Technology Assessment #3

Integrating Technology

Submitted by
Luwaina Martinez

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the course
ED355, Language Arts
Division of the School of Education
University of Guam
Mangilao, Guam

Professor: Dr. Jacqui Cyrus

December 7, 2007

FOXFIRE 2: Foxfire 2 by Mozilla is a free, fast, secure, customizable Web browser that is user driven. It takes a little time to download but the install is self contained. Web tabs make navigation quick and efficient. Foxfire 2 will suggest terms to assist the user in their search. The newly introduced “spell check” eliminates the need to compose a document in Word then post to the net. This Web browser features “session restore” to protect the user from losing valuable information as a result of unintentionally closing the site by restarting with the information, tabs and downloads, the user was using during their last session. By offering “Web Feeds (RSS)” the browser allows the user to listen to their favorite radio station live, watch a podcast of the morning news and read the Pacific Daily News at the click of a tab. There is also a special feature for Ebay users that allows them to watch the progress of their bid in real time. Search engines can be customized in an open window allowing the user to hop from one search engine to another. Sound is offered in high quality Dolby surround sound and video, dependent upon the user’s operating system, is crisp and easy to see. It also includes special Microsoft Active Accessibility for users with physical impairments. Security features include a pop-up blocker, protection from spyware, hackers, scammers, spammers, phishing, and periodically updates the security system. Foxfire 2 is user driven so it is as interesting as the user makes it. Overall, I rate it as the best Web browser available with a big (5) five.

MOODLE: An educational tool, Moodle is a free course management system that enables educators to create learning communities. The system is user friendly with navigational tools readily available and easy to use. The graphical presentation is uncluttered, with links clearly defined and accessible. There were no impairments to the audio and video interface. The site is specifically designed as a course management system thus limited to posting, linking, and uploading information and not the composition of assignments. As a student working on many different computers I found the login (gaughin.thinkingdistance.org) a bit challenging. If I couldn’t remember the URL it was difficult to find. Also, the time and date kept me in a state of panic all semester since I was never sure of the actual deadline. Overall however, it is an excellent tool for its intended educational use with a rating of (5) five.

DELICIOUS: This website is for storing, sharing and exploring the web bookmarkers of other members by allowing members to interface. The website is managed through the use of “tags” that allows members to view other sites with the same tags. Personal sites can be managed by using “bundles” to sort related tags. This site is a great asset to students and teachers alike who will find it beneficial to bookmark great websites for easy retrieval. The page format is clear, easy to read, and easy to navigate. It is not cluttered with graphics, pictures or video simply listed bookmarks with links to related sites. There are no audio or video features. It only takes a couple of seconds to add a bookmark since the user simply fills in the blanks. It is an invaluable tool with a rating of (5) five.

GOOGLE SUITE: Giant search engine Google has brought together several applications which give more flexibility to novice internet users. Google Docs is a free web-based word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation application that allows collaboration between multiple users in real time. Some of the features such as borders and background colors are a bit quirky and caused my system to become unstable. Google Page Creator is free software that allows users to design and publish their own website. I did however encounter some problems with this software. Once I published my site and went back to edit there was hypertext imbedded in my document. Also, I had some difficulty with font colors and font selection. Google Blogger allows novice users to create and manage a blog. While it is possible to insert pictures and video, text management is limited in application and does not allow features such as tables, spreadsheets, and slide shows. All of these applications can be used for educational purposes and the software is user friendly, clearly defined and easy to navigate. There were no impairments to audio and video uploads and interfaces. The material was easy to use and the graphics that were available were useful. The sites were well designed but background selections in some cases were limited. These are extremely interesting and useful tools with a rating of (5) five.

NICENET: This free classroom assistant allows student and teachers to collaborate in real time, post messages, share documents, links, and schedules. In some ways it shares common features with Moodle such as the class schedule, posting assignments and sharing links and shares other features with Google Docs, such a document sharing and real time collaboration. There are some limitations to document composition with the application capabilities specific to text. Navigation is user friendly and easy to use with no obtrusive graphics although the layout is clearly defined. There were no impairments to audio and video interface through links. The program worked perfectly with no bugs. This is a wonderful educational tool with a rating of (4) four.

PROTOPAGE: This free easy to use website developed by Ajax provides novices users with the ability to develop a personal website customized to fit their active lifestyle. Protopage can run live feed from radio and television stations, and play podcasts while posting current weather conditions in your area. In addition, there is a calendar, a “to due” list, sticky notes, hyperlinks, bookmarks, a preview of your email inbox, a window for search engines and much more through the use of “widgets.” The site even features a virtual puppy! Clearly an invaluable tool for any student or instructor to keep track of assignments, notes, meetings, projects, and due dates. Navigation was easy enough for me to upload a live feed from the local television and radio stations. The graphics are note cards the user can customize them to meet their needs. Audio and video links were clear and without impairments. While the website was created for individual use, I think it has greater potential and could be used as a classroom assistant or classroom management system. This awesome website gets a rating of (5+) five plus.

YACKPACK: This free messaging system provides a private and secure space for members to talk to one another either in real time or recorded for later listening. Specifically, this is an invaluable tool for students who speak a language other than English to practice speaking and listening to themselves and others. The instructor can explain assignments, post lectures while students collaborate with YackPack. There was no download, simple a log in and begin. Easy to use and navigate the site can be used for distance learning, storytelling and lectures, and providing feedback to students. This is a great site for its intended purpose of listening and speaking and I give it a rating of (5) five.

DIIGO: This site enables a user to collect, share and interact on online information from anywhere. Similar to the features found in Delicious with bookmark sharing Diigo offers additional features that can be off assistance to teachers and students. Specifically, the ability to cut and annotate online documents would prove invaluable to the making note of certain features on a particular site. For example, if you wanted to cut a section out of a journal to use in a paper you could note the URL for later inclusion in references. Also, it would be helpful in making notes for lesson plans. The Diigo tool bar makes navigation easy and the website is uncluttered and easy to use. There are no audio or video features specifically associated with the site although it is necessary to download the toolbar to use it. This is optional and an alternative call “Diigolet” offers use of the site without downloading the tool bar. A great tool for educators, based on the site’s intended function, I rate this site as a (5) five.