Type with me

Type with me is very similar to Google Docs.  There are a couple of differences.  One difference is that everyone has there own color and no one else can change or delete the others' work.  I can see this being beneficial in a classroom.  As the teacher I can see what each student has contributed to the document.  Although I find it difficult to read through sometimes with all the colors, and students with ADHD or ADD might have a very difficult time with this application for the same reason.  They might have a hard time focusing.  Another difference is that it doesn't automatically save the work like Google Docs does.  If you loose a connection with the application or it synchronizes while your using it, it doesn't save it.  While using it our group had to keep retyping the same information at least 10-15 times, because it was synchronizing while we were using it.  I can see students just giving up and leaving it as it is, especially since we as adults were at that point.  I'm still working on all of this weeks work, so nothing else to add.

How does technology effect my life?

Before you ask how does technology affect your life you have to define what technology is.  Technology is the tools we use - computers, software programs, iPods, Smartboards, and the internet to name a few.  When I think of technology I think of electronics, apps and software, and their accessories.  We use technology every day and there is so much to choose from these days.  

As a technology continues to advance and more becomes available we need select and use the tools best suited to the person and the situation.  I don't believe that just because it's new or free always makes it better than we sometimes already have.  Take Windows Vista for example.  Have you ever heard anybody say anything good about it - even when it was new?  This week I found some tools better than others. 

I was really excited about the different graphic sites at first until I looked closer to the home page.  On some of the sites I saw content that would not be appropriate for school.  It disappointed me because I really thought they could become good sites to use for language arts and social studies.  I talked to our school librarian who is going to take the list of sites and see if she can find similar sites that have more suitable graphics for the students.  I was really disappointed in the Face in Hole graphics and MagMyPic content.

I liked the TypeWithMe site.  It has some similarities to google docs.  It's easy to use and everyone can type directly into the document.  I like that you can tell who typed what with the different colors.  My only question is can students delete someone else's work?  I didn't try it so I'm not sure.  Or can you sign in as another person?