Challenge 5

Challenge 5 is a fairly easy one to blog about because I use my cell phone Internet service for almost everything that I do on the Internet.  The only thing that my phone is not compatible with is ANGEL, which is the program that we use at the University of North Alabama for our online classes.  I use my phone to check Facebook, receive and send my emails, take pictures, record videos, surf the web, look for lesson plans, text, and communicate with whomever I need to.  Almost everyone these days have a cell phone.  Cell phones have come a long way even since I was in high school.  I can remember a day when as a high school student we were not allowed to bring a cell phone into the school, and if we did and got caught then we had to visit alternative school. Today, students are allowed to use their cell phone while at school to surf the web and email assignments.  During certain times of the day such as lunch, students are allowed to talk on their phones.  I think that there are many things that teachers can do to help students use their cell phone as an educational device.  It only makes sense to allow students to use cell phones for educational purposes.  They are going to use them anyway.  Teachers can make an assignment that requires students to record a video.  The students can work together in a group and choose where and when they want to record the video.  The teacher can select a topic and allow the students to produce a video to correspond to the topic.  The students can then post the video to YouTube or Edmodo.  Then the students can share the video with the entire class as a presentation.  Doing projects like this are very interesting for students.  It is a hands on project.  All students no matter what age enjoy working with a group doing hands on projects that they can be proud of.  I as a teach always try to incorporate projects such as this so that I can keep my students engaged and up to date with the latest technology. 

Challenge 4

Challenge 4 deals with asynchronous and synchronous tools.  There are several technological tools that are available out on the web today.  One tool that I enjoy using is Facebook.  It can be used as both tools.  It can be used as an asynchronous tool because messages can be sent that do not have to be read right away.  Posts can be made that a partner can view at a time convenient to them. It can be used as a synchronous tool because both parties can decide on a time to get onto Facebook and use the instant chat tool that Facebook provides.  Both partners can communicate at the same time.  Google Docs is also a great tool to use that can be used in both ways.  It can be used as asynchronous and synchronous.  One good thing about Google Docs is that both people or all of the people that are involved in the group have the ability to make changes and add their own personal touch to the project.  Prezi is one tool that I have personally used in one of my previous classes.  It worked great.  We were all able to collaborate at times that worked best for us.  As a group we planned a specific time that we all got online to work on our Prezi together.  The cooperation as a whole was wonderful.  We did very well on our project.  I think that with today's technology global collaboration is possible.  Technology has made a huge impact on today's generation of children.  It is amazing too see all of the possibilities that have occurred through technology.  Projects use to require students to meet after school or on the weekends face to face.  Now students have the ability to collaborate with a group in the comfort of his or her own home.  It is much more convenient for them and parents to allow the students time to work on school projects. 



HERE IS A LINK FOR GOOGLE DOCS: www.docs.google.com
HERE IS A LINK FOR FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com