Emerging Technologies Assignments
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The document contains 3 assignments submitted by Blair Thallmayer for an online class on emerging technologies. Assignment 1 discusses a video about the history of the internet and how technology has advanced quickly. It also notes how users and their online content drive the growth of the internet. Assignment 2 reviews two online tools, Voicethread and OurStory. Voicethread allows comments in multiple media types on slideshows, which could benefit lessons. OurStory is a free interactive timeline tool for stories and history lessons. Assignment 3 consists of evaluation forms for the software tools EasyTech, Inspiration, and Zoomerang, providing details on their costs and how they could be useful in the classroom.
Emerging Technologies Assignments
- 1. Blair Thallmayer MCOM 526 Administration of Instructional Technology Online Class Emerging Technologies Assignment #1 I might be in the minority here based on the other comments but I really, really enjoyed the video. I agree with Paul that it went very fast, but to me that was what it was supposed to do because technology has changed very quickly in recent years, almost as quickly as the video moved. If I wanted to learn about the history of the internet I would definitely look somewhere else but the video did a great job of showing how quickly the internet latched onto us and grew. “The machine is us” is very straightforward to me in the sense that WE are the internet. The internet consists of computers working together, collaborating, and sharing content. Without content fed into it, it won’t be as big. The more we blog, share pictures, upload videos, etc, the bigger the internet gets, which is something that seems to be lost on people. In terms of the classroom side of everything, I definitely agree with Kathy that the internet allows teachers to step away from being the upfront know-it-alls. At the same time, though, I think it also makes it more important that the teachers really know what they are teaching. Now students can double-check what they learn in school with a few clicks. Wikis and Blogs are big resources for classrooms because they can allow students a place to learn at their own pace. Instead of trying to remember 50 minutes of information they can go check a wiki at home to re-learn it. Or, teachers can post current
- 2. events news on a blog and ask students to respond. It really just enhances the learning process. Assignment #2 Voicethread: http://voicethread.com In the pricing options, for K-12 schools, a classroom usage costs $60/yr. For the entire school, usage costs $1 per user. My rationale for purchasing this software is that it can aid the learning process in certain lesson plans as I will discuss below, but also that purchasing will grant full access instead of trial version logos everywhere. I would plan on taking full advantage of this program as opposed to merely discussing it. Voicethread seems like the next step in digital slideshows in that it allows viewers to leave comments in five different ways. Instead of just writing comments, they can upload an audio file or a video file, or simply record themselves speaking with a microphone. This then leads into more obvious uses such as allowing students to talk about what they are seeing as opposed to writing, since some students may be better at speaking than writing, with trouble formulating thoughts. I would use this in the curriculum to go over tricky math problems or lessons that might be more easily explained step by step in a slideshow. OurStory http://www.ourstory.com This program is free so no purchase rationale is required. It is basically an interactive timeline of a story, be it your life, someone else’s life, or something completely made up.
- 3. Pictures can be added, and comments can be left for specific dates, and anyone you want can collaborate with you on the story. I see this working in a classroom setting in terms of storytelling and walking through a timeline. For instance, if a student needs to write a book report or understand a history lesson, seeing a visual and interactive timeline might better the understanding. Assignment #3 Software Preview/Evaluation Forms I. EasyTech II. Zoomerang III. Kidspiration
- 4. Software Preview/Evaluation Form Teacher Name: Blair Thallmayer Building: Subject Area/Department: Math, Language Arts, Science Software Title: EasyTech Is this software web-based? Yes Is this software an annual subscription? Yes Location/room number to be installed? 202 Software cost per copy/license: 30-day free trial (nobody responded when I called/e- mailed regarding obtaining a quote). Vendor Name: Learning.com Vendor Address: 1620 SW Taylor Street Suite 100, Portland, OR, 97205 Vendor Phone Number: 1-800-580-4640 Vendor Fax Number: N/A Summary of Software: EasyTech is a tech literacy self-paced program that allows students to learn at their own pace. Current lessons can be incorporated into the program allowing students the chance to learn more or practice what they just learned whenever they feel like it. EasyTech is standards-based and fits my curriculum given that it can be used for a variety of subjects and offers discussions and activities for practice. Rationale for Purchase: Aids the in-class lessons and gives the students something to do for practice while at home on the internet.
- 5. Software Preview/Evaluation Form Teacher Name: Blair Thallmayer Building: Subject Area/Department: Math, Language Arts, Science, History, Other Software Title: Inspiration Is this software web-based? Yes Is this software an annual subscription? No, but there are software upgrades to be bought potentially each year. Location/room number to be installed? 202 Software cost per copy/license: $895/20 computer-license Vendor Name: Inspiration Software Vendor Address: 9400 SW Beaverton Hillsdale-HWY Suite 300, Beaverton, OR, 97005 Vendor Phone Number: 503-297-3004 Vendor Fax Number: 503-297-4676 Summary of Software: Inspiration is a visual and organizational software tool that allows students to really organize their thoughts when trying to complete a project. By using diagrams students can take topics discussed and gather information prior to writing their thoughts down. Rationale for Purchase: Inspiration can be a valuable comprehension and communication tool, allowing students to properly formulate thoughts.
- 6. Software Preview/Evaluation Form Teacher Name: Blair Thallmayer Building: Subject Area/Department: All subjects (Survey-based program) Software Title: Zoomerang Is this software web-based? Yes Is this software an annual subscription? Yes Location/room number to be installed? 202 Software cost per copy/license: $149/yr for Pro, $350/yr for Premium Vendor Name: Market Tools, Inc Vendor Address: 150 Spear Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA, 94105 Vendor Phone Number: 415-957-2200 Vendor Fax Number: 415-957-2180 Summary of Software: Zoomerang is an online survey programming that allows users to create surveys and obtain real results. The results of the surveys can then be transferred to powerpoint charts, skip logic, or even custom branding. Different features can be had with different subscriptions as well. Rationale for Purchase: Allowing students to take online surveys regarding the curriculum, a test, or a lesson might prevent them from feeling threatened to fill out a paper-based evaluation in the actual classroom. The results are more likely to be real.