End of course reflection: This was the first webpage I felt confident in creating! I created link 'buttons' and added videos to a page and I had never done that with success before. I changed a bit of the wording in the tool descriptions and italicized the vocabulary used in our course content such as learner-learner, learner-content, and learner-facilitator to highlight their importance.
Description: Moodle is an online learning platform that is used as a hub for e-learning. Instructors can create classes that contain discussion boards, calendars, collaboration forums, quizzes/tests, and more. There are a variety of downloadable plug-ins that can be utilized to individualize the teacher's online classroom. The tools that can be utilized in Moodle continue to expand as the need for online learning grows.
Connection: Teachers can create forums in which they can interact with their students, and students can interact with each other. Messages can be sent openly in the discussion forum, or as private messages. Teacher's can also upload or create materials for their online classroom via Moodle. Students have the ability to access their materials at any time. They may also turn in coursework and take quizzes/tests via Moodle as well. Moodle allows for learner-facilitator communication in a public discussion forum as well as a private forum through messaging, as well as learner-learner communication via discussion boards. Moodle also provides students access to the content of their coursework which is a great example of the learner-content model in online instruction.
Rationale: Moodle is an expanding online classroom program. It was designed to support the constructivism theory in education which involves student-guided learning. Moodle is relatively easy to use and understand, and can be used at any time of the day or night. Moodle even has a mobile app that teachers and students can utilize to access information. Moodle is also free!
Moodle video!
Connection: Teachers can create forums in which they can interact with their students, and students can interact with each other. Messages can be sent openly in the discussion forum, or as private messages. Teacher's can also upload or create materials for their online classroom via Moodle. Students have the ability to access their materials at any time. They may also turn in coursework and take quizzes/tests via Moodle as well. Moodle allows for learner-facilitator communication in a public discussion forum as well as a private forum through messaging, as well as learner-learner communication via discussion boards. Moodle also provides students access to the content of their coursework which is a great example of the learner-content model in online instruction.
Rationale: Moodle is an expanding online classroom program. It was designed to support the constructivism theory in education which involves student-guided learning. Moodle is relatively easy to use and understand, and can be used at any time of the day or night. Moodle even has a mobile app that teachers and students can utilize to access information. Moodle is also free!
Moodle video!
Description: VoiceThread is an online collaboration tool that utilizes the human characteristics of speaking and listening while communicating. Those that enter VoiceThread can use voice, text, and video in which to communicate with each other. Files can be uploaded so that students can collaborate in an online setting.
Connection: VoiceThread would be utilized in more a learner-learner setting. Students can see or hear the real emotion while communicating using VoiceThread. This is a technique that tends to be lost in the written word, and often times meanings are misinterpreted due to this missing piece. VoiceThread attempts to bridge that gap in collaboration by creating this unique experience.
Rationale: Although I will admit this is a tool I know little about, it is a tool I would consider researching and possibly using in my online classroom. The audio/video piece during collaboration is such a vital asset when creating that connecting experience. This tool also supports the constructivist theory in education, and it also allows those with disabilities to be better involved in the online setting.
Connection: VoiceThread would be utilized in more a learner-learner setting. Students can see or hear the real emotion while communicating using VoiceThread. This is a technique that tends to be lost in the written word, and often times meanings are misinterpreted due to this missing piece. VoiceThread attempts to bridge that gap in collaboration by creating this unique experience.
Rationale: Although I will admit this is a tool I know little about, it is a tool I would consider researching and possibly using in my online classroom. The audio/video piece during collaboration is such a vital asset when creating that connecting experience. This tool also supports the constructivist theory in education, and it also allows those with disabilities to be better involved in the online setting.
Description: Weebly is a tool that can be used to create websites. Teachers or students can create informational text, surveys, and blogs. They can also upload works, sound bits, or videos.
Connection: Weebly can be a learner-teacher, learner-learner, or a learner-content tool. The student or teacher can create information on the weebly site that can be easily utilized in the online setting. Blogs can be used as communication pieces.
Rationale: Although not the best collaboration tool, I do like that the student or teacher can have more control over the information that is put out, for those that are invited, to see. I like the idea of a blog as a form of discussion that the owner of the site can control. This is a simple tool that I would consider using in my f2f class as well as an add-on to an online class so that students have another medium in which to showcase their knowledge.
Connection: Weebly can be a learner-teacher, learner-learner, or a learner-content tool. The student or teacher can create information on the weebly site that can be easily utilized in the online setting. Blogs can be used as communication pieces.
Rationale: Although not the best collaboration tool, I do like that the student or teacher can have more control over the information that is put out, for those that are invited, to see. I like the idea of a blog as a form of discussion that the owner of the site can control. This is a simple tool that I would consider using in my f2f class as well as an add-on to an online class so that students have another medium in which to showcase their knowledge.