Article #1

Maggie McDaniel
4/16/2008

Soules, A (3/2008).Bridging The Gap: Tools For E-learning. EBSCOhost. 15, p13-16 4p.

http://0-proquest.umi.com.topcat.switchinc.org:80/pqdweb?did=1444076511&sid=1&Fmt=6&clientId=23251&RQT=309&VName=PQD

This article describes the connection between outdated technology/multimedia to the current multimedia ideas/software. The author describes options for Web 2.0 and other E- learning tools that are available for media specialists/educators. It is mentioned in the article that students coming out of k-12 aren’t as digitally savvy as expected. Many school districts around the country still can’t afford computer equipment. What the author suggests is these less fortunate districts should try to contacting large businesses that are upgrading their technical equipment or seek government or private grants. The article gave many examples of online E- learning tools that can enhance the class participation and help create peer collaboration. With Web 2.0 teachers can create blogs or “wikis”. The students can post all their assignments on their blogs. The teacher can access at anytime and anywhere. Students are more eager to click away on blogs and write without considering it a chore only because it’s a new idea or concept. Another cooperative technique the article suggests is to create a class “wiki”. Pbwiki.com is free and it’s easy to use. Teachers should set up the “wiki” and invite each student to join. Students can edit and create documents together.
The article also suggests using another Web 2.0 tool “del.icio.us instead of bookmarking. del.icio.us can be accessed from any computer connected to the internet. URLs can be tagged providing descriptors for each site. Another useful tool that was discussed in the article is LibraryThing.com. Visitors can list all books they are reading. LibraryThing.com creates a widespread ready family that makes the process more social. The article suggested several Web 2.0 tools that educators should adopt. However, the technology gap is still too wide and there are still districts that need equipment and funding to upgrade.