Technology+Toolbox

The collection of technology tools included in Web 2.0 which were introduced in during instruction in EDUC 538 are impressive tools I could use in my classroom. Prior to implementing such technology, I experimented with a variety of tools to assess their applicability. Using a likert scale of 1 – 5, I evaluated a variety of Tools for usability, cost, instructional worth, safety & security, and compatibility. 1 Can’t figure out 5 I get it! || Could I figure out how to use tool in //reasonable time// without seeking help? Would the students be able to navigate the tool? || 1Overdraws account 5 Free! || Is the tool free or something I can fit in my budget? || 1 Not happening   5 Huge wow factor  || Can I think of at least 3 ways to use the tool – would it wow the students? || 1 Too risky 5 Very Safe || How would program and students be protected, if tool was used? Passwords, || 1 Doesn’t work 5 Works well || Could I use the tool in classroom with existing computer / technology equipment? || __#1 Aggregator__ - Bloglines
 * ** Criteria ** ||  ** Rating Scale **  ||  ** Basic evaluation question **  ||
 * Usability || ** 1 2 3 4 5 **
 * Cost || ** 1 2 3 4 5 **
 * Instructional worth || ** 1 2 3 4 5 **
 * Safety & Security || ** 1 2 3 4 5 **
 * Compatibility || ** 1 2 3 4 5 **
 * Tool Assessment **
 * ** Criteria ** ||  ** Rating Scale **  ||  ** Basic evaluation question **  ||
 * Usability || 4  || Added widgets quickly and easily ||
 * Cost || 5  || Free! ||
 * Instructional worth || 4  || Some content more applicable to organizational helps, establishment of RSS feeds would bring new data to me! RSS feeds would be good way to share information with students. ||
 * Safety & Security || 4  || Password protected ||
 * Compatibility || N/A  || Widgets more informational and data collecting ||
 * 1) 2 Social Bookmarking – Delicious.com
 * ** Criteria ** ||  ** Rating Scale **  ||  ** Basic evaluation question **  ||
 * Usability || 5  || Simple to search and find items. ||
 * Cost || 5  || Free! ||
 * Instructional worth || 5  || Numerous bookmarks to medical information – would just need to watch for validity of information ||
 * Safety & Security || 4  || Sign in, sign out, password ||
 * Compatibility || 4  || Articles in text format ||
 * 1) 3 Internet Search Tools – Search.com
 * ** Criteria ** ||  ** Rating Scale **  ||  ** Basic evaluation question **  ||
 * Usability || 5  || Easy to search and there are a variety of search engines available ||
 * Cost || 5  || FREE! ||
 * Instructional worth || 4  || Seems useful and accesses educational sites ||
 * Safety & Security || 4  || Seems safe ||
 * Compatibility || N/A  || Search engine rather than something to import / export ||
 * 1) 4 Webstart – PageFlakes
 * ** Criteria ** ||  ** Rating Scale **  ||  ** Basic evaluation question **  ||
 * Usability || 4  || Arrange and add multiple feeds on one page ||
 * Cost || 5  || Free – if want just basic features ||
 * Instructional worth || 3  || Could set up for students blogging – would prefer to use Angel discussion board for more efficient tracking ||
 * Safety & Security || 4  || Sign In, Sign out, password ||
 * Compatibility || N/A  || Blogging tool – no real need for compatibility ||
 * 1) 5 Weblogs – Blogging – Edublogs
 * ** Criteria ** ||  ** Rating Scale **  ||  ** Basic evaluation question **  ||
 * Usability || 5  || Fairly easy to use and could offer place to communicate with students ||
 * Cost || 5  || Free ||
 * Instructional worth || 4  || Not sure if would work for distance learning ||
 * Safety & Security || 5  || Sign In / Sign Out, Password ||
 * Compatibility || N/A  || No real need for import / export type of capability ||
 * 1) 6 Wikispace
 * ** Criteria ** ||  ** Rating Scale **  ||  ** Basic evaluation question **  ||
 * Usability || 4  || Not too difficult, but still working on learning ways to use ||
 * Cost || 5  || Free with email address ||
 * Instructional worth || 5  || Excited about using as site to connect with students and post case studies ||
 * Safety & Security || 4  || Seems safe – sign in & out & password protected ||
 * Compatibility || 5  || Easy to upload documents, can export in excel file format ||
 * 1) 7 Web-based word processing – Google docs
 * ** Criteria ** ||  ** Rating Scale **  ||  ** Basic evaluation question **  ||
 * Usability || 4  || Good for students that don’t have other document creator ||
 * Cost || 5  || Free with valid email account ||
 * Instructional worth || 4  || Offers student option to get work in electronic format ||
 * Safety & Security || 5  || Options to how save or publish – public or private ||
 * Compatibility || 4  || Seems exportable, savable ||


 * 1) 8 Web-based spreadsheets & Databases - Google
 * ** Criteria ** ||  ** Rating Scale **  ||  ** Basic evaluation question **  ||
 * Usability || 4  || Spreadsheets are just tough for me ||
 * Cost || 5  || Free ||
 * Instructional worth || 5  || If need for spreadsheets is in curriculum. Nice presentation option ||
 * Safety & Security || 5  || Options to how save or publish – public or private ||
 * Compatibility || 4  || Seems exportable, savable ||
 * 1) 9 Creative Writing – Fan Fiction
 * ** Criteria ** ||  ** Rating Scale **  ||  ** Basic evaluation question **  ||
 * Usability || 4  ||   ||
 * Cost || 5  || Free, but ads were annoying ||
 * Instructional worth || 3  || Wide variety of applications – books, cartoons, plays, etc. Not sure how to use in sonography ||
 * Safety & Security || 3  || Looks very public ||
 * Compatibility || 5  || OpenOffice software ||
 * 1) 10 Assessment Tools – Rubistar
 * ** Criteria ** ||  ** Rating Scale **  ||  ** Basic evaluation question **  ||
 * Usability || 5  || Very easy to develop rubric and modify to suite content. ||
 * Cost || 5  || Free! ||
 * Instructional worth || 5  || Very important to provide students with evaluation criteria to set expectations ||
 * Safety & Security || 5  || Export and use offline ||
 * Compatibility || 5  || Export as a spreadsheet, can upload as a html ||


 * 1) 11 Podcasting - Audacity
 * ** Criteria ** ||  ** Rating Scale **  ||  ** Basic evaluation question **  ||
 * Usability || 5  || Quick and easy to make recording. Need good quality microphone ||
 * Cost || 5  || Free! ||
 * Instructional worth || 3  || Most sonographic instruction would need ability to show image with audio. ||
 * Safety & Security || 3  || If uploaded, other party might have ability to edit. ||
 * Compatibility || 5  || Easy to move file from one area to another & upload ||
 * 1) 12 Screencasting - CamStudio
 * ** Criteria ** ||  ** Rating Scale **  ||  ** Basic evaluation question **  ||
 * Usability || 4  || Fairly easy – just need high quality microphone and decent camera ||
 * Cost || 5  || Free! ||
 * Instructional worth || 5  || Have real need to provide lectures or scanning instructional videos for students who unable to attend class or for review. ||
 * Safety & Security || 4  || Video downloaded and under control of system or server where stored ||
 * Compatibility || 4  || Easy to save, store ||