There were many productivity tools that were listed to experiment with. Some I had heard of before and some were completely new to me. Of all the different tools I really enjoyed learning about the Pandora radio and the Dropbox files.

   I had hard of Pandora radio before but had never used it. Pandora radio is a type of radio station but the music and artists are selected for the individual’s desired styles. I think Pandora is a very clever invention. I like how you are able to pick an artist or type of music and the site would find music to shuffle that was similar to the topic selected. I think it would be very useful for celebration events and I also feel it would be a great way to discover new artists or songs you may like because of the similar style previously selected.

   The other productivity tool I learned about was the Dropbox. I think the Dropbox file is a great way to keep your documents backed up. Dropbox is used to backup files and also synchronize files. I feel it is a great tool to use because if something ever happed to your computer the files and memory wouldn’t be lost forever. They could be accessed online where they were saved. Having a backup system is vital to ensure the safety and security of files.

   I feel that there are many tools that I will be able to incorporate in both my current and future career. I really enjoyed learning about the different types of photo sharing sites. I would use the photo sharing sites for my own personal fun but I really enjoyed learning all the different tools that can be used in photos. Technologies that I feel are applicable for my current career is the Facebook fan page. I feel the Facebook fan page is a great way to inform people and keep people connected. The page I created was for my team I am coaching and I feel it has allowed me to communicate what was new and going on with our team and also comments and connections to other people who are fans. I think that twitter is also a great tool to use in my career because it is another form of social media to keep people connected and informed about what is going on with the team and its members. I also feel it is a vital tool to keep track of the team members and be sure they are representing themselves and the institution properly. 

   After reading all the articles about podcasts I really felt enlightened about them and all they can offer in education. I never had the need to use a podcast until I started my masters program because I had always simply gone to class everyday. However, I feel that podcasts could be very useful. In the article “Using Podcasts as Audio Learning Objects” they explain that podcasting may not be a new technology it has become newly innovative method of Web-based broadcasting. I agree that podcasting has become a new method that can be applied to student learning. I feel that when students have to be away for class for various activities it would be a useful tool to incorporate in classes. Having podcasts available for students would allow them to stay current with the class and not fall behind from missing classes. “Using Podcasts as Audio Learning Objectives” also explains that, the basic advantage of podcasting in education is the portability and convince of listening to learning resources anytime and anywhere without requiring extensive technical knowledge. This type of mobile learning is an advantage for the students and also makes it convenient for the teachers. 

   In the article, “History to Go: Why iTeachers with iPods” they explain that since students already use iPods for entertainment teachers should try to reach the students by playing to their strengths of this new technologically advanced generation of students. I have heard and seen schools even give out free iPods to students. Therefore, costs should not be an issue. I think the biggest problem with podcasting is the teachers. Most of the older teachers are not up on the newest and latest technology. Another issue with the new advanced technology is that some teachers don’t want to learn the new technology methods because they are used to their own ways they have done it for years and don’t want to change. Scott Sailor said, “We need to take a step toward students and start speaking their language”. The problem is not the new technology but rather the teachers who don’t know how or want to utilize it. Teachers need to understand and realize that technology and instantaneous learning is what students are becoming accustomed to and teachers need to rise to the occasion and as Scott Sailor said “speaking the language”.

I found the article “Generation Always-On” to be very interesting and insightful. The article overviews the thoughts and opinions of people about the new generation of people and the technological advances that is available to them. Are the Internet and other services going to enable or advance the next generation? I feel that there could be both. I feel the Internet and other technology has advanced the minds of children and allowed them to learn at a more rapid pace. The Internet has been a great resource for answers, information and learning. However, I feel Paul Gardener-Stephen statement about the Internet and the future generations was accurate. “The underlying issue is that they will become dependent on the Internet in order to solve problems and conduct their personal, professional, and civic lives”.

I believe the new “Generation Always-On” is going to become reliant on the technology and Internet.  I think this can effect education because the new generation may think, that without Google or other search engines, they wont be able to find answers. Many people of the young generation don’t even know how to find information in books or libraries anymore they solely depend on the Internet and the service it provides. I think the Internet also doesn’t allow for people to be as unique and creative anymore. I think the Internet provides a brilliant service to help solve problems and find answers but it doesn’t allow people to then think for themselves. They rely on others Internet ideas and input rather than trying to come up with their own individual ideas and solutions. I think the technology and Internet have been a great resource but it has also deterred problem solving and strategic thinking abilities. 

http://instagram.com/p/ZWhLNbOvNn/#

I decided to select Scoop.it! as a resource to begin following. 

I first looked into Scoop.it! because I liked that it originated in Paris. I enjoy other languages and cultures so I found it to be eye catching for me. However, I choose to select Scoop.it! because I felt it was a good resource that I found similar to another resource I use which is Pinterest. I like utilizing Pinterest because it has great ideas, pictures, and more that you can simply save by repinning. I found Scoop.it! to be very similar to Pinterest and that is why I choose to use that resource. Scoop.it! is a network of ideas and when you find one of interest you link that article, idea, or picture to your personal page of topics. I plan to use Scoop.it! as a account to enhance my learning and understanding of areas where I find particular interest. 

How has the Internet has impacted your own personal learning?

• I think the Internet has allowed me to expand my personal learning because the Internet has made learning instantaneous. I have noticed that when I have questions or am curious about topics I find myself looking it up on the Internet to get answers. Anything that I am interested in knowing or learning is a simple click away. 

What sites do you go to regularly to learn new things?

• I am constantly learning and finding answers on Google. Whenever I have questions or need to look up words I go to Google. I am also a regular learner on Translate Google. I love learning new languages and frequently find myself looking up ways to say words in other languages. I also use Easy-Bib to help me cite proper references for my papers and assignments in school. 

Are there authors or sites that you "follow?"

• To be honest I didn’t know who had founded the websites I frequently visit. Threw some research I found that Easy-Bib is sponsored and run by Imagine Easy Solutions. I learned that Image Easy Solution was co founded by Darshan Somashekar and Neal Taparia. The two men who founded Google are Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

When does the Internet or the Web help your learning, and when does it distract from good learning for you?

• I feel the Internet can be a very valuable tool. I think it offers advanced instantaneous learning. However, it can be a distraction. The world of the Internet is so big that there is a lot in its contents. With the Internet there is both good and positive aspects but there are also negative aspects. I think the Internet distracts from learning because of the videos, games, music, and more that seem to entice people more than learning. 

How do you feel about technology and learning?

• I feel that technology has enhanced learning. I have noticed children who are so far advanced in reading, writing, math and more because of the technology programs that are offered. I believe the children of the technological age are going to be intellectually advanced because of the many skills they are learning at such a young age. Some of this technology is game related but most of the children’s programs are learning based and I feel this will benefit the next generations to come.