Social Bookmarking

Social bookmarking is a way that Internet users can organize, store, manage and search for bookmarks of online resources.  I really do like this idea for those of us who are not organized individuals.  Over the years, I have lost so many bookmarks that I can't even begin to count them all.  I really don't have a very good system of bookmarking.  Normally I just add to my favorites on the particular computer I am working at, and that could be one of three computers on any given day.  I definitely need to start using a social bookmarking tool. 

For me the appeal of Diigo is that the layout is simple and easy to follow.  It is intuitive and very user-friendly.  I even found this great tutorial that I could use to share this great tool with my students.  Also, I learned that Diigo has educator's accounts too.  Currently, Diigo is blocked at my school, and I would love to have a better way of sharing websites with my students.  I would like to research the educator's accounts more, and check in to the possibility of getting this opened up for use at my school.   

Although Delicious has many great features, and I think it is a little more complicated for my middle school students.  I did find a tutorial for Delicious as well.  Either bookmarking system could be a valuable tool for teachers and students in an educational setting.  Normally my students are not well-organized and are extremely forgetful.  This could be a way to help them start to gather good websites for reference as they prepare to transition to high school.  I can still teach them about social bookmarking, even if it is not available in my classroom.            

Trinity Antorian in Second Life

Last year I was required to create an avatar in Second Life and we spent a couple of weeks exploring this interesting virtual world in my Online Communities class.  After nearly having a major panic attack trying to learn how to get around in Second Life, I thought that it was too difficult to use, and definitely too challenging to teach.

  

This time around was much easier this time; once I was able to get logged in.  I couldn't remember my password!  I was excited to find the mule at Selmo Park; I don't remember seeing him during my last visit.  The picture is supposed to be of my avatar petting the mule, but it didn't turn out very good.

   

Most of my travels have been to places where there is not much opportunity to chat with other avatars.  However, upon visiting the Welcome Area, Korea 2, I came across some profanity and a few avatars, so I decided to leave quickly.

I visited the Babel Language School and found some world language learning opportunities.  There were several languages available, but these all required money.  Unfortunately, they are all too expensive for my avatar.  I only have L$100.

Although, I do not think that Second Life is appropriate for children, I think that virtual worlds can be a useful learning environment for students.  I came across an article that listed the following as benefits to virtual world learning: 

Self: Customizing the avatar

Exploration: Moving around the world

Communication: Sharing information with others

Navigation: Looking at 3D content

Interaction: Using 3D objects

Creation: Designing a class project

Delivery: Giving the projects to the instructor

Assessment: Evaluating virtual world projects

Feedback: Compiling progress and performance reports

During my exploration, I found a virtual world called  SecretBuilders, a place where students can immerse themselves in historical, literary, and artistic settings. In my opinion, this world is more appropriate for elementary and middle school age students. Another virtual world that looks promising is Whyville. This looks to be more appropriate for middle school and high school students. The students can actually be part of a world that has its own economy, and places that function like a real world society.

Virtual worlds can be intimidating to teachers who aren't very comfortable with technology.  There are a variety of ways to incorporate these worlds into learning activities.  I think that once teachers overcome the technical difficulties, they would enjoy seeing students benefit from this type of educational opportunity.

    

Portable Devices

There is so much information available about portable devices; it was difficult to decide where to start.  However, I did find some advice on purchasing portable devices.   When choosing a portable device, some factors to consider include the following: Internet range, Power capability, Screen size, Format, Durability, Added functions, and Price.  I did find an interesting chart that listed specs on a large number of tablets.

As I struggled to wrap my head around all of this, my brother (the tech geek of my family) explained to me that a tablet or netbook is basically a "sealed box" that operates on a specific platform such as Apple, Android, or Windows.  He said that normally you won't find any USB ports or CD/DVD drives on the tablets.  It is what it is, and you can't really take it apart and build a better tablet (which is what he normally does with all of the computers in our family).  

Our high school has a 1:1 laptop program, which began with Dell laptops for grades 9-12.  The second year of the program, the district purchased HP Mini netbooks for the 9th grade students.  This is still the current procedure, since the netbooks basically can do everything needed for the freshmen.  The netbooks allow the students to browse the web, watch movies, play some games, listen to music, download numerous apps, and more.

This week I have developed an addiction to that fascinating portable device known as the Smartphone.   I have discovered that these devices can be useful to a person like me.  Organization is definitely not my strong suit, and one of the benefits of a Smartphone is keeping important data all in one place.   Plus, I had a lot of fun playing Pocket Frogs.

Students really like portable devices, but I don't think that tablets or netbooks would excite them as much as the chance to use a Smartphone in the classroom.   Over the last year, I have noticed more and more middle school students with iPods or cell phones in lockers, backpacks, or back pockets.  It makes me feel bad when I have to tell them to put these devices away, since I would love to use them in an educational capacity.

Some interesting apps are available for students.  I was excited to find Spanish Dict because it is one that I have my Spanish students use when they need to look up a Spanish word quickly.  Another app that I loved is Project Noah.  Students can take pictures of flora and fauna and use this tool to "explore and document nature."   Science teachers could utilize this as a motivational tool for those reluctant learners.  Since I have been reading science fiction recently, I like the idea of being able to learn more about the planets with Planetoids.  It is supposed to show you where the planets are when you choose a specific date.

So, I think it's about time for me to get a Smartphone!