Anika Yamada: Technology Assessment #2

8 Technology Assessment Tools

Love It, Like It, Or Click it to the Curb?

When I had a PC laptop, I hardly used Google Chrome. I would mostly use the basic Internet Browser search engine instead. I am a MAC user now so Safari is what I currently use on my personal laptop. I have tried venturing onto other web sites but Google is still my favorite online web search engine and my go-to. It may probably be their highly appealing colors that fascinate me so much. The only con about using Google that I can think of, is its internet popularity. Many times, my peers and I would have the same articles or facts when searching for online sources. Overall, I don't use it much often as I have no need to use it.
Rating:

2. Google Apps

I love Google Apps and would highly recommend everyone to utilize them. On my smartphone, it is synchronized with my Gmail account, so its easily accessible for me to check up on any new notifications I receive throughout the day. One Google App that I enjoy using fondly was Blogger. I love that users can personalize their blog/post. Plus, it is FREE MEMBERSHIP to sign up and join. As a college student, Blogger is an easier way to turn in all of my homework, class assignments, and group projects online with just a click away. I love how I can just stay on one website and not open all of my tabs which is very inconvenient and such a waste of time.

Rating:

3. Moodle

Last year, I first used Moodle when I was taking an online course during Summer Break. When I was fully equipped and logging on, I was frantically worried because I did not know how to use Moodle. I would suggest an online how-to tutorial on how to use Moodle for beginning students who are still relatively new. An online how-to tutorial would have been really helpful when I first started. I wouldn't have felt the need to worry so much. Eventually, I got the hang of Moodle so I saw how it was becoming an easier technology tool to use since I practically force myself to learn how to use Moodle instead. Since they are used for class courses, a nice audio chat for socializing with the rest of my classmates rather than a message forum, making Moodle more an efficient website. I do a lot of required work on Moodle but has never encountered any major problems with it. However, I do think there are efficient technology tools out there.

Rating:

4. WIX

Wix was actually one of the first website creators my team ALPHA, used. We created a Wix website to present about our educational mathematics game and everything turned out wonderful. Taking this technology course this Spring has opened my eyes as to how technology is greatly integrated with education a lot. It is a different presentation tool to than what I normally see in classrooms. A few months ago, I never knew about website designing. Now, I have been introduced in about 50 websites to create and customize unique presentations and different project designs. In Wix, I can choose to select a different theme. The possibilities are endless!

Rating:

5. Twiddla!

Twiddla was the web conferencing tool Group Alpha was assigned to discuss and present to in class. Instantly, the first thing I noticed about Twiddla! was its silly, yet unique name. Twiddla is recommended for people to meet up for attending business meetings and conference calls online. It may be used for brainstorming ideas, swapping/uploading pictures and website images. When I was using Twiddla!, the design layout was really simple and plain. Its main features that makes Twiddla stand out from its opposers is the white screen board. Also, Twiddla can accommodate many online users at one time, as long as they have access to an internet connection. There is no audio recording tool for hearing other members join in. Twiddla is a hassle free, no frills, web conferencing tool.

Rating:

6. emaze

Emaze is another presentation tool that was fun and easy to use for Team Alpha. I was really excited about Emaze because it caught my interest right away. The website looks like a lot of fun to use. As with other presentation tools, there were pre-made themes to select which made it easier to get. Emaze is beneficial because emaze can be automatically shared with everyone. For viewing pleasure, Emaza be seen automatically on the smartphone, in a laptop, on a computer, or on a tablet.

Rating

7. LiveBinders

LiveBinders is an educational website for future educators to organize all their work by going paperless. I like how it thought of that idea because it is a great way to recycle paper! Also, LiveBinders helps me further demonstrate my organization skills. What is so unique about it, is filling up my personal binder with endless work combined into one binder!! When I am done, I can see the layout of my binders into separate tabs. The visuals of all the websites add a colorful touch to my binder. Teachers may show parents their LiveBinders so parents may be on track with what their child will be learning about at school or a teacher can assign different binders to each individual student and showcase the students progress inside the classroom.

Rating:

8. Weebly

I have always been curious about Weebly because I have seen some of my Professors websites are by Weebly and UOG students websites are made by Weebly, too. When I used Weebly for my Multimedia Lesson Plan, I found out it was was easier than I thought. For my Wix Website, I used it as an accessible tool for teacher to interact with the parent.

I would definitely would like to use Weebly sometime again in the near future someday. I highly recommend this website.

Rating: