As part of our learning in INF532 we are expected to select, test/trial and evaluate the use of online tools that we are unfamiliar with. I thought I would discuss the ones that I already use to help me get started on this. The list of tools I would like to try includes:
- Diigo
- Google Maps
- Symbaloo
- PearlTrees
- Nings
- QR Codes
- Project Gutenberg
- Tumblr
- Paper.li
The ones I am already using are:
- Facebook – I am part of several networks on this social media site. English Teachers’ Association, Library Matters NSW and Drama Peeps are the main ones I engage with but I do have a few smaller groups that I follow. The way I connect with other educators is by writing posts when I have a question about something or I contribute an answer to someone else’s question. In evaluating the benefit of these networks I would say I have found them very useful. You often receive replies quite quickly. That immediate help often makes me feel quite relieved because I have been agonising over how to do something and often go to the network as a last resort rather than as a first option. I think I should engage with them much sooner before that.
- Listservs – I joined the OzEdTL Listserv after it was recommended to us during one of my subjects last year. I can’t say I love it. It floods my inbox at work and it is not visually appealing. I often end up deleting a good majority of the emails because I just don’t have time to read them. If I adjusted my email preferences to not receive them that often I think I still wouldn’t read them. I’m not sure if one of the curating sites could help with this. I tend to find my answers in other ways or I will save ones that I want to come back to and read later but I often find I don’t make time to do this so I’m not sure it is the most effective tool for me personally.
- Pinterest – I curate a whole range of things and have two categories one for books and library ideas. I like the function of making some boards private. It’s particularly good for visuals. I find you still have to click on some links to check that they’re credible but it’s amazing how many resources you can build up. The search terms have a lot of sub-categories many of which I had never thought of. That is quite helpful. Most of the links are to blogs so I’m not sure that it would be the best type of curation site for research in an academic capacity but it could be used as a good model to connect students to concept of content curation.
I have found participating in professional Facebook groups to be valuable also. I particularly appreciate the ability to stay up-to-date with issues and developments that are occurring in my industry, and agree that responding to and asking questions are excellent means of becoming a part of the community. Sometimes curation sites offer the option of weekly digests rather than daily emails, which is what I have mostly switched to (if I haven’t unsubscribed altogether), as so many emails can be both overwhelming and annoying. Pocket and Scoop.it both offer this choice. I have found Pinterest to be a great tool for collaboration regarding design projects. Students can place ideas in categories for their group before discussing how and what to incorporate into their design. While this suits vocational (mostly adult) students, I am not sure if allowing this much latitude is appropriate for younger students, although perhaps those in years 11 and 12 might benefit.