Benefits Of Online Collaboration In The Classroom

I found that the use of online collaboration with Google Docs and Poll Everywhere, very engaging. I believe that emerging technology into the classroom encourage educators to rethink elements of traditional classroom teaching. According to a recent study teachers who use technology frequently in their classrooms perceive greater benefits to student learning--particularly learning 21st century skills--than teachers who are less frequent users (thejournal.com). Online collaboration allows students the opportunity to share thoughts, and interact with peers. For example, Google Docs is an easy-to-use online word processor, spreadsheet and presentation editor that enables students to create, store and share instantly while collaborating online in real time. The benefit of Google Docs enables multiple people in different locations to collaborate simultaneously on the same doc from any computer with Internet access. For example, students working on a project together, can write a document, keep track of their work in a spreadsheet, create a presentation and a drawing to share with other people involved in the project. Students are also able to make changes to the document, spreadsheet, or drawing in real time where the others students can see them.

Poll Everywhere another online collaboration tool, was also very interguing. Poll Everywhere (http://www.polleverywhere.com) is a service that allows groups of individuals to vote within user-generated polls using a mobile phone’s text messaging capability or a simple web form. Increase

In text, messaging has become a primary communication tool among many students. With the poll everywhere, site educators now have the availability to include online quizzes and surveys through text messaging.

Google docs and Poll Everywhere can be beneficial to both teachers and students. Inclusion of collaboration technology tools into the classroom would enhance teaching and learning. An online collaborative learning environment will promote active learning through student interaction, critical thinking skills, creativity, and discovery. Research has shown that engaging students in the learning process is an important step in promoting deep and lasting learning. I think using technology to foster collaboration among students, would have positive effect on students achievement.

Shift Happens

Does technology help or hurt the lives of society? Watching the “Shift Happens” video makes me question? In a cultural that relies heavily on technology, it is not difficult to find differing opinions.


Many people argue that technology helps to improve our standard of living by making our lives more pleasant and comfortable. Technology has changed our lives in ways that are too numerous to count. Over the past decade, technology has had an enormous impact on society. Technology allows us to do extraordinary things such as work and play more efficiently. We can get limitless amount of information in an instant and communicate through elaborate online social networks. Technology is changing rapidly, what use to have a 10 year lifespan is obsolete in less than a year. According to the “Shift Happens” video, the amount of new technical information is doubling every 2 years. For example the number of years it took to reach a market audience of 50 million has change significantly, according to “Shift Happens” it took Radio 38 years, TV 13 years Internet 4 years, I pod 3 years, and Face book 2 years.

Rapid change in technology is also evident in our education system. American students continue to fall when compared to those in other countries. 50 years ago Americans ranked first in the world with the number of young adults who had a high school diploma or a college degree. However today “the 25% of India’s population with the highest IQ’s… is greater than the total population of the United States” according to the video “Shift Happens”. I personally find that statement to be astonishing, and question rather techno gadgets has helped America’s youth.

Despite some peoples beliefs I think the new epidemic of techno gadgets has become an addiction to society. A good example is the amount of cell phone texting, according to the Shift Happen video, the number of text message exceeds the total population of the planet. Online social networks also have enormous impact on society, the number of register users on My Space and Face Book is over 200 hundred million. From young to old technology has affect society in every way, from daily living to being entertain technology plays a big role in our life. According to “Shift Happens” the # 1 ranked country in Broadband Internet penetration is Bermuda, United States rank # 19 and Japan rank # 22. As global expansion of technology becomes more imperative for everyday life society is force to question, rather technology is a blessing or a curse.

My First Day in Class

First Day in Class

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