Task 1: The Debrief

So Task 1 was pretty cool! Lot's of exploring and experimenting going on! Before this semester I had a Google Blogger but nothing else, no Twitter, iGoogle, Reader or Diigo. I think each tool is great to have! The blog is good for teacher/student communication. iGoogle is pretty fun and is good for quick accessibility  Reader is useful for when I want articles to refer to. And Diigo is just amazing. But I don't see the value in Twitter. I'm not sure if I will continue using these tools. For sure I won't use Twitter, Blogger is a mayyybbee depending if I have time to blog, iGoogle would be good if I set mine up better, Reader is beast so I'll keep that one and Diigo is good if I can just master it. Aha they're all amazing,  it's just the fact that if I had time to get to know all the functions of each tool then I would use them but I don't know when I'll get that time. For now, Google search bar works for me.

Also ScreenR is beast so I'm sure I'll use that one!

Here's my video! screenr.com/2Vc7 

Week 6 Group 4 Current Event

Hello everybody! This week our Current Event topic was:


Current Event Topic: iPads are they all that they are made out to be as they relate to whole classroom?  Identify an article, blog post or website that takes a position (which you agree with) on the usefulness of the Apple iPad in the classroom.

Explanation: From what you know and from what you have researched are the iPads an important tool for your classroom.  Would an Andriod based tablet be a better fit?  What about a cabinet of laptops?  What about a cabinet of less powerful notebook computers?   What about traditional desktop computer stations?

This week Jason chose our winning article:

http://edte.ch/blog/2011/05/11/apple-ipads-or-android-tablets-see-what-more-than-1000-educators-decided/

In summary our group agreed that iPads are better than Androids when comparing the overall benefits of using technology to enhance education in the classroom.The biggest issue that this article discusses is if the iPad is worth it's money. Here are a few key quotes from the article that defend why tablets are useful and why iPads are more efficient:

"However, the potential to enhance teaching and learning with the freedoms provided by mobile devices becomes a different story; the capacity to excite, engage and personalise learning is undoubtedly present. With the flexibility and portability of tablet devices many of the former obstructions fell away – the enhancements were only enhanced!"

"Crucially, no other Android device provides anything like the scope for enhancing teaching and learning like the iPads..."

"Apple is better for such a deployment of multiple devices include the following:

-          The Apple OS is upgraded and installed much faster and more effectively than equivalent Android OS, therefore apps on iPads continue to get faster and better, particularly in areas like iTextbooks etc.

-          The back up, synchronising and cloud storage of iCloud is far superior to any Android equivalent, therefore student work is more secure

-          OS support is proven to be more consistent from Apple

-          Malware, viruses are considerably more common on Android devices and security on Android devices is significantly weaker. The gatekeeper control of Apple means the downloading of apps is more secure and their system provides excellent systematic protections for multiple devices

-          The range of Apple apps is currently significant larger and of better quality (a quality controlled by Apple)

-          Apple development and support is more consistent and systematic than Google’s Android model – this is crucial for our needs over the next five years. "

Lastly the author of the article using this quote to conclude his claim: “pay cheap, pay twice” and our group agrees with him. 

I'd also like to add another article from our group mate, Michelle. http://edte.ch/blog/2011/05/11/apple-ipads-or-android-tablets-see-what-more-than-1000-educators-decided/ . Don't take our word for it, check out this article that shows what educators have chosen. Apple iPad or Android Tablet? Click on it :)