Blog 3 - Software/Applications and Web Services

Individual projects according to individual plans.

Your blog post response should be a review of a variety (3-5) of mobile device applications and/or web services that you find interesting. Be sure to list where you accessed the application or web service. Be sure to provide an explanation of how you could use the application or web service for learning. Note: you don't have to try these on a mobile device to review them, but if you do please indicate so. Be creative and have fun!

Session 3:

1. Researched and found articles for my bibliographies.
2. Met with Raul to discuss mobile device assignment.
3. Read, wrote and uploaded bibliographies.
4. Researched, reviewed and tried web services for blog post 3.
5. Thought about my 2nd project. I am thinking about revising my project proposal to construct an assignment using a mobile device instead of doing a book review. Reading the articles for my bibliographies gave some ideas on how to use mobile devices for learning.
   
6. Posted blog and emailed Dr. Newberry.

There were 3 web applications that I found interesting and would be helpful: Twitter, Poll Anywhere , and RSS feeds.

Twitter (http://twitter.com/) is a mini blog, social networking, web service. Mini because it only allows for 140 characters, similar to a SMS text message. Twitter enables users to send and read each others' post, known as tweets. Tweets can be sent or received in two ways, the authors' site or through text messages. I think tweets can be useful in the academic setting. Professors can tweet class announcements to students to keep them updated and on track. Students could follow the professor and updates will be sent to them. I tried using it and found it very simple to use and I really feel that it will benefit mobile learning.

Poll Anywhere (http://www.polleverywhere.com/) is an online polling web service. Participants can answer through text messages or online. This is similar to a clicker. Professors can create polls or quizzes online and students can answer using their mobile phones or the Internet. I did try this service and I was amazed by what it can do and most of all the service is free if participants are 30 or less. The results are displayed real time so students can view how the others voted.

RSS (Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary) feeds is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works—such as blog entries, news headlines, audio, and video—in a standardized format. An RSS document (which is called a "feed", "web feed" or, "channel") includes full or summarized text, plus metadata such as publishing dates and authorship (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS). RSS feeds can be used in education by allowing students to subscribe to RSS feeds that are relevant to the class. Professors can also make their own feeds and students can subscribe. I have been using feeds to keep myself updated and informed regarding website designs and development.