Google Sites

This is a web site that I established for my next class. It provides the basics of course description, a calendar, required textbook, and links to readings. I also added a currency converter as we will discuss the international economy in our class. Useful links include homework help, tutoring, The Economist, and About Economics which will hopefully assist the student. I discuss the current economy and provide news that explains what is happening in today's economy, for example, the debt ceiling. Finally, there is a countdown to the class start date. Additionally, I have added four emerging educational technologies and information about each of the technologies added.

Web-based Applications

Google docs allows multiple people in different places to work on the same document from any computer with Internet access. This eliminates the need to email a document, spreadsheet, or powerpoint back and forth to one another. With Google docs people can simultaneously work on a project together. This mitigates the challenges of geographic location, scheduling, and time constraints. A popular email service is Gmail which offers 25 GB for storage. I like it because it supports, at no extra cost, mobile access over devices like the iPhone, Android, and other phones. Google docs doesn’t require the purchase or installation of software. Although it is like some of the other applications we have learned about in that you can purchase an upgrade that allows for more storage or capability. It is popular with educators as there is an Education Edition at no cost to K-12 and higher education. It is also popular with students who like the on-the-go remote capability. They don’t have to worry about compatibility and can always be connected in their face paced lifestyle. One disadvantage could be the openness of the system for faculty to share, e.g., security of data. Another disadvantage is the flexibility of the software as it offers less functions and capability than other software. Yet another is loss of control of the information. Its strength lies in collaboration and exchange, allowing people to work with one another on a project and rapidly exchanges ideas. It allows sharing of information like syllabi and to public student work. Some improvements also include pivot tables in spreadsheets, capability for Cloud Connect to Microsoft Office, and videos uploads to the document. See this video as principals and teachers discuss the benefits of Google docs in education.

I would recommend Google docs to most co-workers. It has numerous uses and something that students should respond to. They can post syllabi, information, and have students exchange information. The students work collaborative on projects and an obstacle is frequently distance and schedules. Google docs helps reduce those obstacles.

Google has added functionality and flexibility by purchasing companies like YouTube, a popular video device. Just recently Google also bought the online photo editing application, Picnik. It lets you add effects, shapes, and crop photos. It is simple with no downloading or registering to get started. Google already has a product in the Google docs of Picasa, a similar photo device. The addition of Picnik makes Google docs more of a one-stop shop. Google is even considering eliminating the upgrade cost of Picnik Premium.

I would recommend Picnik for my co-workers. I think it is a valuable tool for capturing history, events, and activities. Students can use the photos to integrate into projects. I think it will be a great complement to the class activities.

Multiplier Effects

This is a brief demonstration, using Jing, that I intend to use in my class to explain the multiplier effects. Students often have difficulty understanding that an initial expenditure in the economy is added to subsequent Aggregate Demand (AD) shifts. Hopefully, this video will help them to better understand the concept of the multiplier in the economy.

Google Maps

This map shares select economic data on countries throughout the world.  This data includes Gross Domestic Product per capital, economic growth rate, population and growth rate, population per square mile, literacy rate, and life expectancy.  Students will be asked to review the countries and determine any correlations (direct or inverse), for example economic growth rate and population growth rate, GDP per capita and population growth rate, literacy and life expectancy, etc.  They will be asked to share their findings with the rest of the class.  We will draw a matrix tracking the correlations found by the students.


View Global GDP Per Capita, Population, and Literacy Rate in a larger map

Concept Mapping

This concept mapping helps students learn about the organization of the Federal Reserve system.  Specifically, it addresses the Board of Governors, the Federal Open Market Committee, Federal Reserve Bank, and member banks.  The intent is to insert blanks for some of the information, for example, __ members, __ directors, __ banks, __ branches.  I can also insert the lines, but ask them to label them accordingly, for example, elect, appoint, or approve.  I do not currently have an interactive exercise for this, rather a powerpoint slide that describes the organization.  This mapping concept or interactive tool will enhance the students’ learning and provide for meaningful learning as opposed to rote type learning. 

Delicious Directions

I am learning about a social bookmarking service called Delicious.  It allows me to share with others and discover new bookmarks.  Share with me by going here.

 Delicious is a social bookmarking website – used to store bookmarks online, which allows you to access the same bookmarks from any computer and add bookmarks from anywhere, too.

Key wins:  Got rid of the hard to remember del.icio.us URL.  Tags allow you to organize and remember your bookmarks, which is a much more flexible system than folders.  Acquired by Yahoo in 2005 for an estimated $10-$15 million.

Key losses: Founder Joshua Schachter left to join Google on January 12, 2009

Business Use:  Easy for employees in the same department to keep track of relevant sites and articles.  Also for content and entertainment producers it’s an easy way to determine which articles/postings the general public finds most relevant.

Coach:   Managed and purchased 2005 by Yahoo – Sunnyvale, CA, then sold to AVOS Systems on April 27, 2011.

Source:   Socialnomics, March 9, 2009.

Podcasts

This podcast discusses the Colonization of Africa and is part of the social studies podcasts included at the Education Podcast Network (EPN).  The site lists hundreds of podcasts including math, science, music, computer skills, dance, art, and the First Amendment Minute series that discusses different issues concerning the First Amendment in one minute.  There is also a section of podcasts developed by elementary, middle, and secondary school students.