BP02_iGoogle_PLE

BP02_iGoogle PLE

I love iGoogle.  Since discovering the tool during the first month of EMDT, I have used it as my home page and adding as I see fit.  I have all of my links here.  Many times, I use it even though I am used to going to my page of choice.  It is just more time efficient to click <home>and then the link I want.  I was excited to learn some more options in this class.  Let me share…

My Homepage

My homepage used to be my go to location.  Primarily, because I did not know that you could add tabs.  One of my main complaints with the product was that my homepage was getting very lengthy.  I really like the feature that allows me to separate my resources by the different aspects of my life.  As you can see, on my homepage now, I have my box of links with all of my various emails and my other information resources that I deem important.  The To Do list is vital and I note everything there that crosses my mind.  However, due to assignment requirements I had to move my Twitter and Facebook to a more prominent location.  I preferred to have my pet tree frog…

My FSO/AR Page

Again, one of the better features is being able to separate the resources.  Most of the boxes on this page, I had already developed on my homepage.  To move them, it was a simple drag and drop.  I didn’t have to input all of the info again.  I create these boxes of links, as I locate new tools.  Many times I hear about a resource, I put it in a special box to look up and try out later.  I keep my “Pending” Toolbox on the last page, which I will show you.

Updates to this page include a specific AR To Do List, My research box, and my Writing Resource box.  These are all relevant to completing my AR Program.  As my project continues, I will also add boxes for my project assets. 

Resources Vs. Multimedia Tab

The last newly created tab is my resources tab.  This is the tab that organizes my various resources used in my ETC Class.  However, this is where I have issues with the assignment.  We began the assignment watching pretty impressive videos highlighting your own personal learning environment.  Immediately following the hype we are mandated to construct or reconstruct our space to exact specifications.  I understand the need for easy grading, but maybe one assignment could be ultimately unique to prove the power of the tool.  Perhaps maybe even have a peer evaluation rubric to speed grading.  Regardless, I followed directions…But…

I included my original page as well.  I called mine the Multimedia Tools area instead of resources.  I like mine because it organizes the various types of tools into boxes.  I have areas for my animation, my video creations, as well as my various toolboxes.  The toolboxes are then organized into sound, photo, and Web tools.  The last box on the page is my pending box.  Thus far, I want to explore Edmodo, Glogster, Funkified and Songified.  They don’t have links yet.  Once I examine the tool, they will earn a permanent place in a box of tools or disappear. 

This is the feature that I like best, individuality.  You can create whatever you want and will use.  If I don’t use it, I can lose it and not clutter up my learning environment.  I am a big one for keeping my immediate area (my desk, computer etc.) clean and organized.  If I don’t the clutter seeps into my mind and I cannot focus.  Early in my career I was nuts about folders, files, and binders.  Now, I am converting to everything digital.  This is the answer to my problems – A True digital binder.  Yeah!