Thing 9—On-Line Collaboration Tools

I found using Google Docs much easier, probably in part because it actually let me edit and comment on the text. I couldn’t figure out how to make Zoho let me do that, even with the link and with an account. Google Docs just seemed more intuitive to me, probably because it worked more like Word.

As for what the founding fathers would think—

I think that Jefferson would have whole-heartedly embraced the change that has come along in technology. Everything he did in his home and in his professional life indicates that he would love this ability to see and edit material in this fashion. Just think, the whole Continental Congress could have been a webinar or a virtual conference, with no one needing to travel. Think what we might have lost from the correspondence between John Adams and Abigail Adams, though. Their marriage might have been happier, but their legacy from their letters would have been less wonderful.

Thing 8 Overview

It’s wonderful that we can now use on-line resource for drafting a presentation like a PowerPoint, or using one for allowing drafting that can be opened through web browsers, or even the slide shows and photo tools. These tools will increase the ease with which students can collaborate with one another without worrying that they are using the same versions of programs, or that the system will somehow fall apart when they are trying to do a presentation.

I found Picture trail, Google doc, Thumbstacks all easy to use. I will try to do more personally with eFolio, but I didn’t have most of my information handy when I was working on it.

What I am curious about is how easy it would be to incorporate the html from one of these sites into my section of my school web page. Something for a time I have that mythical free time…

Thing 8 Slideshow

I think I successfully posted a slide show of photos from last summer from my backyard and the north shore of Minnesota.

Thing 8

I tried to do a preliminary presentation in Thumbstacks. I think the connection worked. You need to click on the title (Thing 8) and a new window should pop open. I like the idea that one can compose on any computer and access it on any computer with an Internet connection. That could make things so much easier for students who always have issues with compatibility between school and home.

Thing 7

Thing 7—Communication

I work in a small, k-8 school library which also has a specialized library for adults. (It’s a Jewish day school, so we have an adult Judaica section.) Email has not really been used by students, but I do respond to occasional adult requests by email. However, email is critical for my work with my teacher colleagues. It is the fastest and easiest way to make sure someone sees an idea or request without interrupting a class. (Voice mail seems like a parent thing at school, not a colleague thing.)

Right now, I can’t see the Web 2.0 tools being very useful to the students. Our catalogue, while computerized, is not easily accessible by anyone other than me. Our books are not bar coded. I still read Kindergarten handwriting on little cards from book pockets. We hope to upgrade (eventually), but as small private school, costs are somewhat prohibitive.

On the other hand, I found it wonderful to discover the Minitex web conferences. While I couldn’t do a live one, I watched the webinar on del.icio.us and it was wonderful. I immediately went and set up my account and have told a number of teachers about it. I also think that some of these videos we have been directed to would be useful for our upper-school students as part of our technology training.

I haven’t yet tried to use chat, although I am corralling some of my friends into trying it with me. But I steadfastly refuse to do text messaging. My spouse has a Blackberry, and let’s just say it’s a topic I am becoming increasingly homicidal about. ;-)