productivity tools, place

8/14/2019 Productivity Tools, PLACE

1/12

Establishing a PLACE for teaching technologies Page iii

Table of Contents Table of Contents iiiICTE Information and Communication Technologies forEducation 1PLACE: an acronym for understanding Information &Communication Technologies for Education 3P for Productivity 5

TOOLS SUPPORTINGTEXT-BASED COMMUNICATION 5Tools for Improving Written Communication 5Typing Tools 6Scheduling and Bibliographical Tools 6

TOOLS TO SUPPORT DATA PROCESSING 7Online surveys and descriptive statistics 8Statistical Data Analysis Tools 8

TOOLS THAT SUPPORT GRAPHIC EXPRESSION 9Graphic Processing Tools 9Tools for Making Multimedia Presentations 10

PLACE - P TOOLS GALVIS 2009


2/12

Establishing a PLACE for teaching technologies Page iv

TOOLS FORMULTIMEDIA DATA PROCESSING 10Tools for Processing Video and Digital Sound 10Tools for Sharing digital products on Internet 11Tools for threading voice comments on digital objects 13Tools for Building web pages 13

TOOLS FOR TIME AND ACTIVITY MANAGEMENT 14L for Learning Environments 15

CONSTRUCTION OF CONCEPTUAL AND MIND MAPS 15CONSTRUCTION OF CAUSE-EFFECT MAPS 17MATHEMATIC MODELS:CONSTRUCTION AND EXPLORATION 17SIMULATIONS AND GAMES: CONSTRUCTION AND EXPLORATION 18LECTURE NOTES AND FLASH CARDS: BUILDING AND USE 18CREATION OF DIGITAL PORTFOLIOS 19CREATION AND USE OF RUBRICS 19

A for Access to cultural, and intellectual capital 21SEARCH ENGINES AND DIGITALTAGGING 22ELECTRONIC ENCYCLOPEDIAS 23SUBSCRIPTION TO ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVICES 24

List Serves 24RSS Channels 25

DICTIONARIES,TRANSLATORS ANDTHESAURUSES 25EDUCATIONAL PORTALS 26DIGITALTOURS THROUGH MUSEUMS AND COLLECTIONS 28

C for Communication 31TOOLS FORINTERACTINGASYNCHRONOUSLY 31

Email (electronic mail) 32Text messaging and chat rooms 33Social messaging via Twitter 33Social/virtual networking in education 34Digital Diaries, also called, Blogs 35The Wiki and collaborative knowledge building 36Collaborative productivity tools 38 Network Forums Video lecture capturing 39

TOOLS FORSYNCHRONOUS INTERACTION 40Chat rooms 41 Multimedia Instant Messaging Systems 41Video Conferencing Systems 42



3/12

Establishing a PLACE for teaching technologies Page 5

P for ProductivityWhat has made ICTE famous in the dominions of human activity is theircapacity to simplify routine tasks, and at the same time, extend thepotential of those who carry them out. This is done with informationalproductivity tools which act as computational systems that benefit manyareas of human activity. The following sections include a review ofdistinctive productivity tools that have not been created for education,but are potentially useful in educational activities.

Tools Supporting Text-based Communication

One of the greatest necessities that educators and students have is beingable to properly express themselves in writing and make references to thedocumentary sources that are required for footnotes and references.This group of tools can support such functions.

Tools for Improving Written Communication

One of the basic activities in a large number of domains is writtencommunication.Word processors and other tools like spell checkers, andreference and bibliography organizers allow writers to concentrate onwhat they want to say.



4/12


Writers can concentrate on the quality of the message when wordprocessing tools are used such as WORD from Microsoft Office [1] orWRITER from the free Open Office [2] from Sun Microsystems.

Typing Tools

Typing systems merit special attention. Knowing how to use ten fingersto type well without looking at the keyboard makes a big difference incategory P every time we try to correlate what we think with what wetype.

There are tools on the Internet that help to improve typing. Forexample, LEARN 2 TYPE [3] is a free program designed for adultusers to simultaneously exercise while handling the keyboard andthe mouse. On the other hand, NAIL IT NOW [4] offers a freesolution for children.

Scheduling and Bibliographical Tools

The development of footnotes and references is a time-consuming taskthat can be largely eliminated when a data base of sources has beencreated. This type of system allows the presentation of footnotes andbibliographic references in the format that is required (e.g. APA, ACM).Moreover, bibliographic data bases are generated which may beconverted into shareable resources among members of the educationalcommunity.

Bibliographic reference management software like ENDNOTE [5]becomes a wonderful ally that permits researchers and authors tocapture, to publish and to find references and include them indocuments in the appropriate format.

Your scholarly references and articles can be organized and sharedwith CiteULike [6], a free service from Springer.

1 http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/default.aspx2 http://www.download-new.com/openoffice/1/3 http://www.learn2type.com/4 http://www.nailitnow.com.au/typingtutor/children.html5 http://www.endnote.com6 http://www.citeulike.org



5/12


The most current version of MS-WORD [2] includes features formanaging citations and references as part of the word processorutilities.

Tools to Support Data Processing

Knowing how to organize, store, recover and process numerical datausing a statistical analysis package is another challenge for educators.This group of tools designed to alleviate these problems is bestcategorized as follows:

Calculation and Analysis tools

The calculation and analysis of numerical data is another commonactivity in many fields.

Thanks to spreadsheets, the processing of numerical data is focused onorganizing the data and defining the operations that the spreadsheetshould do. Once the data is captured, the program makes processing,

grouping, ordering and visual representation possible in many differentways. The great gain here is linked to the possibility of supporting theanalysis of data matched with variables. It is like asking What happensif? while visually and numerically analyzing the data.

Lets think for a moment about what a teacher can do when using aspreadsheet to calculate his students grades or to group and order otherinformation. This tool allows him to utilize various criteria and depictgraphic results in one way or another. The possibilities increase evenmore with considerations of diverse views on assessment or varying theweight of certain components, when student results are calculated.

We should consider as well, what students can do when they areanalyzing the results that they obtain following a certain course of studywithout limiting themselves to mere tabulation, but acquiring knowledgederived from digital data. Consequently, the calculation process issimplified and knowledge is increased.

Applications like Microsofts EXCEL [1] or CALC from SunMicrosystems Open Office [2] simplify the calculation and analysis ofnumerical data



6/12


Data-Base Management Tools

Data processing available in organized digital repositories (databases)makes it possible to generate aggregate information with distinct views(content and level of detail) defined according to the needs of the user.The functions of these tools allow data to be accessed via comprehensivesearches of available registries or just segments of the database. It does

not simply store, organize and search for information in an efficientmanner, but these tools also permit the generation of new knowledge(cross listing and aggregate views) that without technology would be verydifficult to obtain.

Tools like Microsoft Offices ACCESS [1] and BASE [2] from SunMicrosystems Open Office are user friendly and very powerful,permitting competent users to manage, design, administer and to take

advantage of collections of organized digital information.

Online surveys and descriptive statistics

Collecting data and feedback from customers is an important task foreducators and researchers. Many LMS (Learning Management Systems)include their own survey creation and management tools, but in manycases this function needs to be accomplished independently.

SURVEYMONKEY [7] is self-defined as the simple way to create, apply,and get results from surveys. It has a single purpose: to enable anyoneto create professional online surveys quickly and easily. The free

version allows 100 answers per survey.

Statistical Data Analysis Tools

Usually databases contain very valuable information. Nevertheless,beyond the data, at times, it is necessary to find commonalities, or to testhypotheses about cause and effect issues allotting for diverse criteria.

Statistical data processing packages, for example SPSS [8] StatisticalPackage for the Social Sciences or SAS [9] Statistical Analysis System,

7 http://www.surveymonkey.com/Default.aspx8 http://www.spss.com/9 http://www.sas.com/technologies/analytics/statistics/index.html



7/12


make this type of analysis possible giving control of the types ofaggregations, cross-listings, statistical tests, etc. to whomever manages

the tool. They also resolve quantitative questions that guide research.

Tools that Support Graphic Expression

Oral and written communication is largely supported by the visualization

of what we mean. This group of tools can improve our productivity increating and editing images as well as presentations that utilize a varietyof techniques.

Graphic Processing Tools

Graphic expression is another activity where productivity software toolscan add a lot of value to various fields. The creation, capture and editingof images can help to express what we say and feel. This task is relativelyeasy when one knows how to use the appropriate graphic software.

It is said that an image is worth a thousand words. Those who havechosen to use graphics to support their work surely feel compelled towork on rough drafts whenever they process an image, then publish itto give it the touch that it merits without major effort.

This function is not the only benefit of using graphic processing tools.These technology tools make it possible to go beyond conventionalgraphics design limits. Not only are artistic options increased, but theopportunities to share and critique are made more available to the creatorof the work. This reality gives new possibilities to the artist.

Applications like Microsofts PAINT [10] as well as FIREWORKS [11]

developed by Macromedia, now owned by Adobe are praised fortheir ability to enhance their users graphic expression as well asoffering the possibility of doing the graphic processing of digitalimages. As far as tools for children, it is possible to emphasizeKIDPIX [12] an intuitive and powerful application developed by

Broderbund Software and sold by The Learning Company.

10 http://www.fayette.k12.il.us/99/paint/paint.htm11 http://www.adobe.com/products/12 http://www.kidsdomain.com/down/mac/kidpix.html



8/12


Tools for Making Multimedia Presentations

The creation of multimedia presentations is also enhanced by the use ofproductivity tools that allow easy manufacture and presentation of digitalmaterials. The new presentation softwares when used optimally, render afinished product that is effective in conveying both content and appeal.

Tools like Microsoft Offices PowerPoint [1] and Sun MicrosystemsOpen Office IMPRESS [2] have made multimedia presentations verysimple.

Tools for Multimedia Data processing

We often have film registries of video and sound recordings of audio thatwe want to use in our educational activity. This group of tools canefficiently support this process.

Tools for Processing Video and Digital Sound

Sound and video editing has stopped being the domain of audiovisualspecialists. Nowadays it is possible to become a fan of these arts and dodigital, audio and video processing including texts, special effects, soundand visual credits, subtitles, multiple audio tracks (by language or with theoriginal sound and commentary).

Digital audio editing is doable with AUDACITY [13], an open accessmultiplatform tool that allows basic to professional treatment ofdigital sound; it imports and produces files in a variety of audio waveforms.

Tools like LAS VEGAS MOVIE STUDIO [14] by Sony or QUICKTIMEPROFESSIONAL [15] by Apple make it possible for educators andstudents to edit digital audio and video.

CAMTASIA STUDIO [16] by TechSmith allows the creation of screenvideos from the computer and the editing of videos you have alreadycreated. All of these tools make it possible to create archives in

13 http://audacity.sourceforge.net/manual-1.2/index.html14 http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/moviestudio15 http://www.apple.com/es/quicktime/download/16 http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.asp



9/12


more than one format. CAMSTUDIO OPEN SOURCE is a freeversion of Camtasia Studio 6 [17].

JING [18] by TechSmith and GOVIEW [19] by Citrix Online are openaccess software that allow users to screen capture and screen videorecording with audio. Both applications upload captured informationto the Web, FTP, computer or clipboard. A URL is automaticallycreated and can be shared with others to view or access the

uploaded file. There is no video or picture editing with JING orGOVIEW. You can add titles with GOVIEW.

ScreenR [20] allows instant screencasting for Twitter and it is free.This web-based tool works both in Mac or PC. It generates MP4 filesthat can be played everywhere on the web.

Tools for Sharing digital products on Internet

The Internet is a good way to share what we create as educators and to

benefit from what others have published. Depending on what you wantto share, there are very interesting tools and web services at yourdisposition. The following is not an exhaustive list.

Your favorite URLs (Internet addresses) with the corresponding tagscan be organized and shared with DELICIOUS [21], a free servicefrom Yahoo.

Your pictures and albums can be shared with PICASA [22] fromGoogle or FLICKR [23] from Yahoo. Images can be uploaded andorganized in groups. Their free services permit a limited number ofgroups.

17 http://camstudio.org/18 http://www.jingproject.com/19 http://goview.com/goldwyn/spring/play?method=indexPage20 http://screenr.com/21 http://delicious.com/22 http://picasa.google.com/23 http://www.flickr.com/



10/12


If you want to publish slides or digital documents in different type offormats you can consider using SLIDESHARE [24]. It is a freepublishing service.

If you have created digital video and want to make it available invideo episodes no longer that 10 minutes each, YOUTUBE [25] fromGoogle is appropriate; it is one of the best known digital video freepublishing services. If you want your digital video to be part of an

educational collection, then SCHOOLTUBE [26] may be of interest toyou. It is an online community of educators that want to sharevideos produced by students or educators, all of them approved by acertified educator and organized in categories.

If you want your digital video or audio to be watched or listened toon mobile devices as well as Internet browsers, then ITUNES U [27]is a good partner. This is a free service from Apple; it allows sharingcontent produced by universities, museums, or world leaders andthinkers. Each one of the pieces becomes a track that can be playedwith iTunes.

Using TEACHERTUBE [28] or eSNIPS [29] you can share video,audio, documents, or pictures, organized by channels or topics ofinterest. While TeacherTube is a community of educators, eSnips isan open community.

All of the aforementioned services include tagging, which allowsmembers to surf through each collection of digital objects by using tagscreated by non experts, instead of classifications that follow well definedrules. According to Wikipedia this practice of collaboratively tagging,social classification or social indexing, is called folksonomy. Some websites include tag clouds as a way to visualize tags in a folksonomy.

24 http://www.slideshare.net/25 http://www.youtube.com/26 http://www.schooltube.com/27 http://www.apple.com/education/mobile-learning/28 http://www.teachertube.com/29 http://www.esnips.com/



11/12


Tools for threading voice comments on digital objects

Digital objects (images, videos, documents, presentations) especiallythose which are more complex, often require feedback that goes beyondthe written comment. Imagine being able to comment on your studentsproposals using voice-based remarks. Imagine online collaborationaround media where you and your colleagues can asynchronously share

ideas on digital objects by using voice, text, and hand written drawings,all on one page.

VOICETHREAD [30] is a tool for having group oral interactionsaround images, documents, videos or presentations or a combinationof them. A VoiceThread can securely capture and hold an entirely

group discussion on one simple page. `

Tools for Building web pages

Many people have their own web sites that they use as informationservers. This particular use of the internet builds on web authoring

languages such as HTMLHyper Text Markup Language. There arehypertext authoring systems that let the creator express himself throughintegration of texts, graphics, links, and videos. These systems alsopermit you to generate the corresponding HTML codes.

Hypertext authoring systems such as Macromedia-Adobes DREAM-WEAVER [31] or Microsofts FRONTPAGE [32] minimize the effort tocreate hypertexts.

Many Learning Management SystemsLMSand ContentManagement SystemsCMSprovide online course creators theopportunity to use a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)

human-computer interface that generates editable HTML code. Thistype of WYSIWYG interface is also behind many of the so-calledSocial networking tools that include blogs, wikis, and community-building systems. We will comment on them under the C type ICTE.

30 http://voicethread.com/31 http://www.adobe.com/products/dreamweaver/32 http://www.microsoft.com/products/



12/12


Tools for time and activity management

Effective collaboration with others is not an easy task as long as itrequires a lot of coordination and time management. Beyond this, projectmanagement, which involves coordinating goals, activities, resources, andreporting, is even more challenging. Fortunately there are open accesstools that can alleviate these processes. Some are referenced below.

DOODLE [33] is a free on-the-web event scheduler and pollmanager. It allows users to create, edit, apply, and analyze pollresults.

PROJECT2MANAGE [34] is a free hosted project managementsolution. It assigns multiple levels of permission to different clients& users, manages projects from anywhere, posts messages to keepeveryone up to date, manage tasks with to-do lists, createsmilestones to stay on task.

33 http://doodle.com/34 http://www.project2manage.com/


productivity tools, place

Documents