Social bookmarking was something new for me. When I created the delicious account, I was not quite sure how it was going to save me time at all. I then realized that it is an excellent tool because I can have everything that I need and want right there, in the same place, organized just how I want it. I often have had trouble with bookmarking on my own computer and then needing that information when I am working on another computer. Delicious made it so easy to be able to access the sites and information that I want wherever I am. This reason, to me, makes social bookmarking a great option for students. They will be working on several different computers (lab computers, home, library...) and will be able to obtain their previous work. The idea of sharing resources is great as well. It would be amazing to be able to share resources electronically in your department. It is nice because teachers can post new resources as they find them without having to worry about emailing links to several people, making copies of materials, or remembering to share in the next department meeting. It can be available at our fingertips, 24/7 and accessible from any computer. That seems like how I would use a delicious account the most (with my fellow teachers). I also see though how in a group project, students could use social bookmarking just as well. I would want each student to do his or her own work and research, but I think that because of how it is set up, teachers can monitor it pretty easily. My next thoughts about social bookmarking involve parents. I would love to set up a delicious account for parents to be able to access and use. I would bookmark things from the school's website such as the calendar, important announcements, staff directory, and other schedules. I would also bookmark the class website, the online system used for grading and attendance, other online class tools (maybe we would have a blog or a wiki), and resources for help with the most current topics of the class. It seems like a parent would love to be able to have access to these sites all in one place. If his or her student is struggling with a certain topic in class, a bookmark to each topic would be available on a delicious account to help the student. Sometimes a different explanation (and sometimes from someone else) is all it takes. Overall, my opinion about social bookmarking is that it is a positive, useful, and efficient tool for educators, students, and parents as well.
In chapter one of our book, I read about how the field has been defined over the years. Before the chapter even began, in the Overview, the book states that "It is unlikely that there will ever be a generally agreed-upon answer to this question." (Referring to which definitions are best). I immediately agreed with that statement and went into reading the chapter with that mindset-no one will ever agree on it and I may even like some parts of some definitions and some of others.
It was interesting to me how the name of the field has varied so much. "Audiovisual" seems so outdated and definitely not appropriate for what we do today in our field. I believe that "Educational Design and Technology" is appropriate for now based on the explanation from the book (that it includes both design procedures and the usage)...unless I read more that changes my mind!
I did not realize how far back this field goes and that it started with simple educational films, slides, and even pictures, models, and exhibits. To me, flat pictures are not technology...but I'm sure they were in the early years of our field. As the technology improved, the definitions became more and more complex and involved. By more complex, I am not referring to the language used, I am referring to the devices, processes, and skill sets that the new technology allows. Some of the definitions (such as the first definition of 1970) are extremely limited in what is considered "technology" in the classroom. The 1994 definition, to me, is too broad and does not necessarily include any form of specific technology. That definition, "the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management, and evaluation of processes and resources for learning", is one that could be for the term "education" or "teaching" or I'm sure several others. So, after reading the entire chapter, I am convinced that my favorite definition is that from AECT that was created in 2006. "Educational Technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological processes and resources". I really like this because it includes a little bit of everything-the educational piece, the processes, and the actual technology tools being used. It is not limited nor is it too broad. Can anything be too broad with the abilities that we have today? I don't know. The definition also mentions ethics, which I think and have previously expressed my opinions that technology cannot take over the learning processes. I see this definition being used for awhile in our field, but as things change, I'm sure it will too.
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