Here is the Link to the Prezi presentation if you cannot download it.
http://prezi.com/ngy0jzbbtvbt/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
http://prezi.com/ngy0jzbbtvbt/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
Welcome to Michael Moynihan's Learning Journey |
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Here is the Link to the Prezi presentation if you cannot download it.
http://prezi.com/ngy0jzbbtvbt/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
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Technology today is changing exponentially, and the use of the technology has spread to all corners of the globe. The platforms that are being developed to support the technology are still in their infancy. As the internet is providing greater access to educational opportunities, cloud tools are providing educators with tolls to instruct, engage and inspire their students. Although the cloud and cloud computing has been around for more than a decade, educators are beginning to use cloud tools with their students as learning tools. YouTube, as a platform for video sharing, would be a great tool to edit and store video lesson that my students could access 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world. The best part is that students can play, rewind or fast-forward as many times as they needed to. Meagan Meehan (2012) points out that YouTube is “reshaping how people communicate” and is allowing educators to instruct and “engage new audiences and share valuable information.”
Although there are a variety of cloud based tools that educators can use to meet the needs of their students in an online course, I have found that Google has created some very useful tools. Recently, I purchased a new Samsung tablet with a google platform. I have found it a very useful and easy to use device. With that said, I have found myself drawn to using a variety of other cloud based tools created by Google. Educators can set up “Google Apps for Education” where their tudents can save, edit, collaborate communicate and share in one place. I have found that Google drive would be a great place for students to work create and edit a shared document. By creating and sharing folders, teachers and students can work together to organize and store documents, pictures and/or a variety of media files. With a built in Google calendar, teacher can help student keep organized and manage their time. Creating a Google hangout would be a great place for students have one-on-one or group conversations about educational content. Teachers can monitor, comment or provide feedback to help direct student learning. In addition, students can post, share and plan with all members of the learning community by using Google communities. Google Forms is a great way to create an online quiz that can include multiple choice, short answer, paragraph types of questions in order to assess student learning. I certainly think that using tools like Google Apps for education would be a valuable tool because many of the tools required for effective online communication are housed in one convenient place. For online learning, Google apps for education can provide the tools needed to present, moderate and support student learning, while managing students and keeping track of their progress and performance. Educators can connect students, allow students to connect with each other and connect with the world. In addition, educators will be able to build a sense of community, inspire discourse, provide content and handle assessment. As there is a growing number of cloud based tools being offered, the difference will be in how educators use the tools to support learning. Some of the challenges I see as cloud tools evolve is trying to keep up with learning all the new technologies that are being developed. As many highly experienced educators are not familiar with technology and cloud based tools, it is difficult to have them “buy in” to the benefits of using cloud based tools in education. In addition, many families do not have the financial resources to pay for the hardware, software and the internet connection required to participate in an online learning environment. School districts themselves are struggling with the financial burden of replacing and/or updating the technology that is supposed to enhance learning. As more and more students are choosing to enroll in online courses, who will cover the cost of the hardware and software required to access the cloud tools? Low Bandwidth can be a huge drawback when trying to use cloud tools. Without a good internet connection, it will be more challenging for students to interact with cloud based tools and each other. As all students do not have the same learning styles, use cloud based tools is not for everyone. Although there are several drawbacks to using cloud based tools, there are some definite benefits to using cloud based tools. For example, Google Apps for Education can be accessed on most computers, tablets and mobile devices and from anywhere in the world at any time of the day as long as there is a good internet connection. Using the cloud as a learning tools, allows educators and students to communicate and collaborate in real time while staying connected to an abundance of content and material on the internet. Because of the accessibility, stability, security shareability, collaboration and cost effectiveness of cloud computing (Staines, 2013), many educators are delivering course content to their students more efficiently. With an abundance of cloud based tools available to educators, integrating them into an online course will become the norm. Exposing students to a variety of cloud based tools will certainly prepare them for future employment opportunities. Resources: Meehan, M. (2012, December 07). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.examiner.com/article/the-educational-benefits-of-youtube Staines, G. (2013, June 27). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://blogs.aspect.com/2013/06/27/the-benefits-of-cloud-computing-in-education-are-huge/ |