There are so many different tools and technologies available on the internet today, and so many associated terms and concepts. As I think about topics to focus on here in the coming months, I want to make sure we're touching on the most important ones. What are the most important internet technologies for educators to be aware of, and informed about?
I'm sure many peopleÂ would probably come up with a slightly different list,Â but based on my observations and experiences, and feedback from faculty at my institution, I have selected the followingÂ technologies. I do not mean to imply thatÂ every educator should be expected to use all of these technologies in the classroom, but rather that every educator should understand what these are, the potential they have in the classroom, and how their students mayÂ already be using them.
1. Video and Podcasting -Â One of the most widely adopted internet technologies for use in instructionalÂ settings is video streaming. BetweenÂ YouTube,Â TeacherTube,Â EduTube, and many otherÂ video hosting sites, there are an abundance ofÂ lectures, how-to videos,Â and supporting materials available in the form of webÂ based video.Â Podcasting has also been usedÂ to provide similar offerings ofÂ audioÂ materials throughÂ popular sites like iTunes. [Click here to learn more about video hostingÂ for education, or here to learn more about podcasting for education.]
2. Presentation Tools – This category is vastÂ and rich. There areÂ hundreds (perhaps thousands) of toolsÂ on the Internet that can be used to create and share presentations, from simple Powerpoint slide players like Slideshare to multimedia timeline tools like Vuvox and OneTrueMedia. These tools can be used to support classroom teaching or distance learning, or for studentÂ reports and presentations.
3. Collaboration & Brainstorming ToolsÂ – This is another wide ranging category, includingÂ thought-organizingÂ tools like mindmap and bubbl.us,Â and collaborative tools like web based interactive whiteboards and Google Documents. Additionally,Â some of the other toolsÂ in this list, such as wikis and virtual worlds,Â also serve asÂ collaboration tools.
4. Blogs & Blogging – BloggersÂ and many other regular Internet users are well aware of blogs and blogging, but there areÂ many other professionals who really are not frequentersÂ of the “blogosphere”. In addition to a basic familiarity with this technology, educators should be aware of sites like BloggerÂ and WordPress, where users can quickly and easily create their own blogs for free.
5. Wikis – The use of Wikis in educational settings is growing every day. Sites like WetpaintÂ and othersÂ allow users to create free wiki web sites and areÂ a great way to get started withÂ using wikis for educational applications. [Click here to learn more about the use of Wikis in education].
6. Social Networking – All educators should have a basic understanding of sites like FacebookÂ and MySpaceÂ and how they are used. This doesn't mean they needÂ accounts on these sites (andÂ many educators would recommend againstÂ usingÂ these sites to communicate with their students), but they should understand what they are and how they are being used. Educators should also be aware of the professional social networking site LinkedIn.
7. IM – A large percentage of students use IM regularly, via Aim, IM aggregator site MeeboÂ (Meebo allows users to combine messaging from Aim, Yahoo,Â MySpace, Facebook, and other sites), orÂ other tools. It behooves educators to be aware of this, and I have even comeÂ across various articles aboutÂ using IM within the classroom setting (such as this one from Educause).
8. Twitter – This listing is really focused on technologies, not specific applications, but this application is currently just too popular to ignore. You should at least understand what it is and the fundamentals of how it is used. [Click hereÂ for some insight intoÂ how Twitter can be used in education.]
9. Virtual Worlds – This technology has received a lot of press, withÂ SecondLife being the clear leader thus far in this application area. In my experience, the useÂ of SecondLife has been somewhat constrained byÂ high bandwidth and processing power requirements, but this also means that there is stillÂ considerable room for increased adoption of the application as systems continue to become more powerful andÂ higher speed bandwidth more prevalant.Â Active Worlds isÂ one of a number of competitive technologies, and providesÂ a “universe” dedicated to education that has been popular with educators.
10. RSS Feeds – RSSÂ allows users to create their own “push” data streams (that is, define data flows you want coming to you automatically, rather than having to go and “pull” the information with a Google search or other browsing effort). RSSÂ feeds enable you toÂ take advantage of streams of published content that will be sitting in yourÂ In Box, or in an RSS reader, when you want them. ThereÂ are RSS feeds available for many topics and many web sites.
While many readers may have their own interpretation of which technologies are essential for educators to be aware of, I think this is a greatÂ list to get started with. Of course, this list will require updating over time, as technologies change, and as educator's uses of these technologies evolve. As always, reader input isÂ welcomed. What do you think? Is this a good top 10? Would you like to see some other technologiesÂ listed here? Feel free to comment and offer your insights, please. Thanks!