Module 3

This week we focused discussion on Bonk's Perfect e-Storm, published in 2004. As I read it, I couldn't help but feel that it seemed outdated. Many of the technologies projected are no longer new. It made me think about the perspective of what a few years changes in this arena. It also made me happy with the tools that I have had the opportunity to use regularly in my online teaching. What a difference they make for the students! The article's overall concept was a good analogy to what is happening in e-learning. We still have that influx of students to accommodate. We still have the issue of technology to use to deliver instruction and to enable collaboration. Technology is there, but it is always changing. Which changes will be "keepers"?

from http://bubbl.us

We also created concept maps, using Inspiration. I've used both Inspiration and Kidspiration before. I really had to think about how I could use concept maps in teaching technology. I've used them before with students for prewriting planning and analyzing books and characters. The biggest problem would be that my school would need to buy the software for many students, since I teach online. That is not going to happen anytime soon. Apart from that, I could use it to analyze cause-effect relationships, since that is one of the big concepts in technology design. Then I got an e-mail from Kathy Shrock (see link on sidebar) telling me about an online concept mapping tool called bubbl! Very cool! I will be taking a closer look at this tool and using it if it works for the cause-effect relationship. Note: The link for bubbl is also on the sidebar. Take a look!

-Ginnie