More than just a little orange icon…
I started seeing this icon around on websites many months ago and wondered what exactly what it was. I knew it had the name of RSS, but I was not too sure what it did. The introduction of Internet Explorer 7.0 as well as upgrades to other popular browsers such as Mozilla Firefox have opened the door to RSS.
RSS is a real time saver, and I have barely started using it!
For those who do not quite know about it, RSS is a subscription to a website that is updated regularly. Instead of checking 100 websites each day to see if there are updates or new posts, RSS will let you know in seconds which have been updated and what the updates are. This would be effective in the classroom because it means if every student in a class has a blog, a teacher would not have to spend hours going through checking every blog for updates.
I mentioned web browsers and RSS just above, but until everyone has a laptop and wireless access every where, the problem is that your RSS updates do not follow you. iGoogle has solved this problem by creating an area for you to store all your subscriptions, and as usual with Google, it is free! That means no matter where you are, if you have a computer and internet access, you’ll have all your favourite website updates sent straight to you!
3rd article link
Date Published Feb 2007
Abstract
Media specialists today are required to use more and more technology. Their responsibilities encompass everything from repairing overhead projectors to administrating an entire library’s automated system. These responsibilities are in addition to working with students on research and information literacy, making book selections, and collaborating with classroom teachers on curriculum. Now more than ever, Web 2.0 tools such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, and RSS are of interest to media specialists for many reasons. Technology integration and the abundance of Web 2.0 tools provide media specialists with many opportunities to work with students. In this article, the author discusses Web 2.0, how she is training media specialists to use Web 2.0 tools with students, and some issues related to the use of these tools in schools. (Contains 22 online resources.)
Journal article on Web 2.0
Abstract:
Defines the physical and virtual space of high-tech classrooms in terms of one-to-many, many-to-one, one-to-one, and many-to-many communications modes. Urges an active approach to using information technology that includes administrative and technical support, rewards for innovation, training, security, and good design. (SK)
My Comments on this article…
I think that this article also presents some very interesting points. The table that I liked from the article is the following one:
Journal Articles on use of technology
Date Published: August 2007
Abstract:
Successive national policy in England has striven to develop uses of information and communication technologies (ICT) to support teaching and learning, and has promoted the adoption of ICT in schools over a period of some 25 years (since the “Microcomputer in schools initiative” of 1981). The current level of deployment of ICT in schools is high. Not only are current levels higher than ever before, but the diversity of forms of ICT have also increased. These high levels and wide diversity create challenges for teachers, in terms of understanding how to select appropriate uses of ICT to support learning most effectively in specific situations. A clear need is for teachers to know how each form of ICT supports precise aspects of learning, in each subject area, topic and activity. Teachers need to consider the forms of technological resources that are accessible, how these specifically work within learning environments in classroom (and other) settings, and how uses of resources match social, behavioural, emotional and cognitive needs of pupils. This article offers a perspective of the pedagogical needs of teachers, by considering a particular selection of learning technologies, how these are used within learning environments, and how it is possible to view their impact on pupil cognition. A set of starting frameworks, through which to analyse impact, is considered, and the findings from example sets of case studies indicate how uses of ICT have been focused by teachers, and where potential forms of impact have arisen. The findings indicate a need for more detailed data gathering, both to provide evidence that will offer a greater insight into specific aspects of learning that are supported when certain forms of ICT are used, and to give an indication of gaps in learning focus that might arise. From the results of the analyses presented, implications for policy, practice, evaluation and research are highlighted and discussed. (Contains 2 figures, 3 tables, and 2 notes.)
My Comments on this article…
I think that this article discusses some very good points. The first point that I like is the mention of the “leap of faith” in using technology in learning. I think that this is a very important point – educators need to use technology to adapt to students’ various learning styles and to make learning engaging and interesting.
Enhancing your WordPress Weblog
To add features to your blog such as the sidebar with a link to your del.icio.us account, access your WordPress Admin area (eg, go to create a new post, but do not actually post anything).
1. Click “Presentation” up the top.
2. Click “widgets” on the sub menu.
3. Go to the bottom of the widgets page and drag items into the sidebar, such as del.icio.us
4. Click the icon next to the item you have added and edit the properties, such as the URL to your del.icio.us account (eg http://del.icio.us/mashton2)
5. Click SAVE CHANGES and the new items will appear on your wordpress blog.
Hey Jude!
A wordpress weblog, Hey Jude!, acts as an excellent example of how a blog can be used effectively. Instead of just plain text, this blog contains images, videos, hyperlinks, audio and a PowerPoint presentation.
The blog incorporates several Web 2.0 tools, such as what I mentioned above as well as a link to del.icio.us. Both her blog and del.icio.us account are very organised, and I believe that being organised with blogs and del.icio.us accounts is critical. If using these tools in the classroom, it is important that students can quickly locate information and links. Technology is there to help us save time and be more efficient. Using a blog, wiki, del.icio.us account or any Web 2.0 tool that is not organised and all over the place, might as well not be used.
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