BP3_iGoogle Screen Shots

All things are difficult before they are easy. -Thomas Fuller 

I feel this quote summarizes in so many ways my approach to cataloging tools I use on the internet. 

I've been using iGoogle for some time now, but I guess until this assignment I had not taken full advantage of all it has to offer. I typically rely heavily on my bookmarks toolbar, but I think after really getting into this assignment I will be using iGoogle to more quickly access all the things I use online. The sheer amount of "widgets" you can add to your pages is astonishing. At times the options can be overwhelming, but I think once you find something that works for you, it just makes things so much easier. 

HOME TAB

FSO TAB

CBR TAB

ETC TAB

In working on this assignment, I also stumbled across some other interesting things Google has to offer. Here's a link to Google tools for your classroom that looks interesting: http://www.google.com/educators/tools.html

and

Here's a link to Google for Educators: http://www.google.com/educators/index.html

Enjoy!!!

BP2_Qwiki

So many Web 2.0 tools....so little time. I poured over many cool Web 2.0 tools and it was hard to choose just one. Needless to say, I have saved many of them for future use.

One particular tool caught my eye as something r/evolutionary. It's called Qwiki. I'm sure everyone is familiar with Wikipedia, which is an encyclopedia of wiki pages that anyone can edit. Endless amounts of information at your fingertips with just one little click of a button and so much more to learn by following all the hypertext.

(www.qwiki.com)

I've learned a lot about brain-based learning in the last few classes along with the different learning styles and how we can teach more effectively by incorporating different elements into the classroom and in lessons. Qwiki is a great example of this. It takes Wikipedia, which is essentially a text based encyclopedia with some visuals and makes it ten times more visual and even adds an auditory element.

The founders call it an "information experience". What makes this tool unique is that a computer is compiling all the information presented. The site is currently in alpha and is taking any suggestions or  comments by users to make the site better and even more comprehensive.

Here's how it works:
1. You search:

(www.qwiki.com)

2. Qwiki does its magic. It provides you with a visual movie with images and video you can grab and use (as long as you credit the original source) and a brief spoken background on what you are researching. See it in action...

 (http://www.qwiki.com/q/#Great_Barrier_Reef)

Qwiki even provides you with links to get more information on your topic and to other Qwikis related to your topic.

(http://www.qwiki.com/q/#Great_Barrier_Reef)

I love this tool in general because I'm always looking up things on the web. I really appreciate the use of the visuals and the auditory features. This could have so many uses at my university. I envision students using this site as a starting point for their research. Although brief, the information and links to other sites provided give students a good jumping-off point to find other sources to do their research online. It also helps them in gathering visuals and movies they may want to include for their presentations. As the site continues to grow, I think its uses will multiply. I can definitely see myself using this now and in the future. I believe firmly in instilling or should I say reviving creativity in education. I think this site is a good start and is just one great example of how we can take the traditional method of something and make it even better.

As I mentioned, the site is currently in Alpha, which means it's in the beginning phases of testing. I highly suggest saving this tool in your bookmarks to use...if not now, then when it moves to beta testing. I signed up and was given an account in the same day. I was also given unlimited invites!!!
So if you'd like to try it out drop me a note....here....and I'll send one your way.

BP1_Welcome to my blog

Wesley Fryer (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wfryer/2516648940/)

Hi everyone and welcome to my blog. I can't believe it is month four already. I'm really looking forward to this class. The title, "Emergent Technologies in a Collaborative Culture," has me very intrigued.  Once again, I see we have the awesome Professor Lucas. The program has been going well so far and seems to be ramping up in the CBR project department. Hopefully, I can keep up with the pace.

I look forward to reading everyone's great posts to come and I hope to keep you thinking with some of mine.

Here's some food for thought about ideas by Alan Kay:

(video credit:http://www.ted.com/talks/alan_kay_shares_a_powerful_idea_about_ideas.html)

Ciao!!