Thing #16

Web 2.0 Organization Tools

 

 

Customized start pages was the first organization tool discussed in this "thing."  I chose to create a start page using iGoogle because I already have a gmail account, so it would be easy to link my email, RSS feeds and calendar right to this start page.  It was really easy and I liked having all of the information that I am interested in right there on the start page.  I am always wanting to know the day's headlines and looking up new recipes, so it was neat to have both of those things right there on the first page.  I probably will not keep the iGoogle start page, mostly because Google is phasing it out and it will no longer be available after November of this year. 

Online Calendars are great!  My husband and I use Google calendars because it automatically syncs our schedules so we are always up to date with the other's appointments and such.  I also really like that online calendars can automatically sync to your smart phone.  I also use this tool between my Mac's iCal and the calendar on my iPhone.  It updates in one go, so I don't have to retype appointments, due dates and the like multiple times. 

To-Do lists can also be very helpful.  "Remember the Milk" is the only site of the 3 mentioned in Thing 16 that is still available for use.  The other 2 have been phased out.  This is now an app and an online program.  Personally, this app seems somewhat redundant for me.  I already have "Notes" on my iPhone, which is also quick and easy for writing to-do lists.  I am not a big "list" writer, so I don't see the need in downloading an app just for this purpose.

I think that all of these online organizational tools can be useful in the classroom.  Start pages can be placed on classroom computers for students to have quick and easy access to information they might need.  Online calendars are great for teachers and students to use to remember assignments, due dates and test dates.  To-do lists can also be helpful, especially if one wanted to keep "work" and school to-do lists separate from home lists.