Evernote

Evernote is an organizational tool that allows its' users to save files, links, and ideas on one site. Evernote synchronizes with their website every five minutes ensure that files are saved. This site is essential for teachers and learners in the 21st century. All of their notes and ideas can be saved and managed in one area. This tool is available for download on mobile devices and allows users to access their information from any computer that has an internet connection. Personally, I downloaded Evernote my laptop and phone. This application is free and  files can be shared with other users. Teachers can manage and update their class files, and share them with a click of a button.  

Twitter

Twitter and it's appropriateness for classroom usage

Twitter is one of the most popular communication tools on the planet. Teachers and students in the 21st century should take full advantage of such an interesting tool. For those of you that may not be familiar with twitter, it basically is a place where people communicate by posting statuses. Within a status, you can include anyone but you are limited to 140 characters. There are new tools that work with twitter that will allow a user to post a status that is longer than 140 characters.  Twitter also allows users to post pictures and other documents. 

Information, media, and technology skills are enhanced whenever people use this tool. One of my current courses use Twitter to share important class information and answer questions. Twitter has a mobile app that allows users to always stay informed and connected. I forgot to mention that it is free! 

Twitter is very appropriate for classroom usage. Many of the students are familiar with the program and they can have direct access to their instructor and classmates. People require immediate feedback these days and  Twitter helps support this need.

Scribd

Scribd is a great educational and informative tool that allow users to post word documents and share them publicly or privately. This tool is free to use also. Signing up is easy and works on all systems (PC, MAC, etc.).  This tool requires an internet connection as is very similar to Google Docs. Users can download documents, embed on websites, and comment. This is a great tool that educators should take full advantage of.

Some of the advantages of using this tool with 21st century learners are:

• Easy access
• Reduces wasted paper
• Students can post and critique their work

Information, media, and technology skills and learning and innovation skills are addressed by using this tool in the classroom.

Moodle

Moodle  has allowed instructors and learners to deliver course content and collaborate effectively. Moodle is easy to navigate and has many uniques features that allow instructors to create assignments that students can interact with. Users can embed Html elements, videos, and any other files that can be compressed to a reasonable size. Instructors from all over the world have been educating their students with this tool. 

Instructors and learners in the 21st century have the advantage of having free tools that allow them to access important information via internet. There are many advantages to using Moodle in the classroom. Students can view and listen to lectures, complete assignments at home, communicate with other students that take the same subjects, form interest and help groups, instructors can view and manage all conversation and change the direction of an assignment, and many other options.

 Students in the 21st century can become engaged in technology while using this program. Becoming engaged with sites such as Moodle can help prepare them for work-related collaborations. The internet is the main source and if you have a job, I'm sure the internet is used for some kind of communication to employees. 

YouTube as an educational tool.

YouTube has allowed users from all over the world  to share information as videos. This tool was unveiled in 2005 and  is a major source of video sharing for millions of users. This tool is a source of income for some, and a gateway to stardom for others. YouTube is free to use and the site is easy to navigate. Google recently acquired this company, which has allowed it to be integrated in many other programs. Educators from all over the world have been educating their students for free using this tool. Some videos act as resources and some are lectures.

Instructors and learners in the 21st century have the advantage of having free tools that allow them to access important information via video. The are some disadvantages to this tool, which I will mention first. First, an internet connection is needed in order to use this tool. Secondly, YouTube has advertisements that may distract some learners. Lastly, videos that are created are not always geared towards students with disabilities. Students can become distracted while watching a lecture, unable to watch without a secure internet connection, and may not be audible of seen by students with disabilities.

The advantages of this tool include, free video posting, embedding codes for personal sites, ability to download and include resources, and comment section. Students in the 21st century can become engaged in technology while using this program. Learning how to use this tool may help them in their future careers. Instructors form all content areas can create information videos. Videos such as lectures and tutorials are popular educational videos and teachers can post this videos and students can access them as an important resource.

Google Docs and Collaborative Learning

Collaborative learning can be enhanced by using web 2.0 tools. Google Docs is a great tool to use that allows its users to create and edit a document via internet. I am currently using this tool to add information to a group document. We use different color fonts to indicate our comments. Also, we can share the documents with users that don't have a Google account. This is very convenient enhances interaction in group situations.

Collaborative learning is enhanced by using Google Docs. For example, group activities can be extended beyond the classroom. Students have the benefit of having more time to finish an assignment and sharing information with other members. They can each take on specific roles, which allows each member to complete a part of a project.

21st century learners have the advantage of having a tool that is available to edit in real time with other group members.

Blog about Blogs

Students of the 21st Century have the advantage of having high-speed internet, advanced search engines, and online encyclopedias to help enhance their educational experience. Using tools like Weblog's can also help enhance students educational experience. Instructors can create assignments were students have to share classroom experiences and also collaborate with students from other schools and/or classes, discussing assignments. Hopefully, students can take advantage of Weblogs while most of them are free. If instructors choose to integrate this tool into their courses, they will promote collaborative learning.