New Wiki Established - Wikis and Web 2.0 

Visit Wikis and Web 2.0 at the following web link: http://wikisandweb2-0.wikispaces.com/

Review of Wikispaces' Discussion Post:

The 6C’s for 21st Century Competency 

 The author is honest to begin her post by reflecting on one of the most important lessons she learned about business. “The difference between your industry and mine,” he said, is that “in my industry, we have to change before we need to, while, in your industry, you won’t change even when it’s clear that you must” (Barnes, 2008). This philosophical approach has governed her discussions ever since.

Her [the author] main points of concern are those which affect the world’s education systems in the twenty-first century. Some of which are the many technological advances achieved and those anticipated to come in due time. One concern is she stresses the need to segment educational learning models in the same fashion a marketer would segment their market – different strokes for different folks. To further illustrate this, she [the author] suggests segmenting the learning models by student’s abilities and not by happenstance circumstances such as place of birth, color, economic disadvantages, or the like. She further explains the use of twenty-first-century technology to reach this end.

 Lastly, she [the author] stresses the adoption of the so-called 6Cs for 21st Century Competency. These six areas of competency are as follows: 1) Connect 2) Create 3) Collaborate 4) Communicate 5) Compute and 6) Think Critically.

Reference: 

Barnes, C. D. (2008, January 29). The 6C’s for 21st Century Competency. Retrieved on November 7, 2016 from http://shifthappens.wikispaces.com/The+6C%27s+for+21st+Centu ry+Competency

Review of Wikispaces' Discussion Post:

How is good, but let's not forget the why! 

The main idea behind this discussion post is that teachers at all levels of education must adapt to the technological advancements second nature to almost all students – they are growing, and some grew up with it. The author coins this lapse of technological knowledge ‘21st-century techno-culture’ and rightfully so. As students learn from teachers, teachers must have an open and yet willing mind to accept student’s ideas and learn from them. Teachers must also learn - in depth – most, if not all the technology students harness to learn – be it by the Internet, Smart Phone, Pod Cast, or others.

Reference:

Mannotw. (2007, September 26). How is good, but let's not forget the why!. Retrieved on November 7, 2016 from http://shifthappens.wikispaces.com/How+is+good%2C+but+let%2 7s+not+forget+the+why%21

Review of Wikispaces' Discussion Post:

A New Economy? 

The author brings to light the so-called ‘New World Order’ with emphasis placed on economic change, shifts, and repercussions that will and is occurring around the world. The author starts the group by asking three critical fundamental questions central to the ‘New Economy.’ These issues are as they pertain to the coming so-called ‘New Economy’: (1) What are some alternatives? (2) How can technology facilitate the world? And (3) What resources should be used?

The members of this discussion group (Wiki) answer these questions from many different points of view. All of which will enlighten all but more importantly, stimulate one’s mind into the finer attributes of the fast-approaching ‘New Economy’ that will significantly influence the ‘New World Order.’ Another group member suggests an excellent book that was written in 1978 by authors Hiltz and Turoff. The book is titled: "The Network Nation" and is concerned with how the use of advanced computer systems and the like will significantly influence our world as a whole. As for myself, I may - in time – locate a copy of this text for reading.

Another group member anticipates a centralized global learning system by which all nation’s education systems are combined and act as one. Moreover, other members address the future of business and how these firms are affected by these advancements in technologies.

Reference: 

Bouchec1. (2008, October 24). A new economy. Retrieved November 7, 2016 from  https://shifthappens.wikispaces.com/share/view/6415081

Web 2.0 Tool In Review

 Del.icio.us

Delicious (del.icio.us) is a social bookmarking service used for the storage, sharing, and discovery of web bookmarks. It is quite simple to use with a very basic User Interface. This User Interface provided for simple navigation and easy to understand directions for using the tools of the site correctly.

The benefits of using Delicious are first and foremost; it’s free, easy to use, and ultra-quick. Delicious benefits also provide a means of building relationships as well as echoing word-of-mouth. Another key benefit of utilizing the Delicious site is indexing. The links added to one’s Delicious account aid search engines in the indexing and ranking process. The downside is fierce competition and Spam.

I strongly recommend the Delicious Social Bookmarking site for all needs relating to storage of web links in a library format. A free account to the Delicious website can be established by visiting the following link: https://del.icio.us/.

Web 2.0 Tool In Review

Flickr
Flickr is a photo sharing (web-enabled database) owned and operated by Yahoo. The website was created with the sole intent of uploading and storing digital images. My experience with Flickr is rather limited. Be that as it may, I found little difficulty navigating around the site nor did I have any trouble uploading or tagging any digital images. I would attribute to ease of use to Flickr’s simplicity of design that makes the site extremely user-friendly. Moreover, I can also add that the User Interface is the basics of website design that makes navigating around the site a breeze. I highly recommend the Flickr site for the storage of digital images. A free account to the Flickr website can be established by visiting the following link: https://www.flickr.com/.

SOFTWARE IN REVIEW

Apache Open Office

Like most people, I too have experience with Microsoft Word, but unlike most others, I also have experience with the other programs that make up the Microsoft Office Suite. Recently, I came to learn of the availability of a generic form of Word. It is called Apache Open Office and is a free Opened Source software program. The latest version (4.1.3.) of Open Office was officially released on October 12, 2016. There are four major improvements with this version. These improvements are:

·        BZ 125980 Set default currency to Euro in Lithuanian locale

·        Updated dictionaries.

·        Enhancements to the build tools

·        Security Fixes

Apache’s Open Office consists of four fundamental attributes that hold roots in its debate version. These four fundamental attributes make it a world competitor with Microsoft’s Office Suite and are as follows:

“Apache OpenOffice is synonymous with quality:

•    The roots of Apache OpenOffice go back twenty years, creating a mature and powerful product

•    Many millions of users

•    Independent reviewers around the world have recommended the product

•    With a fully open development process, Apache OpenOffice has nothing to hide - the product stands or falls on its reputation

Apache OpenOffice is easy to use:

•    The software looks and feels familiar and is instantly usable by anyone who has used a competitive product

•    It's easy to change to Apache OpenOffice - the software reads all major competitors' files

•    Few language barriers - if it's not yet available in your language, the chances are it will be soon

•    Apache OpenOffice is supported by a global community of friendly volunteers, happy to provide assistance to newcomers and advanced users alike

Apache OpenOffice is free software:

•    You may download Apache OpenOffice completely free of any license fees

•    Install it on as many PCs as you like

•    Use it for any purpose - private, educational, government and public administration, commercial.

•    Pass on copies free of charge to family, friends, students, employees, etc.

Apache OpenOffice is standards compliant:

•    The first software package in the world to use OASIS OpenDocument Format (ISO/IEC 26300) as its native file format” (Apache OpenOffice, n.d.).

To download this – highly recommended - Opened Source software to your computer, ‘Copy and Paste’ the following link into your browser and then follow the clear instructions: http://www.openoffice.org/.

Reference:

Apache OpenOffice. (n.d.). Why apache openoffice?. Retrieved from html

http://www.openoffice.org/product/index.