Voice threads

Voicethread provides several outlets for communication from the instructor.  These include phone, web cam with microphone, text uploads.  This type of site can be utilized by a single instructor, a department or an educational site.  Through voicethread instructors and students can respond to information presented.  Students and instructor can present statements, ask questions and respond to information being presented. There is a small fee for this use.  The cost for one instructor and fifty students is 99.00 dollars.  The site collates all the groups information for easy access and interaction.  This type of site would be an excellent choice for in class, online and blended courses.  The greatest advantage with this choice is the collation of information happens at the site level which increases convenience for the instructor.
                                                                            Reference:
ed.voicethread.com

Video slide shows.

Video slide show through Animoto.com is free for educational use.  This site provides the ability to provide students with presentations that include images, video clips, music and text.  With this application teachers can add music to a PowerPoint presentation giving them added value.  This application allows several possible access sites. These include Face book, YouTube, personal blogs and downloading to a DVD.  Down loading to a DVD allows great portability.  The instructor can take the presentation with them almost anywhere.  The instructor can also provide covered information to a student who misses the presentation when initially presented.
                                                                           Reference:
Animoto.com

Cell Phones as a communication device for students and instructors.

The utilization of cell phones has become so common place that students and instructors alike depend on them as a communication device.  Instructors can utilize them to inform students of assignments, class changes or cancellations.  With smart phones you can look up medications, diagnosis, normal lab values and much more.  While the use of cell phones has become common place for many I must caution uses about possible HIPPA and liability issues.  You should never take pictures with your cell phone in the clinical setting.  If you do and you post any information related to the person even something as simple as where the picture was taken can result in a liability issue with your employer or school.  Also many facilities have a no cell phone policy.  This has become an issue to the point that some business have mad it against policy to have your cell phone in the building at all.  Ensuring that you protect those you are trusted to care for in very important and proper cell phone use is a integral part of the nurse responsibility.

                                                                       Reference
www.natcom.org/CommCurrentsArticle.aspx?id=1970

Survey Monkey

Survey Monkey can be utilized to assess student feedback related to the effectiveness of presentations.  There is a small fee for each completed survey.  This cost may need to be a part of the students tuition cost if utilized exclusively by the institution where you provide education.  Survey monkey can be set up to be accessible to a specific group or to a vague group.  When choosing how to survey students for responses it is important to take into consideration the cost and who is responsible for paying the cost of the completed surveys.  Check out survery monkey in a web search.  Do you think it is a good site or can the same job be accomplised with out the added cost of utilizing this site?  Let me know what you think.

Voki

http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=5420192&height=267&width=200

Accessing this site you will be able to see and hear a voki I published.  Give it a try.  It was actually fun to do.

I attemted to attach the voki and was unable to do so.  Click on the URL above to see the voki I created.

Classroom technology integration.

I have found an article titled "Integrating Technology in the Classroom"  written by W. A. Fryer in this article he provides access to articles, strategies, digital storytelling examples, handouts, reference websites and online PowerPoint presentations related to integration of technology into the classroom.  He also provided information about digital discipline which is important in any class room setting.  To access this site go to www.wesfryer.com.  Another site that I accessed provides free downloads of templates which can be downloaded and converted to fit the course you are teaching.  this site is http://www.educationworld.com.  Try these sites and let me know what you think about them, if they are appropriate for us in integrating technology into the adult classroom.

Voki and Avatars

Voki and avatars are technological ways in which you can provide information in an animated process which can add fun and intertainment to any presentation.  A site to check out is www.voki.com  from this site you can choose a Avatar then type into your computer what you want to say and the computer will animate your choice including voice and movement.  By using this method it will provide a means of adding amination to a presentation that could be simply words on a page.  Check out the site and have fun creating your Avatar.

References
www.voki.com
Blog@voki.com

Utilizing YouTube to enhance a Power point presentation.

Utilizing YouTube to locate video's that enhance a power point presentation can be very inspiring.  Go to YOUTUBE enter your search word then preview the presentations to choose the one best suited to your PowerPoint.  Steps needed to embed a YouTube can be found by typing in search for embedding YouTube to PowerPoint presentation.  I found it challenging to actually embed the selection from YouTube.  I had to run the process three times to get it embedded and saved.  This technique can add information, graphics, animation, and visual activities which support your presentation.  The steps I used are:  In you PowerPoint have your curser on the slide where you want the YouTube embedded, click on developer, click on Hammer/Wrench icon, click on shockwave, click ok, Click on properties, on movie tab insert URL address from YouTube,  in the URL delete the word watch and ? mark then delete the = sign and add the/ sign, click on embed and change to true, click in box of slide where you want the YouTube to be and click F5 then save.  Following these steps you should be able to attach and embed your YouTube selection to your powerpoint presentation.  Have fun checking out the YouTube presentations that are available.  ( you may have to download shock wave if you do not all ready have it on your system)
Reference
http://www.youtube.com

Wikis

Wikis are a site which you can create and invite others to post to the same site.  By doing this multiple people can communicate about a topic they are all interested in.  Wikis are a great way to connect with others who have the same interest as you.  In this manner you can share you ideas, information or seek information from others.  A great idea for a communication site where multiple people with like interest to come together.  A web site that will help you get started is Wikis@wetpaint.com, check it out and let me know what you think.

References:
Diaz, V.D., McGee, P. (2007) Wikis and podcast and blogs, Oh my! What is a faculty member to do? EDUCAUSE Review, 42(5). 28-41.
Wikis@wetpaint.com

Technologies in education.

Technology in education is growing in leaps and bounds.  Choosing the right technology for the class being presented, instructors knowledge and comfort level as well as the students access is very important. When considering the type of technology that is best suited to the classroom setting and the information being presented requires an understanding as to how the information will be retrieved and how it will be used.  I will utilize this blog to look at different types of technology and how they may be utilized in teaching.  The first type of technology I want to discuss is Interactive web rooms.   Interactive web rooms provide instructors the ability to connect with different colleges or universities and have an interactive exchange between speakers and the students.  In this manner students in the United States can interact with a professor in China.  Having this capability brings exciting new avenues for professors to have exchanges with specialist in the area the student are studying.  Membership with TheNITLE Network is one option that will allow this type of interaction. The site is http://www.nitle.org.  This is  a free site that colleges and instructors can join and interact with other colleges or universities.  Having access to this type of technology opens up educational opportunities.

Another area that is up and coming in technology educational opportunity involves Virtual communities of practice.  Utilizing this technology effectively can open up the areas of communition, collaboration, documemtation and generation information to share with classmates and instructors.  This type of technology enhances the felling of community between students and faculty in online courses.

Reference:
http://www.nitle.org/casestudies/enhancing_curriculumNITLE.com

Wang, S.K. (2008) Journal of interactive learning.  The effects of a synchronous communication tool (Yahoo Messanger) on online learners' sense of community and their multi media skills.  retrieved from www.ncolr.org/jiol