Answer: What should be included in the Content Map? What aspects of online learning and technology are essential to integrate in the process?

Create: Isolate a web tool explored in this lesson, and then create a Content Map for the chosen topic using that web tool. Be sure to highlight technology tools used in your lesson plan.

Artifact: Include this content map and a link to the tool used in your blog.

The map includes all elements of content: text, discussions, images, and multimedia, and each element is stepped out in a graphic textual display.

I used bubble.us to create the map below:

I would like to use this content map as a jumping off point in the course and the focus in on each branch, and create a content map for each of those. I would like the students to help create those content maps (I would create the basic outline and have them help me fill the rest in with their research) this would take place collaboratively. I would like to do more research, before I commit to which online tools I would use, as I would like them to be able to add onto certain parts of the content map.

Research: Link to five time management tools in your blog. Briefly describe each tool’s use and relevance to the online world.

Answer: How is each tool used? Would the tool be most helpful in a personal or professional setting, or both? Explain.

1. Rescue Time – Provides “Detailed reports show which applications and websites you spent time on. Stay informed with a weekly email report summarizing your activities and productivity score. Use your report to better plan the new week. You can set goals to help keep you on track and improve your productivity.”

Rescue Time would be beneficial in either a personal or professional setting. In a personal setting it would be to self manage and make changes to where you spend your time. It would also be good for a parent to put on their child’s computer to manage their time better. In the same vein, businesses can put this on company computers to see where their employees spend most of their time.

2. Remember the Milk –  “An application service provider for Web-based task- and time-management. It allows users to manage tasks from a computer or smartphone, both online and offline.”

If you like lists, this is the app for you. The good part about this app is that you can work on or off line, however it need much more input from you than many other of the alternatives. I this this would be better for professional use, because it would not be good for students that can not remember to make lists in the first place.

3. Focus Booster –  “A free desktop app that aims to help improve your focus and productivity. The app uses the pomodoro technique, a popular time management technique that divides focused work sessions into manageable, 25-minute intervals (referred to as ‘pomodoros’).” 

Whether you think a positive or negative, you cannot pause the app. Therefore, you are getting actual data and discipline. I think this would be good in both professional and personal use to monitor employees or children since you get accurate pictures.

4. Toggl – “A time tracking app that allows you to track your daily activities across different platforms; providing you with detailed insights and an opportunity to optimize your workflow by identifying areas where you can improve.”

This program is good because it works with mac and pc. Toggle is really beneficial in tracking time. I think this would be best used professionally as you can monitor employees and pay accordingly.

5. Evernote – “A cloud-based software service designed for creating, organizing and storing various of media files.”

This app allows you to take notes on any devices and sync easily. You can search for your notes really easily too. The only bad thing is the free account doesn’t give you enough service options. I think this would be beneficial in either professional or personal use, as it would make note taking an keeping really easy.

Answer: How might an online or blended classroom teacher use Fair Use when gathering resources for educational purposes? What observations have you made about Fair Use and the TEACH Act and how has it changed your approach to finding reliable content for your students?

When gathering resources for educational purposes, an instructor must use the Fair Use and TEACH Acts Four Factor Test, which states the four factor that must be taken into consideration are: (1) the purpose of use, (2) the nature of the work, (3) the portion used as it relates to the whole, and (4) the effect on the market.

The basic difference between the Fair Use and TEACH Act is that the Fair use is for anyone looking for an educational resource, while the TEACH Act is specifically for educators and media that is copied must be used in a asynchronous classroom setting.

I will now be much more careful now that I know the Fair Use policy, knowing that I can copy a few paragraphs for students that are necessary. It does not follow the Fair Use to copy a text to avoid buying it.