Effectively Using Search Engines and Online Word Processing Apps

This week our class is taking a closer look at the various search engines and web based word processing applications available today. Once again, I started this week thinking this would be familiar territory, only to find out through the exercises and assignments that I had a lot to learn!

I began my week looking into the various search engines out there and what makes each stand out in the crowd. I use Google as my staple when it comes to conducting web searches. I have never been one to do much to refine my searches because I have been pretty lucky in finding what I need rather easily. Sure, I would have a bajillion responses to my query, but I didn't necessarily see that as a problem. The time I put into this aspect of my work this week has been quite enlightening. I now understand that there are so many search engines out there because each takes a unique approach to databases searched and how the searches are conducted. It is important to evaluate the purpose of your search before you begin in order to choose a search engine that will be the most efficient tool to get the job done. I also developed a much more in-depth understanding of Boolean searches and the purpose behind proper phrasing, right down to knowing when it is appropriate to use capital letters. When there is thought put into selecting the appropriate search engine and phrasing, the results are more refined and it makes the whole process more effective.

Another focus of our work this week was related to the use of online word processing applications. Since beginning this cohort in September, I have had some experience in the arena of online word processing through the use of Google Docs. While I have found that I can use it when I'm forced to do so, I continue to be more comfortable with Microsoft Word. I looked into a couple of other online word processing applications, ThinkFree and Zoho Writer. These, like Google Docs, have familiar interfaces which would make it an easy transition from Word. I like the sharing and collaborating features that are supported through online word processing applications. I also believe it is the direction schools and businesses will eventually take when it comes to working on collaborative/cooperative projects that include word processing. I think as these online applications continue to evolve and improve more people will take the leap from their desktop applications to the cloud based apps.

I will continue to introduce these ideas and applications into the work I do. Since I'm not in a classroom, I won't necessarily use what I've learned in the context of working directly with students, but I will apply the strategies and tools to improve my own productivity. It will be through my own experiences, and how I apply what I learn, that I will be able to hopefully demonstrate more effective processes that my team at work will want to adopt!

Getting Started With Productivity Tools

This week marks the beginning of a new class: Using Productivity Tools Effectively. I am excited about this class in the sense that I feel like I'm heading into better-known territory, but I know from this first week that I still have a lot to learn. We have started working with online graphics programs, slide presentation programs, and getting into our text: Supporting Learning with Technology.

I found the graphics programs to be a lot of fun and the fact that they are all available online makes them even better. I especially enjoy the graphics programs that deal with photos. I often put together documents and presentations that use photos, so that just comes naturally to me. I tried out every program that was on the recommended list and ended up creating and posting projects created in Magmypic.com. This program allowed me to upload pictures of my loved ones and make them magazine and comic book cover models! It was something I could see being used by students and teachers in a classroom setting, as well as something I might use just for fun on my own.

The presentation programs were equally as interesting to me as the graphics. I am a big powerpoint user (sorry, Louis!), and actually taught PowerPoint in a former life, so as you can imagine I got a real kick out of the "Death by PowerPoint" presentation shared in our last class. I think presentation tools are excellent in the right environment. There are so many options out there that are more interactive for teaching purposes, but when the intention is to "present" there are options out there above and beyond PowerPoint. I chose to create a slideroll presentation and found it to be quite user-friendly and the result was a "video" quality presentation, without having to plot out transitions like the traditional presentation software.

I am looking forward to getting further into the class text. Where I work we have an organization-wide effort to intentionally integrate 21st century skills into every lesson plan. We strongly believe that students need to know more than the basics as they move into high school and beyond, especially the population of students in our program. I look forward to developing new ideas that I can share with my co-workers so we can continue to learn and grow in our efforts to help students develop these critical skills.

Once again, this course will be challenging like the others have been up to this point; but I know what I am learning is going to help me in my quest for professional as well as personal growth. It is extremely relevant to the work I do and rewarding to be able to apply it as I go!