“From Toy to Tool”
By Liz Kolb
Cell phones in the classroom are typically problematic because they can interrupt class and distract students. However, this article provides information on how cell phones can be positively used as learning tools. The article is an interesting read and describes audioblogging with cell phones. Basically, students and teachers can create an account with a website like Gabcast.com, which will allow them to record conversations on their cell phones and automatically post them on their blog. An example of how this application could be used is provided in the article. Teachers could ask students to interview someone outside of class and have the students record and post the interviews using only their cell phones. This technology could help reduce the need of expensive resources such as microphones, tape recorders, or digital recorders. Students could then edit their audioblogs by adding text or pictures. Concerns with audioblogging include privacy issues, copyright issues, and cost issues. Nevertheless, audioblogging is a free resource with great potential for the classroom. Furthermore, it connects technologies students use daily to meaningful classroom learning.
1)How could I use the technology in my classroom?
As a future math teacher, I doubt that I would have my students interview someone outside of class. However, I could use audioblogs to post specific segments of my lectures. This would allow students who were sick to hear the lecture they were missing on the same day. This same idea could also allow students to get additional help at home because they could review parts of the classroom lecture while doing homework.
2)How will cell phone audioblogs impact schools?
I am not sure how significant of an impact audioblogs from cell phones will have in school. I do think the technology is interesting and could potentially have many uses in the classroom. In my opinion, the technology mentioned in this article is a good idea that could become a great idea with time and tweaking.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Journal 3
“Video in the Age of Participation”
By Glenn Bull
The explosion of YouTube in the past year is an example of digital videos growing impact on the technological world. The possibilities for digital video continue to increase as a result of increased bandwidth and compression standards that make it possible to stream video on demand over the Net. Movies and videos have been used by teachers in classrooms for many years; however, new digital video technology allows teachers to quickly locate clips and makes it easier for them to integrate the short video segments into the lesson plan. There are a number of sources for free classroom oriented video clips such as the Discovery Education website which offers video resources in a format that provides connections to explicit curriculum objectives. Some sites even allow teachers and students to edit and remix videos into a format that is more conducive to classroom learning. Digital video resources may also help schools save money on resources such as educational video tapes because the teachers can use free sources from the web.
1) How can I use this technology in my classroom?
I have a math professor at Saddleback College who is create digital video tutorials to add to his class website. As a future math teacher, I would love to integrate similar tutorials into my classroom. I think it would be advantageous for students to be able to view math problems being solved and explained at home while they are doing their homework.
2) How will this technology affect general school learning?
Although I believe textbooks will continue to be the primary source in schools, I think there is definitely a growing place for digital videos in classrooms. Digital video will allow many teachers to seamlessly integrate videos into lessons without wasting time to setup a VCR and tape. Moreover, short digital video segments will allow teachers to provide quick examples without wasting an entire class period showing VCR tapes.
By Glenn Bull
The explosion of YouTube in the past year is an example of digital videos growing impact on the technological world. The possibilities for digital video continue to increase as a result of increased bandwidth and compression standards that make it possible to stream video on demand over the Net. Movies and videos have been used by teachers in classrooms for many years; however, new digital video technology allows teachers to quickly locate clips and makes it easier for them to integrate the short video segments into the lesson plan. There are a number of sources for free classroom oriented video clips such as the Discovery Education website which offers video resources in a format that provides connections to explicit curriculum objectives. Some sites even allow teachers and students to edit and remix videos into a format that is more conducive to classroom learning. Digital video resources may also help schools save money on resources such as educational video tapes because the teachers can use free sources from the web.
1) How can I use this technology in my classroom?
I have a math professor at Saddleback College who is create digital video tutorials to add to his class website. As a future math teacher, I would love to integrate similar tutorials into my classroom. I think it would be advantageous for students to be able to view math problems being solved and explained at home while they are doing their homework.
2) How will this technology affect general school learning?
Although I believe textbooks will continue to be the primary source in schools, I think there is definitely a growing place for digital videos in classrooms. Digital video will allow many teachers to seamlessly integrate videos into lessons without wasting time to setup a VCR and tape. Moreover, short digital video segments will allow teachers to provide quick examples without wasting an entire class period showing VCR tapes.
Journal 2
“Breathing Fire into Web 2.0”
by Justin Hardman & David Carpenter
This article, written by Justin Hardman and David Carpenter, suggests how schools may adapt and become up-to-date with the “Web 2.0 World.” Specifically, this article describes the building of virtual learning communities by citing The Hong Kong International School’s online community, myDragonNet. The idea for myDragonNet and similar technologies resulted from teacher needs to enhance communication and collaboration, provide curriculum mapping and resources, and to create online portfolios for assessing student performance. Programs like myDragonNet are a one stop shop for students to find information on classes, sports, clubs, and events. They also provide students with a calendar, email, forums for discussions, and access to other resources and documents. Teachers enjoy benefits from virtual communities such as myDragonNet. Classroom management systems and the curriculum are completely integrated, helping increase efficiency in planning and organizing. Teachers also find increased communication with programs like myDragonNet because they are only a mouse click away from communicating with a student, parent, or administrator. Social networking online is an increasing part of the lives of many and it only makes sense that schools would exploit the power of interacting online.
1) As a student, what is my opinion of virtual learning communities?
My experience with virtual learning communities has been positive. It is assuring to know that I can find all the information for my classes on one website. I also like being able to submit papers online since it’s always nice to save a tree. Moreover, online forums allow everyone a voice and it’s always nice to have direct contact with your peers and teachers outside of school.
2) How could I see myself using this technology in my classroom?
I would love to have access to this type of technology when I teach. I think the increased communication and one stop shop for class/school information could be extremely beneficial. I really like the idea of including information on school events, clubs, and sports as a way to build school pride. My only concern with incorporating a virtual community would be the equality of student access.
by Justin Hardman & David Carpenter
This article, written by Justin Hardman and David Carpenter, suggests how schools may adapt and become up-to-date with the “Web 2.0 World.” Specifically, this article describes the building of virtual learning communities by citing The Hong Kong International School’s online community, myDragonNet. The idea for myDragonNet and similar technologies resulted from teacher needs to enhance communication and collaboration, provide curriculum mapping and resources, and to create online portfolios for assessing student performance. Programs like myDragonNet are a one stop shop for students to find information on classes, sports, clubs, and events. They also provide students with a calendar, email, forums for discussions, and access to other resources and documents. Teachers enjoy benefits from virtual communities such as myDragonNet. Classroom management systems and the curriculum are completely integrated, helping increase efficiency in planning and organizing. Teachers also find increased communication with programs like myDragonNet because they are only a mouse click away from communicating with a student, parent, or administrator. Social networking online is an increasing part of the lives of many and it only makes sense that schools would exploit the power of interacting online.
1) As a student, what is my opinion of virtual learning communities?
My experience with virtual learning communities has been positive. It is assuring to know that I can find all the information for my classes on one website. I also like being able to submit papers online since it’s always nice to save a tree. Moreover, online forums allow everyone a voice and it’s always nice to have direct contact with your peers and teachers outside of school.
2) How could I see myself using this technology in my classroom?
I would love to have access to this type of technology when I teach. I think the increased communication and one stop shop for class/school information could be extremely beneficial. I really like the idea of including information on school events, clubs, and sports as a way to build school pride. My only concern with incorporating a virtual community would be the equality of student access.
Journal 1
"Professors adjust their methods to reach technology-savvy generation"
by Eleanor Yang su
In this article, Su describes how classrooms are changing with the integration and increased use of technology. From a teacher’s perspective, the change has been both positive and negative. The positives are that the use of multimedia tools and interactive websites and discussions has provided professors more contact with students and the ability to respond quicker to students’ questions and needs. The main frustration expressed by professors concerning technology is the competition for students’ attention. Some teachers find it difficult to engage students who may be surfing the net, emailing, chatting, or playing poker online in class. This online multitasking by students has raised questions. Are students learning more through varied technological formats? Some students feel the use of technology makes them more productive and connected and could not imagine sitting through an entire class without the ability to be online. Nevertheless, the article mentions that experts say switching attention is not advantageous and that Millennials make more mistakes and complete tasks more slowly when trying to do several things at once.
1)How can I make technology in the classroom engaging?
For technology in the classroom to be engaging, I think it has to be seamlessly integrated into the lesson. I really liked the idea of the Clickers and similar technologies mentioned in the article. Clickers and accompanying software could be used to collect data from students in a math lesson on graphs or statistics. I think students would be more engaged because the data they are analyzing is their own.
2)Will teaching at the middle school level be affected by online multitasking?
I hope not. I think students at the college level are able to get away with surfing the net while in class because they are more capable of teaching themselves the material later. I also believe that learning skills and understanding concepts is more important at a younger age and question the maturity of young students to multitask online. In my opinion, online multitasking is the only considerable drawback to increased use of computers and technology in schools.
by Eleanor Yang su
In this article, Su describes how classrooms are changing with the integration and increased use of technology. From a teacher’s perspective, the change has been both positive and negative. The positives are that the use of multimedia tools and interactive websites and discussions has provided professors more contact with students and the ability to respond quicker to students’ questions and needs. The main frustration expressed by professors concerning technology is the competition for students’ attention. Some teachers find it difficult to engage students who may be surfing the net, emailing, chatting, or playing poker online in class. This online multitasking by students has raised questions. Are students learning more through varied technological formats? Some students feel the use of technology makes them more productive and connected and could not imagine sitting through an entire class without the ability to be online. Nevertheless, the article mentions that experts say switching attention is not advantageous and that Millennials make more mistakes and complete tasks more slowly when trying to do several things at once.
1)How can I make technology in the classroom engaging?
For technology in the classroom to be engaging, I think it has to be seamlessly integrated into the lesson. I really liked the idea of the Clickers and similar technologies mentioned in the article. Clickers and accompanying software could be used to collect data from students in a math lesson on graphs or statistics. I think students would be more engaged because the data they are analyzing is their own.
2)Will teaching at the middle school level be affected by online multitasking?
I hope not. I think students at the college level are able to get away with surfing the net while in class because they are more capable of teaching themselves the material later. I also believe that learning skills and understanding concepts is more important at a younger age and question the maturity of young students to multitask online. In my opinion, online multitasking is the only considerable drawback to increased use of computers and technology in schools.
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