Exploration and Report on Educational Technology Tools

 

Exploration and Report on Educational Technology Tools

 

For this exercise, I explored three different types of educational technology tools: a bookmarking service (Feedly), an educational podcast (TeacherCast), and online tutorials on using Google tools. Each offered different perceptions on digital learning and how technology can support teachers and students.

1. Feedly: Discovering “The Clever Sheep”

I created a Feedly account. I found this to be a very intuitive platform for educators who want to keep up with education-related blogs and news. The blog focuses on 21st-century teaching, educational leadership, and digital storytelling—offering practical ideas for integrating technology creatively.

What I appreciated most was Feedly’s organization. I could group related blogs into collections and tag them for future reference. This would be an excellent tool for professional development or even as a recommendation to students conducting research.

Feedly is a time-saving tool to keep up with educational thought leaders and new ideas in education.

 2. Podcast: Listening to TeacherCast

I explored TeacherCast on Podbean. The host interviewed a teacher who uses Google Sites to help students showcase their work. They discussed the advantages of students creating personal learning portfolios for reflection and ownership of learning.

The podcast format was casual but informative. Podcasts like TeacherCast are a great way to stay updated on classroom trends while doing tasks that don’t allow for screen time. Using podcasts in class as a discussion starter or listening comprehension activity.

 3. Google Tools: Exploring Resources via Web Search

I used Google Search to explore several tutorial providers on Google Tools, especially John Sowash (Google Tools), Joelle Warsh (Docs and Sites), and Bruce Stern (Google Drive Tutorials).

 John Sowash has a blog and YouTube channel that look at Google Classroom features and Chromebook management tips.

Joelle Warsh has clear, beginner-friendly walkthroughs of creating engaging Google Sites for student projects.

Bruce Stern provided a tutorial on organizing Google Drive folders, sharing settings, and using comments for collaboration.

Many educators are producing helpful content on Google tools. These tutorials can empower teachers to move beyond basic usage


This task reminded me how vast and accessible professional development has become thanks to digital tools. Feedly keeps resources organized, podcasts like TeacherCast offer insights through real voices, and a simple search reveals a world of tutorials made by educators for educators. Using these tools not only helps teachers stay relevant but also models the kind of digital literacy we hope to instill in our students.

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