Thing #16, Get Organized

The start page that I used was that of Google.  I used this one because I use Google on a regular basis and I have two email accounts with them.  I will make this my permanent homepage because it is pleasing to the eye and it automatically connects me to news that interests me without bombarding me with a bunch of information that will all go unnoticed. 

The online calendar that I set up was with Google as well since I have a few accounts with Google already.  This widget will come in handy if I am connected to the internet a majority of the time. Unfortunately, I have not yet upgraded to a smart phone so the only time I am connected to the internet is when I am on my laptop.  Yet and still, this widget can still serve purpose if I find myself on the computer for an extended period of time and something has slipped my mind.  If I updated my online calendar, I will get a notice and thus, my original plan will have been salvaged. 

The online To-Do List is very convenient if you have s smart phone.  Otherwise it will not do one too much good.  It is definitely worth the time to set up if you have a mobile device to take advantage of the service though.  Too bad I am still in the “stone age” era of cellular devices. 

These applications can definitely serve a great purpose, especially, if you have them via smart phone.  Many times wireless phones and other mobile wireless devices have to-do lists and calendars built in it already, however, being able to sync your information from your phone to your laptop for easy modification or vice versa seems like a more convenient method of managing your day.  I would use these features if I had a smart phone and I would definitely recommend the use of these applications to anyone in school or who has a daily busy schedule.

Thing #15

I took the opportunity to add and edit on a wiki page.  I never knew that anybody could add and edit on certain pages like that.  I am used to being able to comment or like a post or a page; but having the power to edit and put your own stamp on a web page is pretty nice.  A wiki page can be pretty nice to use, even within the settings of a classroom or especially for a class.  It is a good way to set up discussions or collectively create a project on documenting for an area of study or research.  Even though the freedom to edit and add to a webpage is exhilarating, a level of integrity has to be guarded by a supervisor of the page.  That can be pretty hard to protect if such a large volume of people have the freedom to change the content of a webpage at will. 

I explored the APSU wiki page and I added a “Thing 9” entry.  In addition, I made a few changes to someone else’s entry.  

Thing # 14

The mind mapping website that I attempted to explore was the www.MindMeister.com.  I have never heard of a mind mapping tool before.  I was hoping that there would be some kind of demonstration video.  However, there was not.  I did not know how to get started using this application.  I was actually thoroughly disappointed.

On the other hand, Gliffy.com was very recognizable and I understood the use of it right away.  This is a great tool to create charts and diagrams to enhance the focal point of a presentation.  One can also create hierarchy trees to show relationships or to show a chain of command within a company.  Gliffy.com is also great for illustrating directions and showing the process of any given sequence of actions.  I can definitely find use with this website.  It is great.

Thing #13

I have used both of these websites (Google Docs and Zoho Writer) and they are very similar to each other.  They both allow you to compose a writing document where you can chose from a slim selection of font styles (compared to Microsoft Word).  They both seem to use similar formulas to execute certain operations within a spreadsheet document and they share nearly identical template as well.  One way that Google docs triumphs Zoho Writer is by offering a “drawing” and a “form” workbench.  The drawing is not as user friendly as I am accustomed to with Microsoft; however, it provides some entertaining values.  The “form” application is pretty astounding though.  It appears to share some likeness to online e-vites.  One can decorate a piece of documentation and send it to anyone with a notification or an invitation.  I was unaware that workstation like this existed.  It does not require any credit card information or a purchase.  These two tools will service students well because they are not forced to purchase a Microsoft product if they purchase a personal computer.  If they have access to the internet, they can simply log on to their workstation with one of these two websites and produce a professional document, create an eye-pleasing presentation or manage a spreadsheet to organize a long list that may require number manipulation.

This is a link to my drawing document from Google Docs is https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1J3GUx8AKLLR2OnwdpmXcTxzQHXlb2lf-RWBu2AJJ9u8/edit?usp=sharing

Thing #4

1. Shows the blogger that you hear them and it encourages them to create even more blogs.  They know they are no longer blogging to themselves, but to a community of bloggers, readers and responders.

2. One can influence those that they admire with a significant and relative comment.  In addition, one can create a small trend of whatever the topic is on the blog.  By commenting on a particular blog, one is saying that the small piece of rhetoric is meaningful and important enough to further discuss in a later period.  Updates on that topic may be imminent.

3. I commented on Amber Law’s thing 3, Jeffery Doyle’s thing 6, Bailey’s thing 7, Michelle Clark’s thing 7, and Brandy Putman’s thing 4. The two others of my choice that I commented on were Motley Crew's post on the Confessions of a Pioneer Woman and Do I Dare Disturb the Universe with Scott Elias at www.blogScottElias.net.

4. I chose to comment on these blogs because I agreed with them.  My thoughts and ideas totally coincided with theirs.  Also, I wanted to let the blogger know that their posts were relevant to me.

Thing #12

THING #12, Google uses

I have explored all of the four newly introduced web tools and I know I will find great use for two of them: http://translate.google.com/ and http://www.google.com/alerts.  I used to use the translator from www.dictionary.com very often when I took college Spanish.  I am no longer taking any Spanish courses; however, there are times when I want to sound just a bit more intriguing and mysterious during a texting conversation or a blog, so I will add a sentence or two in Spanish.  If someone responds, it means that they cared enough about what you had to say to actually look up the meaning of your cryptic message.  Of course, the translator is a great way to introduce a different culture and language into your lectures during some leisure time or for a multi-culture activity.  It adds and extra ingredient of fun to the educational value or a lecture.  In addition to using the translator to add some exotic flavor to your classroom recipe, there may come a time where you are faced with a foreign student who only speaks Spanish or another foreign language.  Google’s translator, or any other translating website, will prove extremely useful and pertinent to communicating to those students.  Another website that I will thoroughly enjoy is Google’s alert widget.

I find use in this web tool because I like to keep abreast of the most current rumors and facts of my favorite athletes (Michael Vick, Derrick Rose, Rudy Gay etc.).  In addition, I can keep up to date with the latest information on education occupations and tools to aid in education.  It should be important for any future employee of a specific field to want to stay updated on the progress and newly explored ideas of that field.  Therefore, it is satisfying to link education and Tennessee in my news feed alerts.

Thing #11

 I found that using www.Topix.net is the simplest way to find feeds that peaked my interests.  The main news feeds that I like to participate in are sports, politics, and entertainment, and they are all on the top of my scrollbar.  It makes it very easy for me to access any news or updates on top stories that I enjoy. 

The news feed site that was most confusing was www.Technorati.com.  At first glance, I did not find the feeds that most interested me.  However, the website is not horrible.  I do like their Top 100 column.  In fact, that was one of the useful feeds that I connected with. Although, I am doubtful that I will use any of these websites too often, I do recognize the entertainment aspect of them.

I did not any unusual feeds.  All the ones that I came across seemed reasonable of the internet world.  Maybe if I had spent hours searching through the sites I would have found something “unusual.”  I found other newsfeeds by going to useful websites and checking to see if they had a RSS feed.  It appears not all websites have the easy access RSS feed button. However, most did.