http://www.instructure.com/higher-education
A learning management system (LMS) is a software application that can be used to document, track, report and deliver educational courses, training programs, and webinars. A LMS is web-based allowing for portable access to information quickly and easily. LMSs provide online learning, assessment, and management of courses. Users are also able to particpate in collaborative learning by sharing applications and responding to discussion threads. Canvas by Instructure is a LMS that offers the user, both instructor and learner, a variety of options to assist with enhancing the online learning experience. Canvas offers flexible pedagogy that supports a variety of learning styles as well as a speed grading option that can even be accessed with an iPad. Canvas can link to social media sites, SMS text messaging, and other communication channels so that the user can be notified postings etc.
http://pinterest.com/
Much like David Cavallo (2012) stated, technology can be used to improve the learning environment, not by making it everybody does the same thing at the same time, but really making it such that every person is an individual, building on what that person knows and loves and is interested in, using technology as an expressive, constructive medium, such that they can express and make things that are important to them, but really help explore particular area. Pinterest is generally related to the younger generation that use it to share photos and videos with their peers, but it is beginning to receive attention for the role it is taking on in the classroom. Pinterest uses pinboards which are ideal for group collaboration necessary for completing a project. Group members can pin photos, videos, and other resources to the group's board so that all members have access without having to meet at a specified time or place. Additionally, Pinterest has lesson plans that can be accessed by teachers and incorporated with ease into the existing curriculum. As teachers discover the power of using Pinterest as a teaching tool, there is an increase in the site being used for homework and classroom assignments (Walsh, 2013).
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012e). Using digital media for learning. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Walsh, K. (2013). Three ways pinterest is getting used by teachers. Retrieved from http://www.emergingedtech.com/.
Hi Jane - I love the creativity that an application like pinterest can open up for an ESL classroom. I can see a group "pinning' all of the places they have traveled and writing comments about those places in their native and second language. Cool.
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