Applications and Web Services

Session #3
ETEC 676 D, Summer-09
Applications and Web Services for Mobile Devices

In session 3, I found several websites that could be helpful in the classroom.
First, I will talk about the Twitter website http://twitter.com/, and the services if offer. I will degined a lesson for this website in the classroom. Next, I will focus on Educational Application for the iPhone website http://web.me.com/dowd/Touch/Welcome.html , and what services it has to offer teacher. Then I will talk about how I can use this particular website in the classroom.

Last, I visited Poll Anywhere http://www.polleverywhere.com/ , these websites I got from my etec676D, on blackboard.

After reviewing the list of media links and listening to the pod cast I had to sit back and ask myself, “Is technology via mobile devices the new from of human tracking devices?” Twitter is the prime example of the society in which we currently live. Everyone is so caught up in themselves that they actually have the audacity to believe that the rest of civilization cares what they thought, wore ate or where they went in the course of one day….How ever on the converse side technology via mobile devices can also be a life line to constant information and education. Twitter is also a strong example of this if you opt to follow certain outlets such as CNN. As a follower of CNN you get breaking news as soon if not sooner than you would if watching television, listening to the radio or reading any new publication. In fact it is access via mobile devices that are driving other media forms into extinction.

Despite having educational advantages some of these sites are developed for social networking such as Facebook, subscribers to face book can keep in contact with their family, friends and co workers without even dialing a number or sending an email. All they have to do is go to that individual’s page and they will get a 1 min update on what is going on with them by reading their status or glancing at their profile.

Awareness is the educational tool that this site uses. Anyone can create a group and invite the world to join in and support the cause. MTV actually used this model to enhance their pro-social outreach by creating www.think.mtv.com. This site allows young people to reach out and enlighten others about causes near and dear to their hearts via blogs and uploads.

The iPone frenzy flared up again recently with the release of the iPhone 3GS. I went to the apple.com site to see what all the fuss was about and learned that the new super version of the iphone offers its owners the advantage of faster performances, a video camera, voice control cut and paste features and gps abilities. This does not even touch on the countless apps that are available to subscribers. The convenience that this phone offers users is part of the mass appeal. It is likened to having a mini office with all of the amenities required to conduct business literally at ones finger tips. The learning component that exists within this device is that is allows you to explore sites with ease creating a process which allows knowledge to flow at the speed of light. Well at least 32Gb’s worth of knowledge. In regards to education applications, while on the educational application for the iPhone page

I discovered they have apps that will help users in school balance their entire lives from homework assignments, schedule, and help with specific subjects such as Spanish and art. I found it quite interesting that this home page starts out with the statement, “I remember when my cell phone only made calls.” This statement embodies the mentality of consumers today. For the amount of money they invest they want products that will be multi faceted and help make their lives easier.

As an educator I was left in awe of the Palm Software for Educators. Being able to have parents and fellow students view event that transpire in a class session would be extremely helpful in the course of constructing class curriculum and activities. Educators will be able to share notes with one another and parents would be able to take note as to which learning styles works best for their child. This site is clearly a sign of the changes that are on hand and the technology that is on the horizon.

Of the listing of websites I found browsing on the Poll Anywhere site to be the most fascinating. It is educational to its very core in that the site’s foundation is to educate it’s users to the likes, dislikes and wants of their consumers. The benefits of this are evident and I would recommend it to anyone who offers a service or owns a business. In this day and age it is probably the fastest and most efficient way to get feedback from the target audience. The key element is that it allows people to be engaged in an interactive manner which seems to the common thread among these successful mobile accessed sites. Education in most cases is present however as a bi-product of the original intent of the site.