Cloud Computing

By far for me this seems like the most confusing form of technology to follow.  After watching the videos and reading the articles it made more sense, but up until now I've never formally heard of cloud computing.  I actually had to reread and re watch some of the articles and videos.  After looking at the educational clouds it all made more sense and I was able to see all of the many helpful tools an educator has access to.  According to the 2010 Horizon Report: K12 Edition it was difficult to find examples of the use of cloud computing in schools a year ago, there are now many, many schools that have adopted cloud-based tools for productivity, scheduling, curriculum development, and collaboration, at least at the administrative level.  I've also learned from the YouTube video Cloud Computing Explained that cloud computing can offer significant cost savings in IT support, software, and hardware expenses.  With the descriptions that I followed this seems like a very valuable tool for teachers, administrators, and older students to use.  There are quite a few examples of how these groups of adults and students use cloud computing.  I definitely see the advantages of cloud computing for schools and why it makes it an attractive option for many schools.  It also makes more sense when given real examples of how this technology is being used and that is successful. 
After exploring the educational clouds it was easy to find many that would be beneficial in a classroom.  There were so many outlets, which then led to more options, it seemed never ending.  Three of the sites I chose were Ficly, Museum Box, and School Town.  Ficly is a wonderful site for creative writing.  It allows students to build on another story or start their own.  I know personally my students are not big fans of writing.  This would be a great site to introduce them to because it is only short pieces of writing, and it allows them to be as creative as they want.  They are also able to add to another story or start another story, whatever they want.  So many possibilities, plus they get to be on a computer instead of writing on paper.  Museum Box is a site that provides the tools for you to build up an argument or description of an event, person or historical period by placing items in a virtual box. What items, for example, would you put in a box to describe your life; the life of a Victorian Servant or Roman soldier; or to show that slavery was wrong and unnecessary?  History and Social Studies are interesting subjects and so much can be done with them.  This is a great idea because it allows students to pick something that  interests them and then they research and add information from websites or books.  The last site that I chose is School Town.  Students learn in a multimedia rich portal where all courses, assignments, events, announcements, discussions, chat forums, files and portfolio are seamlessly presented and archived. Students collaborate and learn to be good cyber-citizens.  This is a beneficial site because students, teachers, and parents have all the same information and know what is expected.  And what students will enjoy and benefit most from is that it's all done on computers, which most are already savvy with.

Blogging & Twittering

I've done so much reading this week, but it seems that it all makes sense after reading about what blogging and twittering are.  I've learned that blogging is far faster than reading about regular news or information that may take up to a day to read about.  Blogging is designed or targeted to a specific audience based on interests.  It allows people to share news or information with anyone that is interested in reading.  Blogs are easy to follow and they are in order of posts.  I think the best part about blogs is that they are a two way street of communication, blogs are written and then comments can be made.  This allows direct communication between the writer and the reader.  Twittering is an interesting type of communication because it helps us feel connected to the world.  I've learned that it starts with a simple question: What's happening?  This question allows us to share bite size updates every day and share short posts with friends, family, and co-workers.  It allows us to learn new information about the people that we are following or keep updated on the networks we choose to follow.  I like that the updates are short and easy to read.
Blogging
Most everyone these days have a way to communicate online.  With today's technology it is easy to see why blogging has become so popular and helpful.  Blogging is a valuable and relevant piece of technology in classrooms.  In 2009 Horizon Report it stated that developments are creating more ways for users to work anytime and anywhere and these tools are finding their way into homes and classrooms.  Blogging allows teachers and students to connect in the classroom because of the wide spread of news and information that can be shared.  The open communication of blogging allows students to move past the classroom and connect with peers around the world.  This gives them the opportunity to access an endless stream of possibilities.
Twittering
I think if twittering is done the right way it can be a very valuable and relevant tool.  According to The New York Times twittering is a brilliant channel for breaking news, asking questions, and attaining one step of separation from public figures you admire.  No other communications channel can match its capacity for real-time, person-to-person broadcasting.  Twittering is a form of instant messaging to me.  Everyone does some form of instant messaging, online or texting.  If supervised and done appropriately, twittering can be a useful tool in the classroom instead of a distraction.  There are so many networks that could be used on Twitter in the classroom.  These networks would allow students and teachers to keep updated on news, events, and stay connected with people around the world.  It would allow students to see the world through new eyes.
Twitter network
I plan on following the NCAA softball network.  I coach softball and I love the game.  I would love to read what anyone has to say about the sport.  Softball season is going to start very soon and it would be nice to keep updated with events and scores around the nation.