Communication and Collaboration

     As the semester progresses, I am certainly learning many new ways to use technology in education.  The educational tools for communication and collaboration seem to be endless.  I have found great value in programs such as google drive and wikis in regard to working in groups to revise documents.  Based on the videos Dr. May has posted, as well as other sources  regarding these programs, it seems there is some overlap between google drive and wikis.  However, google drive seems to offer many more applications.  As with any technology, more options can also lead to more confusion when collaborating with a group.  Depending on the goal of the project, a wiki may be more straightforward, even though it has fewer options.  Google drive also has a mobile app available, providing easy access for those who frequently work on the go.  Here is a link to elaborate on the possibilities google drive offers.  PBworks also offers an educational edition that is specifically focused on meeting the goals of academic wiki needs.   Click on this pbworks link to get connected to more wiki resources.

Additionally, in the past two weeks, the presentation exercise was very educational for me.  I chose to use Prezi for my presentation.  While there was a bit of a learning curve for me initially, once I got the hang of it, my presentation came together without too much trouble.   I will say, I found it to be easier to utilize prezi from my Mac desktop than my windows based laptop.    I am not sure if the operating system was the greatest influencing factor, or if just the fact that a desktop was easier for me.  The voice recording function was also much easier on my desktop computer.  I posted my prezi in a separate blog entry, just for my own ease of reference, but here is the prezi link again, just in case you missed it.  This assignment was also very beneficial to me, as I got to see multiple types of presentation technologies in action by viewing my classmates' presentations.    I particularly enjoyed Jessica Clendenen's screencast presentation, Mercier Cooney's prezi and Erin Hoying's prezi, all for various reasons.   The screencast presentation is something I have not used before, and believe to be particularly useful in the academic setting.  Jessica did a nice job with the demonstration of how to use the technology, as well as the educational content of the presentation as well.  Mercier jazzed up her prezi with some snappy music, and Erin embedded video.  These tools were engaging and serve to improve the learner's attention to the content.  I certainly plan to try these formats and tools both in my personal academic endeavors as well as my teaching.

Prezi on RSI medications

I attempted a new presentation tool called prezi.   I had a little trouble, but overall not too bad.  For some reason, the narration that coordinates with the first slide does not play.   It shows on the pathway/ edit toolbar down the side, but does not play in presentation mode.   I am not sure why.

Here is my prezi on RSI medications, if you would like to take a look
https://prezi.com/sypgnqarh2b9/

Becoming more blog savvy

   

     Throughout the majority of the past week, I have found myself incredibly frustrated with my new adventures in blogging.   A good majority of the time, I couldn't even manage to log into my own blog. What I did not realize at the time was even though I had not opened my UIndy email with that particular session on the computer, it was still up and going in the dark reaches of my computer's background/ brain.  After a cry for help (thanks Dr. May),  and a purposeful attempt to step away and regroup, I am back to blogging again.  

     One thing I have learned is the trick to adding a link.  While there is the obvious Link  on the toolbar, there is also some sneaky details of requiring all the URL details.  So, here is the link for learning how to add a link.  Let's hope it works!   There is also a page with instructions for adding an image.  Both of these links are from the blogging for dummies website.  As I was searching the web, I felt that site might be most applicable to me!  Blogging for dummies was very helpful for me, and there are more topics on their site to help, but I am taking baby steps.  

     Throughout my technology exploration, I have read multiple articles about the usage of technology in nursing education.  One article I found particularly interesting was an executive summary report from the state of Oregon.  In effort to stretch the faculty resources and reach as many students as possible, Oregon schools of nursing have implemented video conferencing, simulators and other avenues of technology.  There were common barriers identified, but, found the barriers were worth the improvements in curriculum delivery.  

     An educational technology newsletter focusing on the nursing profession was published by UMASS Boston.  This newsletter addresses the use of technology in nursing, and also has live links that redirect to a wide variety of technology adjuncts and how they may be applied to nursing curriculum.  This newsletter was also quite interesting.