Oooh this one's great! Love the idea of being able to catalogue my home library so simply and graphically. (Yeah, like that's going to happen - bit like those boxes of photos I'm always going to sort out!). But what a great idea.
I can definitely see some uses for this in the education industry. Even simple ideas like showcasing new library acquisitions on the webpage! And being able to read such a variety of reviews - well i think that's a good thing!!
So quick and easy to set up. I had quickly added fifteen of my favourite books, complete with cover images. My biggest concern is the limit of 200 titles for the free account - that means I either have to be selective, or fork out for the upgrade. Still, it's pretty good value if it proves as useful as it seems.
Another one to add to the "look into further" list!
Sal
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
#10 Image Generators
Oh dear, another fun toy to play with! It was so quick and easy to create this logo using Cool Text.
There are so many of these image generators and lots of them are free and very simple to use.
They are also lots of fun! This cute photo was "created" using the Mirrorizer tool at www.imagegenerator.com
If only there was more time to play ....
Sal
#9 Virtually Online
Hmmm... I think I need a heck of a lot more time to explore virtual reality before I feel qualified to comment. (Unfortunately time is that precious commodity that none of us are rich in!). I had a good look around Second Life, watched the videos, read some reviews, I even signed up thinking it would all make more sense if I actually tried it out - but alas, I'm still bamboozled!
I am having trouble seeing the advantages in education -with facilities such as video-conferencing, online content, email and instant messaging to cater for distance education, why the need for virtual world learning? Is it just to keep up with the 'in thing' and interact with students in their fantasy world because that's where they appear to 'live' these days?
There is of course scope for limitless imagination and creativity, and the world is certainly opened up for all to explore. Like I said, I need much more time to discover what is there and how it can be used. There is no doubt that a technological, hands-on approach to learning is the way of the future.
Exit Reality seems to me just another high tech toy, but I'm obviously missing something there too. As for World of Warcraft - well the name of that is enough to scare me! I have never quite embraced the whole 'role-playing' game stuff. All a bit sci-fi for me. Again the exercise of imagination and creativity has its advantages, but too many seem to be oblivious to the real world vs virtual world boundaries. Step out onto the lawn and feel the grass between your toes people!!
Sal
I am having trouble seeing the advantages in education -with facilities such as video-conferencing, online content, email and instant messaging to cater for distance education, why the need for virtual world learning? Is it just to keep up with the 'in thing' and interact with students in their fantasy world because that's where they appear to 'live' these days?
There is of course scope for limitless imagination and creativity, and the world is certainly opened up for all to explore. Like I said, I need much more time to discover what is there and how it can be used. There is no doubt that a technological, hands-on approach to learning is the way of the future.
Exit Reality seems to me just another high tech toy, but I'm obviously missing something there too. As for World of Warcraft - well the name of that is enough to scare me! I have never quite embraced the whole 'role-playing' game stuff. All a bit sci-fi for me. Again the exercise of imagination and creativity has its advantages, but too many seem to be oblivious to the real world vs virtual world boundaries. Step out onto the lawn and feel the grass between your toes people!!
Sal
Saturday, September 12, 2009
#8 iGoogle
Now this is a tool for me! Having all those commonly used sites and features customisable on my homepage really appeals to me. I had heard of iGoogle but not explored it before - I'm hooked already. News, weather, sports, quotes of the day, the odd quick game or two, facebook updates, maps, google docs .... and some of the fun gadgets I'll be having fun with! Not to mention the most used of all ... google search right there at the top ready to go! I like the tabs down the side which a quick click leads to lots of relevant sites to further explore.
One gadget I would use regularly at work, along with Google docs, is a Thesaurus search. I'm often stuck for the right word and having a quick search utility right there on the home page is great.
As for working at Google ... yes please! If the videos are to be believed, working in IT in a casual relaxed atmosphere full of happy workmates ... I can see myself there!
Thanks for introduction to iGoogle ... I'm off to delve a little deeper!
Sal
One gadget I would use regularly at work, along with Google docs, is a Thesaurus search. I'm often stuck for the right word and having a quick search utility right there on the home page is great.
As for working at Google ... yes please! If the videos are to be believed, working in IT in a casual relaxed atmosphere full of happy workmates ... I can see myself there!
Thanks for introduction to iGoogle ... I'm off to delve a little deeper!
Sal
#7 Google Book Search
An interesting Google feature this one. Certainly a wonderful tool for sourcing any type of book imaginable, but in my experience by no means comprehensive. A random selection from my bookshelves revealed varying results, which probably says more about my taste in reading matter than the effectiveness of Google Books!
As a tool for education, I would say it's invaluable. To be able to source a range of books with options of previews, reviews, full text in the case of out of copyright books and the added bonus of being able to locate the book in a store or library, all from the one site makes it a winner.
Is Google the new Microsoft? Far more learned people than me have many an opinion on what I see as a rhetorical question. But one thought springs to mind... no one these days ever says "do an internet search" or "type it into a search engine" ... what we hear is "Google it!". And with the list of added features growing all the time there is no doubt Google holds a well deserved monopoly.
I've always been quite a fan and defender of Microsoft - their products are top rate market leaders in my humble opinion. They have set the benchmark for many products which companies like Google have then adapted and refaced (don't shoot me!). The big difference? Cost! These products are now available to everyone for the small inconvenience of a few ads. I'm not complaining!
Sal
As a tool for education, I would say it's invaluable. To be able to source a range of books with options of previews, reviews, full text in the case of out of copyright books and the added bonus of being able to locate the book in a store or library, all from the one site makes it a winner.
Is Google the new Microsoft? Far more learned people than me have many an opinion on what I see as a rhetorical question. But one thought springs to mind... no one these days ever says "do an internet search" or "type it into a search engine" ... what we hear is "Google it!". And with the list of added features growing all the time there is no doubt Google holds a well deserved monopoly.
I've always been quite a fan and defender of Microsoft - their products are top rate market leaders in my humble opinion. They have set the benchmark for many products which companies like Google have then adapted and refaced (don't shoot me!). The big difference? Cost! These products are now available to everyone for the small inconvenience of a few ads. I'm not complaining!
Sal
#6 Google Maps
Another application I have used many times for necessities but never taken the time to explore for fun. Today I thought I'd locate a couple of the hotels I stayed at during an overseas trip 23 years (gulp!) ago. Oh the memories - such happy days - if only I'd appreciated them more at the time. And goodness me, did I really walk home alone through London's Hyde Park after an evening performance at the Royal Albert Hall? How am I still alive today to relive the folly??
Google Maps is an excellent feature that has so many uses, and I'm sorry Gregory's, but I doubt that old street directory of mine will ever be replaced (but hey, it was great in its day!).
Thanks for the memories!
Sal
Google Maps is an excellent feature that has so many uses, and I'm sorry Gregory's, but I doubt that old street directory of mine will ever be replaced (but hey, it was great in its day!).
Thanks for the memories!
Sal
#5 Google Docs
Funny how I've always been aware of all these added features of Google, but only ever take the time to investigate them when an urgent need arises, as has been the case previously with Google Maps, Calendar, Picasa and SketchUp.
So now I've had a play with Google Docs I can see some great uses. Can't wait to introduce my high school aged sons to this feature so they can no longer use the "I forgot to save it to my usb" line when working on assignments at school or home!
I had a bit of fun creating some new business cards for school and a daily planner/to do list for myself. This I thought I could share with my boss at work .. but had second thoughts on that ... way too dangerous if she's able to add jobs willy-nilly to my list of things to do! The template feature is great - although I hope I can figure out a way to weed out all the foreign language ones.
Anyway, I'm keen to investigate further so I'll be off...
Sal
So now I've had a play with Google Docs I can see some great uses. Can't wait to introduce my high school aged sons to this feature so they can no longer use the "I forgot to save it to my usb" line when working on assignments at school or home!
I had a bit of fun creating some new business cards for school and a daily planner/to do list for myself. This I thought I could share with my boss at work .. but had second thoughts on that ... way too dangerous if she's able to add jobs willy-nilly to my list of things to do! The template feature is great - although I hope I can figure out a way to weed out all the foreign language ones.
Anyway, I'm keen to investigate further so I'll be off...
Sal
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