EDU 6606 Assignment 3

1. Uses of the Internet in Teachin’ & learnin’ …in no particular order… Afful: EDU 6606 Jun 2010

2. Disclaimer I wasn’t sure if the assignment was to: A) document actual Internet-based applications geared towards teaching and learning, or B) describe the categories of what people use the Internet for with respect to learning… …So I did both!

3. Part 1: Top Ten Internet Applications

4. 1: Skype What it is (Wikipedia): software application that allows users to make voice calls over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system. Skype has also become popular for its additional features which include instant messaging, file transfer, and video conferencing. “I live on an isolated farm in outback Australia. I never thought that I could have access to one of the best music teachers in the world or even access to a teacher anywhere. But Skype came along and now distance and isolation are irrelevant. It amazes me that I’m a student at the CSM and yet I’m on a farm in Australia! Every week my teacher is magically beamed into my house to give me a lesson and my improvement and motivation have skyrocketed. Any problems with the technology are minor and you certainly get the work done. It’s 95% as good as being there in person “Margaret HarrisonMungindi, Australia

5. 2: VideoLink Pro What it is (company website): a program for different types of communication between people who are anywhere in the world and are connected to the Internet. It can be used in a local area network (LAN). You can use chat, transfer files, have audio and video conferences, record and send video messages etc. It can be connected to the videoconference address book service. http://www.videolinkworld.com

6. 3: MedMyst What it is (company website): MedMyst, short for "Medical Mysteries," is an Internet-based adventure designed with Adobe Flash® in which you are on a mission to discover the causes of diseases. As you follow clues to solve the mystery, you also are given the opportunity to explore -- chemistry, pharmacology, neuroscience, medicine, public policy, history, and more. “This was cool. I learned how other viruses could help you keep safe from other viruses. I think I'm going to keep looking at this site. It intrigues me. I felt like a real detective and I was all into it. Stellar job on this site.” Student Comment, 2010 http://medmyst.rice.edu/original/index.html

7. 4: NASA What it is: NASA has a dedicated area of its site for teachers that allows you to take advantage of all of their fantastic resources in your classroom. There is also a separate area of their site for your students. http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/index.html

8. 5: National Geographic -Xpeditions What it is (company website): Xpeditions is home to the U.S. National Geography Standards—and to thousands of ideas, tools, and interactive adventures that bring them to life. Contains Lesson Plans, Activities, Maps, and Guides http://education.nationalgeographic.co.uk/education/

9. 6: Microsoft Teacher’s Blog What it is : Great listing of educational websites…tons of ideas and links Blog posted by Kristen Weatherby http://blogs.msdn.com/b/teachers/archive/2009/07/20/planning-for-next-year-post-3-ideas-from-the-internet.aspx

10. 7: National Geographic -Xpeditions What it is (from Microsoft Teacher’s Blog): run by the Verizon education foundation in the US, and includes thousands of resources that are posted by the major education standard bodies in the US Contains Lesson Plans, Activities http://www.thinkfinity.org/?q=home

11. 8: AutoCollage What it is (from Microsoft): Photo collages celebrate important events and themes in our lives. Pick a folder, press a button, and in a few minutes AutoCollage presents you with a unique memento to print or email to your family and friends. Great for student projects http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/cambridge/projects/autocollage/

12. 9: Teach-nology What it is (from website): free and easy to use resources for teachers dedicated to improving the education of today's generation of students. Lesson Plans, Worksheets, Internet uses http://www.teach-nology.com/themes/comp/internet/

13. 10: Education World What it is: “The educator’s Best Friend”, has Lesson Plans, Worksheets, Administration links http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson230.shtml

14. Part 2: Top Ten uses of the Internet (for teaching and learning) …still in no particular order…

15. Internet uses in teaching and learning… 1. General Research: 40 million Americans use the internet as their primary source of news and information about science 87% of online users have at one time used the internet to carry out research on a scientific topic or concept. 2. Getting, completing, and submitting assignments: With the advent of distance education, receiving assignments such as this one is now a breeze… 3. Online testing: Students can take secure exams and, in some cases, get instantaneous grading results.

16. Internet uses in teaching and learning… 4. Online learning/presentation of material: the instructor now has the means to make complex visual and audio presentations to distance students Students can too! 5. Social networking/peer-to-peer grouping: although not directly related to learning, students can gather in virtual chat rooms to discuss anything 6. Professional/student consultation: “Chat rooms with a purpose” Learners grouped together can collaborate to meet a goal.

17. Internet uses in teaching and learning… 7. Review and enroll in class offerings: Students can make and take complete educational schedules without ever having to visit the campus. 8. Submit payment: Payments can be made electronically 9. Review Records: Students can order and send transcripts at any time 10. Content Creation/modification: Students can “remix” what they’ve learned, combined with their own experiences, into new schools of thought.