts that their child could use. Doing this would mean that the controls would be off and the students would have the expectation of conducting themselves in an appropriate manner having an email account. I'm not sure that I'm ready for that to happen.
I am disappointed in the facts of that uploaded files do not retain the formatting from the original document. Uploading a document which had a table filling the page found that same table spread in unusable format, which would have required me to spend a lot of time redoing. Even after I downloaded a document from Google Docs as a Word file, I still had to spend some time cleaning up the formatting in my Word document. Does Google wish us to start, finish and manage our documents solely within Google Docs?
Having that said, this is a powerful tool to having your disposal, especially when interacting with colleagues or parents.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Thing 15 - RSS Revisited
RSS is getting easier to do. Keeping up with the feeds, on the other hand, is not as easy. I did view some feed late last week. After reading them, I somehow deleted them and couldn’t go back to mine them for all their usefulness.
I’m sure it will get better and become habit, especially after I show my bride how to do subscribe to feeds detailing areas of her interest. This, like other areas of life, will require further practice to become fluid.
I’m sure it will get better and become habit, especially after I show my bride how to do subscribe to feeds detailing areas of her interest. This, like other areas of life, will require further practice to become fluid.
Thing 14 – Bookmarking with Delicious
Delicious seems like a useful site to have on Web 2.0. If the Internet is everywhere, with Delicious, your bookmarks can be everywhere, too. In a previous blog, I already lauded how a colleague discovered this site and was now “all about that.” The most interested she is in using this technology, the better that technology will translate back and forth between herself and her students. Being able to tell someone about a site that I found, and then walk over to the nearest Internet connection to bring up the resource will be a huge leap beyond having to say “I’ll email you the link.”
To find out what I have been bookmarking, visit SFBuckman.
To find out what I have been bookmarking, visit SFBuckman.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Thing 13 – Social Bookmarking and Tagging
Tagging is essential for organizing the variety of items found on Web 2.0. It’s just common sense for this digital age. It's like finding a needle in a haystack. Even though you're not able to reduce the amount of hay (items) in the haystack (Internet), by using tags, you have coded the location of each needle (bookmarked item) before it’s added to the haystack making it easy to retrieve a desired needle.
The advantages are all those that you would have with an organized file cabinet: proper place for every paper, hierarchical work flow, common understanding of system norms and standards, ability for reorganization of information. The disadvantages come from use of folksonomy and independent thinkers who tag things their way with flagrant disregard to norms established for the good of all.
I imagine it would be important to put some time into really thinking through the tags that should give your sites. The more precision that is used within tagging process, the more successful others will be when they are searching for sites that you have tagged to be useful.
Thing 12 – Blog Widgets
Well, I must say that I am making progress. The widget, but I choose to embed was the RetroNix Clock. I really do like the reproduction of the Nix vacuum tubes in this widget. He reminds me of watching real tubes numbering up and down in my high school electronics class. They used a huge amount of electricity compared with today's standards, but I get a say: “I love those tubes.”
I am becoming more comfortable with adding items to my blog. It is even becoming “fun” to add more information to my blog. There is still an air of comfort, being safe in the knowledge that my blog is not being read by hundreds of other people. While that day may come, it's good to know that I can still ride with my training wheels for the time being.
I do not belong to any other online communities at this time. However, I do read a few musical bulletin boards. I can understand why social networking sites are so popular with the kids today. There are lots of advantages to sitting in front of a keyboard and safety one's own home in sharing information across the ether of the Internet. For everyone's sake, I do hope people still get out and press the flesh once in awhile. There's something very visceral about being face-to-face with another human being.
I am becoming more comfortable with adding items to my blog. It is even becoming “fun” to add more information to my blog. There is still an air of comfort, being safe in the knowledge that my blog is not being read by hundreds of other people. While that day may come, it's good to know that I can still ride with my training wheels for the time being.
I do not belong to any other online communities at this time. However, I do read a few musical bulletin boards. I can understand why social networking sites are so popular with the kids today. There are lots of advantages to sitting in front of a keyboard and safety one's own home in sharing information across the ether of the Internet. For everyone's sake, I do hope people still get out and press the flesh once in awhile. There's something very visceral about being face-to-face with another human being.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thing 11 - Community 2.0
I think leaving comments on blogs as an opportunity to contribute to a collective intelligence of the group. Think of comments as being a helpful person when you hear your neighbor, muttering to himself that he “wishes he had the right tool for the job.”
Commenting within online communities is important, because it is a way to share our voice. Everyone has something that can be helpful to others. Blogs are a way in which people can state an opinion, ask for help, gather resources, and just have fun communicating with others. This might be a positive for students who share their writing because they would benefit from the reflective critiques and positive words generated by people leaving comments.
What I find distasteful is when a person leaves comments that are not productive. I have read comments that were obviously written when the person obviously angry, upset, drunk or emotional. If one wouldn't say these things to someone in person, they shouldn't be writing them down in comments on blogs. Fortunately, the behavior of people commenting is, on the whole, very respectful and pleasant to read.
The best information I can take away from your articles is 1. to keep posts appropriate and relevant; 2. not to take the posts too seriously! and 3. limit comments to 3-4 lines at max (this last one might be hard…. but I'll try).
Commenting within online communities is important, because it is a way to share our voice. Everyone has something that can be helpful to others. Blogs are a way in which people can state an opinion, ask for help, gather resources, and just have fun communicating with others. This might be a positive for students who share their writing because they would benefit from the reflective critiques and positive words generated by people leaving comments.
What I find distasteful is when a person leaves comments that are not productive. I have read comments that were obviously written when the person obviously angry, upset, drunk or emotional. If one wouldn't say these things to someone in person, they shouldn't be writing them down in comments on blogs. Fortunately, the behavior of people commenting is, on the whole, very respectful and pleasant to read.
The best information I can take away from your articles is 1. to keep posts appropriate and relevant; 2. not to take the posts too seriously! and 3. limit comments to 3-4 lines at max (this last one might be hard…. but I'll try).
Monday, August 3, 2009
Thing 10 – Embed and Download Video
For Thing 10, I could have added an educational video as this probably is the case with most educators. However, I decide to add this contest video. In April, the Fox Sports Cable Channel in Detroit runs an “April in the D” song contest. The winner of the contest would have their song used by Fox Sports in promotional ads during the month of April.
A friend of mine heard of the contest and suggested that we enter. The deadline in three weeks was short, but achievable. It took about two weeks to write, record, and master the tune. Only after the song was complete, did we read the fine print, and realize we needed to produce a video. We hurriedly organized a trip through downtown Detroit, video recording anything we thought would be useful. About eight hours of video editing later, we had this video.
We didn't win the contest, though we learned a lot in the process of making the video and had a great deal of fun.
About three months later, I was searching YouTube for any other entries that had been posted. Although I probably shouldn't have been, I was surprised to find that Fox Sports had posted our video! This just may be my 1 minute and 44 seconds worth of fame.
BTW, I was able to download a video. Nice trick.
A friend of mine heard of the contest and suggested that we enter. The deadline in three weeks was short, but achievable. It took about two weeks to write, record, and master the tune. Only after the song was complete, did we read the fine print, and realize we needed to produce a video. We hurriedly organized a trip through downtown Detroit, video recording anything we thought would be useful. About eight hours of video editing later, we had this video.
We didn't win the contest, though we learned a lot in the process of making the video and had a great deal of fun.
About three months later, I was searching YouTube for any other entries that had been posted. Although I probably shouldn't have been, I was surprised to find that Fox Sports had posted our video! This just may be my 1 minute and 44 seconds worth of fame.
BTW, I was able to download a video. Nice trick.
Thing 9 – Online Video
YouTube: The best of the best, but worst of the worst, and in the mediocre in between. YouTube, like anything else, is what you make of it. On the whole I like what I see. YouTube gives people a voice for their visual creativity.
I have found a wide range of instructional videos for software, appliances, music equipment, Web 2.0 applications, as well as teaching videos that correlate wonderfully with grade level content expectations. There are several videos that I would show my students tomorrow, if it wasn't for the fact that YouTube is restricted in my building. As the web continues to develop, and as educators/school board members/parents gain a greater understanding of the power that this form of media has for learning, I believe that we will see YouTube-type videos being used more frequently in our schools.
The downside is, and there is always a downside, that the message being presented in some videos is lost due to the poor production quality and/or the poor planning that went into the project. However, I do give credit to everyone who uploads anything of original content. People who post videos are motivated individuals who are acquiring skills through their use of this media. It is a way to get ideas noticed and, as illustrated in the YouTube video “Free Hugs Campaign” may even motivate others to act for the betterment of all.
I have found a wide range of instructional videos for software, appliances, music equipment, Web 2.0 applications, as well as teaching videos that correlate wonderfully with grade level content expectations. There are several videos that I would show my students tomorrow, if it wasn't for the fact that YouTube is restricted in my building. As the web continues to develop, and as educators/school board members/parents gain a greater understanding of the power that this form of media has for learning, I believe that we will see YouTube-type videos being used more frequently in our schools.
The downside is, and there is always a downside, that the message being presented in some videos is lost due to the poor production quality and/or the poor planning that went into the project. However, I do give credit to everyone who uploads anything of original content. People who post videos are motivated individuals who are acquiring skills through their use of this media. It is a way to get ideas noticed and, as illustrated in the YouTube video “Free Hugs Campaign” may even motivate others to act for the betterment of all.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Thing 8 – Fun with Images
I enjoyed Flickr Memory – I always liked Husker Du-type (Jeopardy) games. Being able to choose the topic and then play is nice for developing game strategies and visual discrimination in the young children with which I work. Sudoku with Flickr may be a site that will be a future favorite of my wife.
Flickr Montager was fun, but if the image was too finely detailed the picture final montage would be hard to see due to the pixilated quality of the final product.
I really enjoyed exploring Big Huge Labs’ website. There are a lot a fun and creative things to do. CD Covers, Wallpaper, Trading Cards, Captioner, Jigsaw, Movie Poster, Cube (for math, of course); there are so many fun, creative things to do. I can see how I might want to use some of the items within my classroom this year to spice up projects or assignments. These sites are so simple to use, with a little bit of instruction the students could easily use them to create. I have bookmarked this site for me to explore more deeply.
Imagegenerator IS expansive, is not as user friendly, but does have some niche applications. The best way that I can characterize this site is that it offer a few things well, then does them the over and over by changing some aspect of each page. There is a lot, but not enough to keep my interest.
I am glad that I have had this opportunity over the summer to preview these resources for once I start my new school year, I fear that I will not have the time to “play” with them. They can be very time consuming, not to mention the addictive nature that they have for those of us who are void of any natural artistic ability.
Flickr Montager was fun, but if the image was too finely detailed the picture final montage would be hard to see due to the pixilated quality of the final product.
I really enjoyed exploring Big Huge Labs’ website. There are a lot a fun and creative things to do. CD Covers, Wallpaper, Trading Cards, Captioner, Jigsaw, Movie Poster, Cube (for math, of course); there are so many fun, creative things to do. I can see how I might want to use some of the items within my classroom this year to spice up projects or assignments. These sites are so simple to use, with a little bit of instruction the students could easily use them to create. I have bookmarked this site for me to explore more deeply.
Imagegenerator IS expansive, is not as user friendly, but does have some niche applications. The best way that I can characterize this site is that it offer a few things well, then does them the over and over by changing some aspect of each page. There is a lot, but not enough to keep my interest.
I am glad that I have had this opportunity over the summer to preview these resources for once I start my new school year, I fear that I will not have the time to “play” with them. They can be very time consuming, not to mention the addictive nature that they have for those of us who are void of any natural artistic ability.
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