Technology+Toolbox+Critique

Below are the criteria we used to critique various Web 2.0 tools that we have explored during the summer quarter. The criteria we chose were usability, cost, security, and ability to use the tool in the classroom. When we refer to usability we critiqued the tools on how difficult it was to use the program in general. We looked to see how easy it was to navigate the tools, and whether it was difficult to understand how to begin using the tool. With cost, we considered if the tool was free or if there was a fee one must pay before being able to access and use the tool. When we considered security, we looked to see if there was an option for a secure account within the tool by means of a password or username, which is important in the context of classroom use. This takes us to the last criteria, which was the tools applicability and use in the secondary classroom. When critiquing the tools, we looked to see if it could actually be used as a worthwhile instructional tool, or whether it was too complicated and useless to consider. Tools will be evaluated based on the following: **Criteria Rating Comments** Usability || 5 4 3 2 1 ||  How difficult is it to use the program? || Cost ||  5 4 3 2 1  ||  Is this tool free? If not, what is the cost? || Security ||  5 4 3 2 1  ||  Is there an option to have a user name and password? || Use in the classroom ||  5 4 3 2 1  ||  Can the tool be used as a worthwhile instructional tool? || **1. Browser: __Mozilla Firefox__** **Criteria Rating Comments** Usability || 5    ||  Mozilla is very easy to install. || Cost ||  5  ||  Free || Security ||  5  ||  It has a strong reputation for being a safe browser. || Use in the classroom ||  5  ||  It is highly customizable and can be used on both PCs and Macs. || **2. Aggregator Checklist: __Bloglines__** **Criteria Rating Comments** Usability || 4    ||  It seems pretty straightforward, but there is some initial confusion as to where the user should go to create a blog. || Cost ||  5  ||  Free || Security ||  5  ||  You needed to register immediately before you could really see anything, which was nice. It seems that information is fairly secure and monitored. || Use in the classroom ||  4  ||  This program could be used to organize information on a web site related specifically to the teacher’s content area or current unit. ||
 * __WEB 2.0 Tools: Technology Toolbox__**

**3. Social Bookmarking: __Furl__** **Criteria Rating Comments** Usability || 5    ||  Very self-explanatory web site. It has tons of prompts and sections all in categories to promote searching ideas. || Cost ||  5  ||  Free to join and create a basic account. || Security ||  5  ||  There was not really a need for protection, unless you wanted to create your own “lens” so you could post your own information. For that there was a password and username required. || Use in the classroom ||  4  ||  It has a free premium account specifically designed for educators. ||

**4. Internet Search Tools: __Search.com__** **Criteria Rating Comments** Usability || 5    ||  Easy to search and use. It uses a variety of search engines and shows you which one each result comes from. || Cost ||  5  ||  Free  || Security ||  5  ||  Appears safe and appropriate for students to use. || Use in the classroom ||  5  ||  Very useful as an educational tool because it provides suggestions for narrowing or expanding your search. ||

**5. WebStart: __Protopage__** **Criteria Rating Comments** Usability || 4    ||  The user can create a personalized space, which may include blogs, news feeds, links, etc. Easy to delete existing widgets and add new ones. || Cost ||  5  ||  Free  || Security ||  5  ||  Appears safe and appropriate for students to use. || Use in the classroom ||  4  ||  It seems that this space may be particularly useful as an informational page. As it is, it does not seem interactive for students, but you can add widgets tailored to your class. || **6. WebStart: __Edublogs__** **Criteria Rating Comments** Usability || 5    ||  Many possibilities on this site. You can create a safe blog which students can easily access. Features are clear and easy to follow. || Cost ||  5  ||  Free  || Security ||  5  ||  Requires a username and password and offers a range of security options, from public blog to private blog. || Use in the classroom ||  5  ||  This tool is specifically designed for the classroom. Teachers can get students writing their own blogs, communicate with parents, upload materials, and post podcasts. || **7. WikiSpaces** **Criteria Rating Comments** Usability || 4  ||  The program is not difficult to use; however, it does have a learning curve. Through some experimentation it was fairly easy to learn how to post pictures, new pages, and text. || Cost ||  5   ||  Free! You do have register and provide a valid email address. || Security ||  5   ||  Quite good. You can have a private setting and no one can alter your page. You have to invite people to see your page. || Use in the classroom ||  4   ||  The only drawback is the above mentioned learning curve. If students have the time to learn a new tool successfully, I believe this is a safe and effective tool. ||

**8. Web-based Word Processing** **Criteria Rating Comments** Usability || 5  ||  If you are familiar with other Google programs Google Docs is presented in the same format and the learning curve is low. || Cost ||  5   ||  Free! It requires a signup with a valid email address. However, if you already have a Google account you don’t have to signup. || Security ||  5   ||  Great. You have the ability to make the document public, private, and invite select people to view or edit your document. || Use in the classroom ||  4   ||  I think this would be a great tool for students working on group projects. However, as with all tools you must consider how much time it will take students to learn to use this tool effectively. ||

**9. Google Docs – Spreadsheet** **Criteria Rating Comments** Usability || 5  ||  If you are familiar with other Google programs Google Docs spreadsheet function presented in the same format and the learning curve is low. It is part of the Google Docs program and will not require another signup or learning a new interface. You also have the ability to edit presentations in Google Docs which could be another useful class tool. || Cost ||  5   ||  Free! It requires a signup with a valid email address. However, if you already have a Google account you don’t have to signup. || Security ||  5   ||  Great. You have the ability to make the document public, private, and invite select || Use in the classroom ||  4   ||  I think this would be a great tool for students working on group projects. However, as with all tools you must consider how much time it will take students to learn to use this tool effectively. || **10. Creative Writing: __Glypho__** **Criteria Rating Comments** Usability || 4    ||  This site appears very easy to use and navigate. It allows users to write a story and get feedback from others in the areas of title, plot, and characters. || Cost ||  5  ||  Free  || Security ||  4  ||  Requires a screen name and password. This site also requires an email address which may make it difficult for students to use. You cannot sign in for the first time until you sign up, check your email, then follow the link to sign in. || Use in the classroom ||  3  ||  This site could definitely be used for high school students to work on creative writing projects. I have not figured out if there is a way to only allow certain users to make suggestion. If that is possible, it would be more useful in the classroom. || **11) Assessment Tools: Hot Potatoes** Usability ||   4     ||  There are several different types of assessment tools within Hot Potatoes, but some are difficult to figure out how to get started and how to input information.  || Cost  ||   5  ||  Free  || Security  ||   5  ||  Very secure, due to the fact that individual students can all separately use the assessments and have their scores sent directly to the teacher.  || Use in the classroom  ||   4  ||  This tool is well designed for specific types of assessment for classrooms. However, more in-depth assessment might be needed for a more formal summative assessment given the nature of the type of quizzes and exams available in the program.  || **12. Podcasting - Audacity**  **Criteria Rating Comments**  Usability ||   4   ||  If you have the equipment needed to record sound on your computer and have downloaded the program it is quite usable. There is a learning curve because there are so many ways to alter your recording and make a better quality recording. || Cost ||  5   ||  Free, and no registration needed. || Security ||  5  ||  Depending on where you publish your podcast the security is good. The program is downloaded to your computer, and if you are concerned about privacy you can publish on a private blog or wiki. || Use in the classroom ||  5   ||  This is a great tool for teachers; they can create and publish podcasts for their students. It could also be a great way for students to share ideas; however the instructor must keep in mind the new interface students would have to learn and the equipment they would need to record a podcast. ||

**13) Screencasting: Teachertube.com** Usability ||   5     ||  This site is very self-explanatory, especially if the user has any knowledge of youtube.com. There is a wide array of video options to watch as well as easy availability for uploads.   || Cost  ||   5  ||  Free  || Security  ||   5  ||  It is not required, but there is the possibility to create your own account, which gives a higher level of security. However, there are also videos, which are open to the public, and can be viewed without an account.  || Use in the classroom  ||   5  ||  This tool is specifically designed for the classroom, and for teachers. The videos that are uploaded on the site are content-centered, and there is a large variety of different educational videos which could be used in the classroom.  ||