Module+II+Communication,+Networkds+the+Internet+and+World+Wide+Software

Module II Communication, Networks, the internet and World Wide Web  Digital Media Corner 1. Your Web, Your Way Web 2.0 is creating a new set of tools to empower educators, consumers, and businesses. Software producers have long used version numbers to designate upgrades to their products. Using the term Web 2.0 implies a series of enhancements and the term Web 2.0 derives its meaning from improvements to the basic infrastructure of the programs and servers supporting access to Web content. For all of us using the Web, the result of these enhancements is increased functionality of Web-based applications for uses in databases and general computing capabilities needed to make the Web work faster and more efficiently. The exciting news not only for education in particular but also for society as a whole is that these improvements have permitted new technologies for everyday users to create their own products, like classroom Weblogs, media sharing programs, social network Web sites, multiplayer online games, information catalogs, personal radio stations, and bookmark sharing programs. 2. Searching the Web As you know, getting your students to understand information literacy and efficiently searching the Web can be a daunting task. One of the many benefits of using emerging Web services is the ability for new and advanced search capabilities. So you can go above and beyond basics with greatly improved searches, Google has added customization capabilities to its search engine so your students and you can get better search results. 3. Instant Messaging from Anywhere Today's digital students use instant messaging (IM) as an essential tool to stay in touch with their friends and communicate with parents and teachers. People all over the world are using IM because of its quick and synchronous way to communicate with other people. Now, you can even take IM on the road, without the wires. Do you ever wonder what it really means to IM? This article will answer many of those questions. As a teacher, you need to know about the newest technology developments. Click here to see how IM works. Students can spend hours talking to their friends over the Internet. Since we know they enjoy chatting over IM, why not use IM as a classroom reading and writing activity. At this Web site, you will find some great ideas on how to turn instant messaging into an instructional tool for teaching in your classroom. 4. Flash Most people know about Flash as a plug-in that allows users to view digital media enhancements on the Web. Flash is also a popular software application. It is a dynamic digital media-creation program that can be used to create interactive animations, Web sites, presentations, games, Flash movies, and much more. There are great examples of Web sites using Flash designed for today's digital students that include extensive lessons and other resources for teaching and learning subjects like mathematics, science, and more. The Center for Technology Teacher Education (CTTE) offers a rich catalog of instructional aides that utilize Flash as a part of its programs. 5. TWICE: Two Way Interactive Connections in Education As you learned in Chapter 1, the majority of U.S. public schools have implemented United Streaming’s digital video library capabilities, but some schools are at the forefront of utilizing the speedy Internet for interactive education. TWICE, which stands for Two Way Interactive Connections in Education, promotes collaborative connections both nationally and regionally. For example, students sheltered from snowy weather in Detroit can visit NASA for a launch in tropical Cape Canaveral, Florida. While on their virtual field trip, students have the full attention of a NASA employee who receives and answers their questions in real time!