2008
08.25

Instant messaging has been proven time and time again to make any work or learning environment more efficient and productive. Instant messaging is a way of instant communication across the internet or local network. Both users use the same client where they can send from 140 characters up to a couple of paragraphs, depending on the service. It is very similar to text messaging on cell phones, but it is a bit faster and is meant for more of a conversation then a text message is.

In the business world, employees are able to communicate from great distances quickly making communication cheaper, faster, and more efficient (Stafford). In the education system they are also making great head way. Instant messaging allows students to ask teachers questions about homework, grades, or any other question they have, and get an answer very promptly. Students can also ask each other questions or collaborate together on projects creating more team work among students. Blackboard, a widely used course management software, has instant messaging built in it, so next week I will write about the possibility of using Blackboard (Blackboard).


“Blackboard Launches Instant Messaging Within Blackboard Learn(TM).” PR Newswire (April 2, 2009): NA. Academic OneFile. Gale. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. 14 Apr. 2009 .

Stafford, Tom. “Introduction to the special issue on instant messaging in the workplace.(Technical report).” IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication 51.4 (Dec 2008): 350(2). Academic OneFile. Gale. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. 14 Apr. 2009 .

2008
08.18

Tech Dare

Oolewah High School Technology teachers,

In your mission statement, your eighth goal is to “develop and expand technology to enhance teaching and learning.” Until the end of your school year, I will be posting a new item a week to help expand technology and enhance teaching and learning in your classes (Ooltewah). I dare each one of you to read the weekly posts and think about how you could take the suggestion and implement it, how it could help, and if it would be worth it. You do not have to implement any of my suggestions; I just dare you to honestly think about using each one of them.

Please note: The title of each post meant for you all will start as “OHS:”


Ooltewah High School. “Mission Statement.” 12 April 2009 . Path: School; Handbook; Mission Statement.