Google Applications

When most people think of google, they may think of just a search engine. Well, this has changed in many ways. Google has numerous applications that allow users to create, collaborate, and stay connected almost anywhere. With apps such as Google Hangouts where you can have a group video chat, or Google Drive where you can save all your documents in one place allowing access virtually anywhere. The amount of benefits for this are limitless, is yet one more way to stay connected to their peers, and work.

Collaborative Editing

What was once limited to a single individual, proofreading, and editing a peers work has evolved into real time editing where individuals can simultaneously make changes, and also see who else is working on the document. This creates a dynamic of students working as a group and multitasking together.  Collaborative editing programs have made this possible, and will continue to be trademarks of the learner of the future.

The Social Web

From Facebook to Twitter, the web is becoming a way to socialize in different formats. This is allowing new ways to connect, and creating more personable relationships. What was once limited to the classroom and its walls, has evolved to video broadcasting, and virtual classrooms. The future of the web is exciting and changing everyday, not only will students be more intrigued about learning in new styles. They will also be getting experience in using the tools that will more than likely be used in their chosen career paths.

Facebook Page for your Class

Facebook has taken the world by storm, creating ways for people, businesses, and other forms of entities to connect with one another. This can also be a way to create a virtual classroom, and discussion board, for educators to connect outside the classroom. With features such as photo, and video upload capabilities, this can also be a way for parents to see student projects, and view their students participation levels in the class. Parents can also have a easier way to communicate with the teacher.

New Ways to Research

Academic research is a necessity for almost every student in every classroom. With the technology available today such as; youtube, wikipedia, and other educational sites, this has become much easier. Not only can students access information at faster rates, the can find more relevant info, and more of it. Allowing a learning experience that is new, more informative, and up to date, with the ever moving world we live in.

Wikis for Students

Wikispaces may be a term that is new to most, but has become very popular over the last 5 years, especially with the popularity of Wikipedia. In the past we were limited to encyclopedias, and the library to find information on whatever topic we chose to learn about. Wiki's have changed this in a great way, allowing information to uploaded and edited almost instantly. Allowing a form for students, educators, or enthusiasts to update,  and create valuable information for others to use.

Voice Over Internet Protocol

Instant Messaging for Educators

Instant Messaging allows communication in real time allowing student/student or student/educator to stay connected. This is not limited to just text, users can send attachments, including; images, video, or audio files. Which in turn creates an environment where the classroom is always connected, and allowing students access to the technology they might use in a real world environment.

Youtube and Education

Youtube has quickly become an avenue for millions of people around the world to express their ideas, and share videos of many different forms. With that being said educators are starting to realize that this also applies to the classroom. This gives the students a way to step out of their traditional learning styles, and become interested in new ways. Allowing the student to create becoming there own authors, or simply to heighten their ability to learn a lesson that they had trouble with on the chalkboard.

Digital StoryTelling and Wikispaces

Through the years traditional story telling has changed in many ways. Before the availability of computers, cameras, podcasts, and slide shows, storytelling relied on a facial expressions, voice, and person to person, or person to group demonstrations. With the technology available it takes story telling to new heights, allowing more creative approaches using animation, and video to express our views. There are many free editing tools, allowing almost anyone with a computer or camera to begin there story telling experience.

Twitter in The Classroom

The ever evolving world of communication has changed. This has been seen dramatically with the way we connect with others. Allowing us a great chance to improve the way we can evolve our relationships with students. Creating opportunities that were once harder to establish,  making it much easier for a personal bond, and allowing educators to relate and learn more about them."Twitter makes staying in touch and sharing announcements super simple and even fun, These ideas offer a great way to put the tool to good use." (fluency.com)  2013. 

Metacognitive Blogging

There are many forms of communication with the new technology available, with that being said it is very important for us to be able to freely express ideas via: blogs, wikis, and podcasts. Metacognitive Blogging provides a way for ideas to be formed via the SuperUser ,"Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts"(2013), allowing other group users to add to the material. Creating a communication platform that is up to date, open and all the while engaging the reader, who in turn becomes the writer. "Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms" (2013)