Future Teachers & ICT: Titan Pads

Group 4 -Other Digital Tools -Titan Pad

Titan Pads are defined by Byrne (2010) is an interactive free tool that supports users to instantly create a collaborative document. Individuals are invited to collaborate in a discussion from a shared URL. Each individual is given a colour to identify the text they have added.

http://www.titanpad.com/

Titan Pads

PMI –Analysis

Positives:

· Collaboration within a group on a set task or subject is created

· Allows for private access for uses

· A great brainstorming tool

· A time slider component to see changes as compared to opening separate documents

· A user friendly tool

· Supports teachers to gain awareness of students progress or knowledge on a subject

Negatives:

· Limited to the number of users in a public domain

· Does not work with Apples iPods or iphones

· Deletion of public pads is less than 20 revisions

Interesting

· there are no limits on the amount of users which can be created in a private domain.

Theoretical Frameworks:

Titan Pads can support the learning environment through the application of theoretical frameworks such as Inquiry Based learning, Cooperative and Collaborative Learning and Constructivism. These learning theories can assist students to create their own understanding by reflecting and primarily asking questions exploring and reassessing what they know. Thirteen Ed on line education (2004) acknowledge that these learning theories still perceive that the role of the teacher is important to guide processes with the provision of content knowledge. Well-designed inquiry-learning activities and interactions should be set in a conceptual context so as to help students accumulate knowledge as they progress in their thinking. Inquiry in education should be about increased understanding of the world in which they live, learn, communicate, and work together. (Thirteen Ed on line education, 2004)
At the completion of the collaborative session, titan pads can be revisited, thus enabling students the opportunity to revisit and reflect on discussions. Another important feature of this tool is that the titan pad dashboard illustrates when individuals are unsure of a concept, enabling targeted assistance. This provides a focus for teachers to identify and assist students rather than constantly writing up lessons and examples on the whiteboard.
https://studentclassroom.titanpad.com/ep/account/sign-in?uid=47686&tp=TansK4unB0

Safe, Legal and Ethical Practice

The titan pad has two domains; public / private pads. The titan pad Help identifies that users must be aware that the only way to keep these public pads private is to safeguard the URL. On a public pad, private information should not be shared outside the classroom. Upon entering a pad that has been shared, users will be asked for a name. Students should not provide their full names or enter any personal or other revealing information on a pad (this includes the text they type). This should be part of any proper digital citizenship program, as others outside your group could view the pad if they accessed the submitted address.
The second type of pad is for those wanting a little more security. In this area the authors of titan pad claim that team members will have a little more security by using some limited password protection. Regardless of this protection, proper digital citizenship including adherence to privacy should be followed.

Pads in private sub domains are by default only accessible by users who have an account in the sub domain.

Referenced by http://titanpad.com/ep/pro-help/#limitations