Today we learned about vidcasting. We learned about the different tools to create one such as a flip phone, powerpoint, photostory and jing. (I could totally get sucked into doing this - appeals to me in every way.)
I can see the value of a vidcast, especially with the direction technology is going. Students are accustomed to watching vidcasts so using one in class would be a valuable addition, as I have rarely seen them utilized in the schools I've subbed in. You would have to have the technology to show one though (computer hooked up to a projector). I can't imagine 30 kids crowded around a laptop screen - but I guess you could. These do seem to take quite a bit of time to create, but if teachers were collaborating and each creating one they could be shared.
In all these things we have been creating (google docs, podcasts, vidcasts, etc) I feel so strongly that students could easily create these and probably do a better job than some teachers. I would love to teach students how to create one - but it may not be feasible based on resources, time, etc. For students who are absent, the vidcast could catch them up on things they missed - especially if you were filming yourself and holding up the worksheet, book, art project, etc. Whether or not they had access to it - they could at least know what they missed.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sarah Sumsion Reflection Week 3
Today we learned how to make and link podcasts. Our podcast was a public service announcement about bullying.
For a teacher today I can see this being a valuable tool. I have never made a podcast before and assumed they were only videos. Knowing you can quickly make a podcast using cell phone technology is really incredible. Teachers could collaborate using podcasts - even when they are out of town. Technology is truly amazing. I haven't quite figured out how I can use this with my other classes, other than in using a presentation of some sort.
This technology could be very useful in a classroom for many different curriculum areas. I can see students loving this. Even young students could have fun creating podcasts. Creating a podcast could be useful in doing a presentation, or giving steps for a project or activity. Students who miss school due to sickness or vacation could still get the homework and instructions. Important lectures or teaching also could be saved through podcasting. Students could do brief interviews with family, teachers, important people, or each other and use podcast technology to share their findings.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sarah Sumsion's Reflection #2 Edel 3250 Sec 2
I had a lot of fun in class today. Yes, we had to fly to get through it all, but thank heavens I had a fantastic Computer Technology in Education class this summer (Pam Turley instructor) who prepared me well to understand most of what is going on in class. I had the basic skill set to get through class just fine today.
Putting together the classroom website is so similar to what we did with the UEN website that I'm going to have to play more to decide which site I prefer. They can do exactly the same things and I've become very familiar with myuen.org so I will have a learning curve to do the same assignments using a different tool. I can see the value in having classroom websites. Several of my children's teachers use google sites but the problem I have is remembering where to find the site and remembering to check it. There are so many tools to make each page on the google site useful. This is appealing.
I like the idea of students being able to post their work to the website, or being able to share their knowledge on a page of the website. Perhaps we allow students to be in charge of a specific page and let them utilize the technology. Especially with older students, they are so knowledgeable about technology and they would probably love being webmaster that week (versus door holder, line leader, etc.) Even something as simple as posting the spelling lists could be done by a class webmaster. As more and more people turn to google tools, I can see the calendars, homework items, announcements and contact info being easy to navigate, implement and become very helpful for parents and other teachers. I hope more teachers get on board using this technology.
Putting together the classroom website is so similar to what we did with the UEN website that I'm going to have to play more to decide which site I prefer. They can do exactly the same things and I've become very familiar with myuen.org so I will have a learning curve to do the same assignments using a different tool. I can see the value in having classroom websites. Several of my children's teachers use google sites but the problem I have is remembering where to find the site and remembering to check it. There are so many tools to make each page on the google site useful. This is appealing.
I like the idea of students being able to post their work to the website, or being able to share their knowledge on a page of the website. Perhaps we allow students to be in charge of a specific page and let them utilize the technology. Especially with older students, they are so knowledgeable about technology and they would probably love being webmaster that week (versus door holder, line leader, etc.) Even something as simple as posting the spelling lists could be done by a class webmaster. As more and more people turn to google tools, I can see the calendars, homework items, announcements and contact info being easy to navigate, implement and become very helpful for parents and other teachers. I hope more teachers get on board using this technology.
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