Universal Design for Learning
Tools 2.0
Canvas Instructure is one of the best online learning platforms available. It offers some unique Web 2.0 features. However, Canvas Instructure's best attribute is its ability to convey information intuitively. Canvas Instructure makes it easy for students and instructors to navigate the well-designed site. The platform isn't without its faults. But, overall, Canvas Instructure simply feels better to use than most other online learning platforms.
Pros of using canvas
Intuitive, easy-to-use format
Clean, simple design
Makes grading and viewing grades easy
Social media integration
source:
http://distancelearn.about.com/od/onlinecourses/gr/Canvas-Instructure-Review.htm
Pinterest is a virtual pinboard website. Pinterest.com lets you organize and share all the ideas/things you find on the web by a click of a button. Their mission
statement says it all, “Our goal is to connect everyone in the world through the ‘things’ they find interesting. We think that a favorite book, toy, or recipe can reveal a common link between two people. With millions of new pins added every week, Pinterest
is connecting people all over the world based on shared tastes and interests.”
Why do I think that Pinterest is wonderful for educators?
Because it is another great Personal Learning Network (PLN) site for educators! Pinterest allows educators to follow others from all over the world through visuals which is different from other social sites such as Twitter. Teachers can share sites ideas, lessons and blogs they enjoy by “pinning” pictures.
Pinterest has motivated and inspired me to try new things in the classroom. If it wasn’t for Pinterest, I wouldn’t have thought of using a hula-hoop to help teach students to tell time or to use popsicle sticks with A, B, C, D and yes and no on them to complete a quick formative assessment. Through Pinterest I have learned about new blogs and resources that other teachers have deemed worthy.
Pinterest is fun and like anything new can be addicting! Test it out yourself and give it a try; what do you have to lose besides gaining great ideas based on your interests! To follow my boards (warning- not all are educational) by clicking on the follow me button on right side of my blog.
Click on these links below to learn more about Pinterest and/or visitwww.pinterest.com
Source:
http://insidetheclassroomoutsidethebox.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/pinterest-another-great-pln-site/
Google+, however, is something different and as such needs new language to explain the experience. In essence…Google has added a “social layer across the services” people love and use every day. We can see this includes search, Gmail, YouTube, Calendars, Android and so on… As Vic Gundotra says, it is difficult to understand until people experience it. So when people ask, “What is Google Plus?” there is the temptation of saying it is “like Facebook” or “like Twitter” but once you get involved, it is not that similar to either. Yes they all involve “social” and “people” and “communication”, and both of those other social networks can be great at doing what they do, but Google+ is something different. It is bringing people together within the context of many of Google’s services. It is, quite simply, something to be experienced for yourself. This is also why so many people cannot understand the concept of Google+. It is not simply a new social media platform, and many people are yet to grasp the concept of a social layer.
http://www.martinshervington.com/what-is-google-plus/