Google sites are free and instructions are easy to follow to create your own website and add pages. For years people have made a lot of money specializing in creating websites. Now anyone has the opportunity to design and build their own. It requires obtaining a google account which is also free.
Directions include information on how to get people to your site, making sure you have links for others to follow and not cluttering the pages with information that is not useful.
Most of us do not see any reason to own a website, but one of the benefits is that people can follow us without feeling like we are overwhelming them with emails or other unwanted messages.
Today the many facets of media are overwhelming. Trying to determine the best way of staying in touch can be daunting. It looks as though you can link any of the ways we have studied in this class to a website. The ability to download pictures, locations, maps, documents, graphs, and whatever else is deemed necessary, to one location through links, pages or both; gives all of us the ability to be and look professional whether it is on a personal or business level.
The educational aspect is available to all without spending the money or obtaining the degree. It doesn’t make the professor less productive or conducive to the learning environment. It does give the undesirable person the opportunity to cause more frustration because they think they know it all.
http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=40349
http://www.online-tech-tips.com/web-site-tips/how-to-create-your-own-google-sites-website/
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Google docs
Google docs allows editors to manage stories, updates on graphs, and information to be shared in a presentation to be stored online instead of in our computers. We can invite others to look at, edit and supply new information without adding clutter to our personal computers.
Google is easily accessible and instructs new users on how to use, and the advantages of using google docs. Creation and collaboration with others is done quick and easy. Charts can be added, deleted, or changed by authorized people.
Information can be organized and is available to import, export, and published, all from one place. Different people can be authorized access to different areas of expertise. Editors can all go to one place and edit the articles that will be published. Deadlines can be met easily.
Google would like to make people believe that they will replace Microsoft with their Google docs; however, interviews with users and speculators have indicated that most computers are set up for use with Microsoft products and changing would be expensive and involve learning all over again. Not to mention the fact that it is futuristic and not now.
Currently businesses do not use Google docs on a regular basis. They do use Microsoft for the operating systems. I can see benefits for the business and the private party, but most of us are still learning the dangers of internet sources not being secure. Anything on the web is available to anyone who knows how to find it.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/182309/google_docs_wont_topple_word_any_time_soon.html
http://docs.google.com/support/bin/topic.py?hl=en&topic=15114
Google is easily accessible and instructs new users on how to use, and the advantages of using google docs. Creation and collaboration with others is done quick and easy. Charts can be added, deleted, or changed by authorized people.
Information can be organized and is available to import, export, and published, all from one place. Different people can be authorized access to different areas of expertise. Editors can all go to one place and edit the articles that will be published. Deadlines can be met easily.
Google would like to make people believe that they will replace Microsoft with their Google docs; however, interviews with users and speculators have indicated that most computers are set up for use with Microsoft products and changing would be expensive and involve learning all over again. Not to mention the fact that it is futuristic and not now.
Currently businesses do not use Google docs on a regular basis. They do use Microsoft for the operating systems. I can see benefits for the business and the private party, but most of us are still learning the dangers of internet sources not being secure. Anything on the web is available to anyone who knows how to find it.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/182309/google_docs_wont_topple_word_any_time_soon.html
http://docs.google.com/support/bin/topic.py?hl=en&topic=15114
Social Bookmarking
Social Bookmarking gives us ways to organize, store and access informative sites for professionals and amateurs. The opportunity to add them to information you want to share with students, friends or family allows everyone access in different venues.
Teachers can use them to direct students to particular sites by adding the bookmark to an assignment. We can add them to our favorites, tag them with a title to find them again easily, and share them with anyone we want to.
Bookmarks can be tracked to know how many others are using ours or adding them to theirs. They can be a useful tool to use the bookmarks of others and not just our own. Some bookmarks can be accessed from any computer, so you have the ability to access your information, no matter where you are. You don’t have to be on the same computer every time.
People have the opportunity to make comments about the usefulness, truthfulness, or accountability of different bookmarks. Some companies automatically delete sites that are no longer available. They may remove sites that are offensive rather than containing information that is related to the subject.
If we don’t use enough tags to promote use by others, we may be limiting access to useful pages on the net, and some pages are printable. If we are looking for horses, dogs, equations, or whatever, the major sites will be accessed easily, but may not contain the information we want because of the ‘tag’ we used.
By using bookmarks we have an easier way to access the same useful information more than once, and not losing it forever because we didn’t make a note of the address.
http://websearch.about.com/od/bestwebsites/tp/freebookmarks.htm
http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7001.pdf
Teachers can use them to direct students to particular sites by adding the bookmark to an assignment. We can add them to our favorites, tag them with a title to find them again easily, and share them with anyone we want to.
Bookmarks can be tracked to know how many others are using ours or adding them to theirs. They can be a useful tool to use the bookmarks of others and not just our own. Some bookmarks can be accessed from any computer, so you have the ability to access your information, no matter where you are. You don’t have to be on the same computer every time.
People have the opportunity to make comments about the usefulness, truthfulness, or accountability of different bookmarks. Some companies automatically delete sites that are no longer available. They may remove sites that are offensive rather than containing information that is related to the subject.
If we don’t use enough tags to promote use by others, we may be limiting access to useful pages on the net, and some pages are printable. If we are looking for horses, dogs, equations, or whatever, the major sites will be accessed easily, but may not contain the information we want because of the ‘tag’ we used.
By using bookmarks we have an easier way to access the same useful information more than once, and not losing it forever because we didn’t make a note of the address.
http://websearch.about.com/od/bestwebsites/tp/freebookmarks.htm
http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7001.pdf
Social Media
Contests, big business, sports leagues, and news reporters are all using social media. We can be contestants and win prizes, find the best alternative routes when commuting, or learn the latest blemish on a celebrity at the touch of a button. Big business is finding it is easier to join the masses than it is to steer them away, and onto their own sites. Even though they aren’t getting paid, they are willing to pay for the public following they can maintain through these sites.
Social media networks are made possible because big business pays to have the following of the masses. Links allow the user to follow interesting subjects from celebrity antics to the movies they are starring in or preparing for. We can follow the trips made by our President. We can follow our friendly celebrities from sea to shining sea.
If we are taking a class and having a hard time following the text, or understanding the teacher, we can access explanations in many forms by going online. We can ask our new friends, get demonstrations from power point presentations, or ask an expert, and make appointments. We are being informed of many possibilities for feeling the way we do and even given guidelines to use to ask our doctor, or to explain to a professional the way we are feeling. By adding all of these social conveniences to make us feel special, social media is making an impact on our lives.
The world-wide-web has put so much at our fingertips that many people are becoming reclusive. They spend hours on social media networks to learn or to socialize, but forget to eat, sleep or spend time with their families.
http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSTRE5AH4ZZ20091118
http://www.socialmedia.com/
Social media networks are made possible because big business pays to have the following of the masses. Links allow the user to follow interesting subjects from celebrity antics to the movies they are starring in or preparing for. We can follow the trips made by our President. We can follow our friendly celebrities from sea to shining sea.
If we are taking a class and having a hard time following the text, or understanding the teacher, we can access explanations in many forms by going online. We can ask our new friends, get demonstrations from power point presentations, or ask an expert, and make appointments. We are being informed of many possibilities for feeling the way we do and even given guidelines to use to ask our doctor, or to explain to a professional the way we are feeling. By adding all of these social conveniences to make us feel special, social media is making an impact on our lives.
The world-wide-web has put so much at our fingertips that many people are becoming reclusive. They spend hours on social media networks to learn or to socialize, but forget to eat, sleep or spend time with their families.
http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSTRE5AH4ZZ20091118
http://www.socialmedia.com/
Social Networking
Social networking is most popular online, but can be done in person. People grouping together at school, work or in neighborhood communities, are networking in a social atmosphere. These people are sharing information about sports, hobbies, studies or anything else of interest. Friendships are made and expounded on.
With online socializing we have the opportunity to meet people in places we used to only dream of, and even learn foreign languages with natives teaching us. With that in mind, we can learn a lot about other cultures and share information as a tool in communication classes, show and tell, and even experimental studies such as searching for cures, and learning is always a good thing.
Some networking sites are known as ‘members only’ where the focus is on something particular and related to all who enter; however, traditional sites are open to anyone who wants to visit. There are dangerous situations too, such as predators of children or rich singles. People pretend to be what they are not to gain trust and access to personal information. They can use information to steal identities and to infect computers with viruses.
One of the fastest growing ways to infect computers is by linking them to gadgets such as calendars that many of us use as tools to help keep us organized or on top of what’s happening. We all like to stay informed and have information available to use at the drop of a pin, so we search for ways to stay abreast. Unfortunately predators prey on our desires to be well informed.
http://www.whatissocialnetworking.com/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/08/AR2008080803671.html
With online socializing we have the opportunity to meet people in places we used to only dream of, and even learn foreign languages with natives teaching us. With that in mind, we can learn a lot about other cultures and share information as a tool in communication classes, show and tell, and even experimental studies such as searching for cures, and learning is always a good thing.
Some networking sites are known as ‘members only’ where the focus is on something particular and related to all who enter; however, traditional sites are open to anyone who wants to visit. There are dangerous situations too, such as predators of children or rich singles. People pretend to be what they are not to gain trust and access to personal information. They can use information to steal identities and to infect computers with viruses.
One of the fastest growing ways to infect computers is by linking them to gadgets such as calendars that many of us use as tools to help keep us organized or on top of what’s happening. We all like to stay informed and have information available to use at the drop of a pin, so we search for ways to stay abreast. Unfortunately predators prey on our desires to be well informed.
http://www.whatissocialnetworking.com/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/08/AR2008080803671.html
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Podcasting
Podcasts are like a talking blog. They are titled by episodes and downloadable, as well as erasable. Your computer or portable audio player needs to have the necessary capability, much like the way we use Adobe for viewing pdf files. For podcasts, the format is used for publishing things that are regularly updated and is called Really Simple Syndication. RSS allows new releases to be downloaded automatically, or at your request. Podcasts have been around a few years but exploded in the early 2000’s.
Podcasts come in all flavors; music, books on tape, educational or self help, with or without access to reviews, and easily accessible through directory listings. If we find a company that we trust such as Yahoo, we can access podcasts through them or we can jump around and use many companies that carry podcasts.
Learn out loud claims they listen to and select the podcasts they believe offer the most beneficial information for the subject you have requested.
In my research I found that when we sign up for podcasts, we are usually directed to enter our credit card number. This is solely for the purpose of purchasing material, but we can listen to the podcast for free.
The blind or elderly could benefit from this technology with the help of younger family members. Teachers could use this technology for teaching the blind and disabled, reading books to an entire elementary classroom while grading papers, or preparing another lesson. Parents could use this as a means of entertaining children, reading bedtime stories, or listening to an assignment for their child while doing chores, and the list goes on.
http://www.learnoutloud.com/Podcast-Directory
http://podcast.tengoldenrules.com/
Podcasts come in all flavors; music, books on tape, educational or self help, with or without access to reviews, and easily accessible through directory listings. If we find a company that we trust such as Yahoo, we can access podcasts through them or we can jump around and use many companies that carry podcasts.
Learn out loud claims they listen to and select the podcasts they believe offer the most beneficial information for the subject you have requested.
In my research I found that when we sign up for podcasts, we are usually directed to enter our credit card number. This is solely for the purpose of purchasing material, but we can listen to the podcast for free.
The blind or elderly could benefit from this technology with the help of younger family members. Teachers could use this technology for teaching the blind and disabled, reading books to an entire elementary classroom while grading papers, or preparing another lesson. Parents could use this as a means of entertaining children, reading bedtime stories, or listening to an assignment for their child while doing chores, and the list goes on.
http://www.learnoutloud.com/Podcast-Directory
http://podcast.tengoldenrules.com/
Photo Sharing
With photo sharing everyone has the opportunity to save and share their photos for free with the ability to edit them. The sites I visited states that the storage is unlimited and because the service is free, this is a useful tool for everyone. There is no danger of losing precious moments through uncontrollable circumstances such as a fire or flood. This is impressive for me since we burned out when I was a child, and lost all of the memorabilia we had gathered over the years.
Photos can be placed in virtual albums for organization by subject, date, location or a combination. We have the ability to place tags on photos so we can name people in the photo, and share them with family, friends, or strangers. For a fee, we have the opportunity to have unique gifts made for family, friends and loved ones through this medium.
I am not sure how a teacher could use this effectively unless they were to use the pictures in a video documentary, or as stills, and then ask students to identify with the country, culture, or whatever they were using for a student report project.
The opportunity to make the pictures available for public access allows others to comment on their own experiences, or ask if you also saw another nearby point of interest.
I was impressed with the flexibility of these sites and the many opportunities available to everyone that has internet access. You don’t even have to own your own camera!
http://www.flickr.com/
http://www.snapfish.com/info17?s_kwcid=photo%20sharing|2603540033
Photos can be placed in virtual albums for organization by subject, date, location or a combination. We have the ability to place tags on photos so we can name people in the photo, and share them with family, friends, or strangers. For a fee, we have the opportunity to have unique gifts made for family, friends and loved ones through this medium.
I am not sure how a teacher could use this effectively unless they were to use the pictures in a video documentary, or as stills, and then ask students to identify with the country, culture, or whatever they were using for a student report project.
The opportunity to make the pictures available for public access allows others to comment on their own experiences, or ask if you also saw another nearby point of interest.
I was impressed with the flexibility of these sites and the many opportunities available to everyone that has internet access. You don’t even have to own your own camera!
http://www.flickr.com/
http://www.snapfish.com/info17?s_kwcid=photo%20sharing|2603540033
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