Desire 2 Learn

When looking for an appropriate web-based learning platform, there are a number of roads that may be traveled. From a mainstream perspective, there are three platforms to use: Moodle, Desire2Learn, and Blackboard. Of these three I am most familiar with Desire2Learn. Being that Desire2Learn is used at Saint Cloud State University, where I attend college, I use Desire2Learn daily and may have a slight bias towards the product. Desire2Learn has created a system, used over the internet, with information such as: grade reports, important documents, syllabi, and any other information provided by the instuctor can be easily and efficiently accessed. Of course there are drawbacks to the program. First and foremost, Desire2Learn is expensive and can be a burden on small school districts or systems with a limited budget. In addition, live interaction between students and/or instructors can be limited to e-mail or posted statements. Nonetheless, Desire2Learn is a helpful communicator of information for students and instructors alike.
Jon

Google Docs and Zoho Writer

Both Google Docs and Zoho Writer are free alternatives to other document production programs such as Microsoft Office or Clarisworks. Although there are not as many excessive features in the free alternatives, all the essentials are there to produce clean and professional looking documents. I did feel more comfortable using Google Docs because it was more simplified and easier to pick out the familiar buttons and menu bars. That is not to take away from Zoho Writer, which might actually have more features to take advantage of (although you may not use them all). Nonetheless, I still think I would choose Google Docs over Zoho Writer, even with a more limited menu bar, because of its simplified approach to document production.  Both of these products would be extremely attractive alternatives to the costly word processing software being used in today's schools.  

RSS Feed

The RSS application is incredibly time saving and convenient.  The purpose of the application is to organize information so that rather than you searching for information, the information is delivered to you.  Whether the information is for updating you on current events, sending you the latest sports scores, or passing along your friends latest blog post, RSS saves time and keeps you up-to-date.  In the classroom this can save time on both ends of the spectrum.  If you are an instructor, information can be easily accessed and organized in one place, rather than jumping from page to page.  On the other hand, if you are a student, important information (grades, assignments, etc.) can be easily and efficiently accessed.  All in all, the RSS application is another example of how when technology is harnessed, individuals and groups alike can become much more efficient.  

Jon