Social Software

The social software that I have reviewed and used is Myspace.com. It allows users to Send messages via blog comments, email or instant message withing the software (i.e. you can see whether your friends are currently online while you are logged in and can begin a chat session). MySpace also has a music and video element that allows users to share personal or favorite videos and songs. The registration is free and it is widely used and highly popular.

A small setback is that there are no applications within the site available to allow for recording or some type of video or sound editing. You basically post what you've done. The advantage, as it relates to learning is that is is easy to use, it can be customized and it is free. Instructors/Teachers can create a blog using myspace and post an audio or video lecture and prompt students to comment within the blog by posting their own audio response. Chat meetings can be set up or teachers can post their times of availablity and have students check the class blog to see if the teacher is logged on should they need feedback or have questions. Or students can be directed to POST their questions in a specific blog initated with a subject.

Review the presentation about MySpace
Review the my podcast comments about MySpace

Raptivity Use

I used raptivity to create a quiz on perspective. It was surprisingly easy to use and I would definitely purchase it if I had a pressing need for it and the resources to afford it. I viewed the other interactivity examples and I see how useful it could be, not just for the online college instructor but for middle and high school teachers who have their individual class links on line for parents and students to access. A teacher could offer review of math terms or fun games to help students remember concepts, etc.

Raptivity appears to be quite useful.