The challenge for this week is to communicate with new tools.
The first part of the challenge was to select an asynchronous tool and a synchronous tool and if possible use them with a partner.
The first problem - I am the shy girl in the corner who likes to work with people she knows; and I don't know anyone in my course - Sweaty palms, procrastination and OMG what am I going to now!
Synchronous tools are tools that allow you to communicate in 'real time' and often face to face.
A tool that I am developing in this area is skype - especially skype messenger. Skype messenger is like having a 'buddy'. It is a quick, continuous and discrete way to communicate with others. It saves time, and can link the isolated with the real world. This is one tool that I rely on as a leader. This might change once I start skyping my way around the world and have to deal with time zones.
At this stage it is very much a teacher tool. Why am I not using it in the classroom? I do not know but for some reason I just can't seem to get it started with the kids. - why? parent expectation. It has taken 18months for parents to feel comfortable about the use of a school website and children's photos being on there. The jury is still out on the benefits of e-portfolios, so I am a little hesitant about how skype might be received. Having said that I am keen to try doing a novel study or book sharing adventure using skype - ??? any takers???
Asynchronous tools - dont happen at the same time - blogs, FB, Youtube ... well most of us use these tools without thinking although I am aware the many of these tools are changing. Google docs can be both real time and read later, and the same can be said for twitter.
After reading this chapter I am now looking forward to quad-blogging and putting some familiar and not so familiar tools into action.
This will also help with my very first problem of being the shy girl in the corner..
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