Asynchronous Tools
- Blogs
- ITunes U
- Jing
- Laulima (Sakai)
- Ning
- Wiki
Blogs
Blog is a blend of the words "Web" and Log". Blogs are places for sharing of commentaries on specific subjects or a particular topic. These blogs posts are usually screened or maintained by a site manager. Blogs, while they can contain multimedia, images, video, audio links, are more commonly known for text entries. Most often the most recent entry is at the top, with previous ones, push down the web page. Blogs allow time for people to reflect before posting and a place to share ideas. Downside is may lack responses from the community of learners as well as requires constant oversight by the blog creator to insure keeping the post on track.
Links can be found at:
http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7006.pdf
http://oedb.org/library/features/top-100-education-blogs
Links can be found at:
http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7006.pdf
http://oedb.org/library/features/top-100-education-blogs
Electronic Mail
Electronic mail is one of the most widely used applications for communicating using the internet. It allows individuals and groups to communicate with one another despite time or geographic limitations. In an asynchronous learning environment email allows instructors the ability to communicate to the class as a whole or with individual students to provide both instruction and additional guidance when needed. Email also provides a means for instructors to distribute class material or for students to collaborate with the only requirement being access to a computer. Downside is a delay in response time and emails can be misinterpreted by the learners.
Links can be found at:
http://www.yahoo.com
https://www.google.com
http://www.aol.com/
Links can be found at:
http://www.yahoo.com
https://www.google.com
http://www.aol.com/
ITunes U
The service was created to manage, distribute, and control access to educational audio and video content and PDF files for students within a college or university as well as the broader Internet. The online service is without cost to those uploading or downloading material. Content includes course lectures, language lessons, lab demonstrations, sports highlights and campus tours provided by qualifying two- and four-year accredited, degree-granting, public or private colleges and universities. Downside is not all universities participate and requires iTunes to download. Upside is media is more portable, can be listened to while on the road.
Links can be found at:
http://www.apple.com/education/itunes-u/
(links to participating universities) http://www.apple.com/education/itunes-u/whats-on.html#itb-topten
Links can be found at:
http://www.apple.com/education/itunes-u/
(links to participating universities) http://www.apple.com/education/itunes-u/whats-on.html#itb-topten
Jing (Screencasts)
Jing captures your computer screen, as an image or short video, and lets you share it with anyone. Jing allows the users to create instant screen casts and screen shots. Jing can be used as a collaborative tool to share information with others by uploading to screencast.com. You can provide a link to the created screen cast, others can instantly see the video that was just created. Videos can be easily embedded into blogs, social networking sites and websites. The program is free and the user has instantly 2GB of video space. Five minute limit is both good and bad.
Links can be found at:
http://www.techsmith.com/jing/
http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/
Links can be found at:
http://www.techsmith.com/jing/
http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia/
Laulima (Sakai)
Laulima is based on the Sakai project open source program and is considered a Course Management System (CMS). Generic collaboration tools include; Announcements, drop box, email archive, resources, chat room, forums, message center, news/rss feed, pool tool, presentation tool, profile/roster, repository search and schedule program. Teaching tools include assignments, grade book, module editor, QTI (question and test interoperability) for authoring and assessment, site management and syllabus. Sort of a one stop shop for asynchronous distance education. Interesting in how it was named "Sakai", it comes from the Michigan's CHEF course management system, where "chef" refers to the Iron Chef Hiroyuki Sakai. Upside is low cost to the institution, but is still a tool in development.
Links can be found at:
https://laulima.hawaii.edu/portal
http://sakaiproject.org/
Links can be found at:
https://laulima.hawaii.edu/portal
http://sakaiproject.org/
Ning
Ning is an online service which enables people to create their own social networking site on topics they feel passionate about to help inform and even inspire action. These topics include but are not limited to politics, entertainment, small business, non-profits, and education. Utilizing a Ning site provides an easy to use service which enables the user access to branding and visual design freedom, unique member profiles, moderation and privacy, invite and share functions, latest activity listings, RSS feeds, photos and videos, chat functions, discussion forums, member blogs, event invites, and additional customization features using the Ning APPS. The site allows the user to create a custom social experience in under 30 seconds giving them the power to mobilize, organize, and inspire. Downside is no longer free, can be expensive, upside is can be very personalized.
Link can be found at:
http://www.ning.com/
Link can be found at:
http://www.ning.com/
Wikispaces
Wikispaces is an online site which allows users to create a wiki to discuss topics that are important to them, while at the same time getting feedback from other people who visit the site. Wikis allow the creator and visiting/invited individuals the ability to create a number of interlinked WebPages to share ideas. The wiki can be edited by anyone who has access to include formatting text, inserting images and files, adding widgets, and linking pages. The site provides an effective collaboration forum with unlimited pages, messages, discussion forums, email and RSS notification, wiki statistics, category tags, web folders, customization options, security settings, and custom permissions.
Link can be found at:
http://www.wikispaces.com/
Link can be found at:
http://www.wikispaces.com/