Thing 10

What is the value of Twitter?
While I don't think Twitter appeals to me as much as some other social networks such as Facebook or Ning, I can see how it would appeal to many users, especially those looking for real time status information. I can also imagine it to be very useful for people following or communicating with one another over great distances who want the ability to "check in" on each other's lives and day to day or moment to moment activities. As far as the usefulness in the field of education, I can see a "thing" like this breaking down walls or barriers. No longer does there need to be a delay with receiving information. Questions could be posed and answers found nearly instantaneous. Following blogs of interest or to accumulate information could be entertaining or helpful depending on your purpose. Monitoring and security would be two very important things to address.

Select one of the sites that you explored from The Best of the Web 2008 or Time's 50 Best Websites of 2009. What did you like or dislike about the tool? What were the site’s useful features? Could you see any educational applications for it?

Lulu was fantastic! The idea of being able to write, publish your work, and even sell it using the tools Lulu has to offer is amazing. The possibilities are endless! I have had several students who have wished to become published authors. We have found ways "in house" to help them accomplish their goals, but with Lulu the opportunities and choices are so much greater and frankly, more attractive! I'm looking forward to experimenting with Lulu more in the future.