This week we learned about digital storytelling in which images, audio, and videos are used to display a story or reveal something to its audience. It can be used in a multitude of ways from personal enjoyment to professional projects. Digital storytelling is very similar to how we have told stories for all of mankind, but now using the digital technologies that we have discovered. We also read an article about we use these digital tools to make images look imperfect or older as cameras did prior to the turn of the century in order for them to tell a story or make a point. The way digital technologies have evolved allows us to convey stories in an endless amount of ways.
I do not see digital storytelling as a very prominent tool in my field of education. Possibly for Power Point Presentations, but I do not plan to have those often. I would use this kind of technology for personal use more so than for in my classroom to educate my students. One way it would be very beneficial is for student projects in which they utilize this tool. There could be use to it for educators, but I do not plan on using it often in my classroom.
Digital Storytelling - We Didn't Start the Fire
This is a video that coincides with the lyrics from Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire". I did not realize that his lyrics went in chronological order and told a story of America's past like it does. It was really interesting to watch the video with the images and it shows what digital storytelling should look like.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Week 14 - Virtual Schooling
This week we watched two YouTube videos that describe online schooling in primary, secondary, and post-secondary education. Topics were discussed about the benefits of virtual schools and the critiques about them. Some of the benefits include working at one's own pace, accessibility, more independence, more free time, and a closer relationship with the instructor. This type of schooling has turned out to be very successful and useful in many cases where students are not working well with regular schools or are not able to attend them. Gaming is another tool for virtual education in which students can learn and engulf themselves in, but it would be beneficial. I would not substitute this for full time education, but for a supplement or during the summer it would help students to become familiarized with online education and enjoy it.
Virtual schooling applies to my field because it could be my field one day with teaching online to my students or even having a few who take classes online in addition to being in school. I do not plan on teaching a class online any time, but it might happen someday with the way technology is exponentially growing. It is good to be at least familiar with this type of education so that in the future I can be equipped to help students or adjust to that type of teaching if I needed to. Online education could even be a possibility for me if I decide I would like to further my education.
This map shows what kind of online education is available in the United States and it surprises me some of the states who do have access to this type of education and the ones who do not. New York, for example, has neither, yet Hawaii has both. It shows that virtual school still has a way to go in entering our school systems throughout the United States, but it is pretty widespread to say the least.
Virtual schooling applies to my field because it could be my field one day with teaching online to my students or even having a few who take classes online in addition to being in school. I do not plan on teaching a class online any time, but it might happen someday with the way technology is exponentially growing. It is good to be at least familiar with this type of education so that in the future I can be equipped to help students or adjust to that type of teaching if I needed to. Online education could even be a possibility for me if I decide I would like to further my education.
Week 15 - Gaming
During this week, we learned the usefulness of gaming in teaching and learning. We learned about different games online, such as Second Life and Mii. These games bring us, most of the time, to virtual worlds, but have an underlying mission, for people to interact and learn. Although, not all sites are secret about their purpose of teaching. Many sites offer that as an incentive for teachers and parents to agree with the site for their students or children to use. Either way, these sites enable students to learn about core subjects and about technology.
I hope to use games in my classroom for educational purposes. I know many teachers who use educational games during reading and math for a center can choose to go to or must go to. Students love it, but they are only participating in learning material. Especially if there are free periods or breaks within the class, gaming for the students would come in handy. It is a great way for students to learn, use technology, and have fun all at that same way and I plan on utilizing that as much as possible in my classroom.
This was a technology I was not even thinking of that is being incorporated into classrooms, but it still proves to be beneficial. I have observed computers in the classroom, but there are usually only a few in which students must take turns, but this would eliminate that hassle and would be easily accessible and portable. This should encourage United States schools to approach this type of technology and utilize it if possible.
I hope to use games in my classroom for educational purposes. I know many teachers who use educational games during reading and math for a center can choose to go to or must go to. Students love it, but they are only participating in learning material. Especially if there are free periods or breaks within the class, gaming for the students would come in handy. It is a great way for students to learn, use technology, and have fun all at that same way and I plan on utilizing that as much as possible in my classroom.
This was a technology I was not even thinking of that is being incorporated into classrooms, but it still proves to be beneficial. I have observed computers in the classroom, but there are usually only a few in which students must take turns, but this would eliminate that hassle and would be easily accessible and portable. This should encourage United States schools to approach this type of technology and utilize it if possible.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Extra Blog Post #3 - Podcasting
EME 2040 - Podcast
Above is the link to my podcast, which is an example of how I would use podcasting in my field. By giving parents an introduction before orientation or meeting them by other means, it will prepare parents for what kind of classroom their students will be in, what the teacher is like, and make them feel welcome. Although not every parent will be able to listen to an introductory podcast, it is definitely a way to reach out to the parents and let them know that the instructor is ready for any questions, concerns, or requests. Podcasting could be used for a multitude of other purposes, including lectures for students who are absent, recall of information for students, and resources for other teachers.
Above is the link to my podcast, which is an example of how I would use podcasting in my field. By giving parents an introduction before orientation or meeting them by other means, it will prepare parents for what kind of classroom their students will be in, what the teacher is like, and make them feel welcome. Although not every parent will be able to listen to an introductory podcast, it is definitely a way to reach out to the parents and let them know that the instructor is ready for any questions, concerns, or requests. Podcasting could be used for a multitude of other purposes, including lectures for students who are absent, recall of information for students, and resources for other teachers.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Week 12 - Cloud Computing
This week the topic was cloud computing, which is sharing information by a computer network. You are able to use tools that usually must be downloaded or tied to one computer but otherwise are online or everyone to share, use, and change. One of the most common way people use cloud computing is through Google Documents. It is remarkable to me how multiple people can change a document or a piece of information at the same time, it is a representation of our vastly technologically progressive world. Another resourceful tool we learned about was social bookmarking that allows people to share links with people and label them to make it easy for people to find something specifically pertaining to what they are looking for. As well, it is simpler for you to find much later when you have accumulated many different sites and articles and other resources.
As a teacher, cloud computing would be something that is used on a day-to-day basis to find resources and share documents. I think this would be something that I would use most because I would be searching for information and resources to use in my classroom. It would be great to share documents with teachers around the world and get their inputs in lesson plans and other information that I will relay to my class. This kind of technology allows my classroom to be a more diverse and thought-provoking.
The video above shows the usefulness of cloud computing and how more beneficial it is than using servers. You do not need any hardware other than on your own computer. It is easier to use and much cheaper. As many people as wanted can visit the site and use it and it will never get clogged. I love the way the man in the video explains how it works and I hope more people take advantage of this tool.
As a teacher, cloud computing would be something that is used on a day-to-day basis to find resources and share documents. I think this would be something that I would use most because I would be searching for information and resources to use in my classroom. It would be great to share documents with teachers around the world and get their inputs in lesson plans and other information that I will relay to my class. This kind of technology allows my classroom to be a more diverse and thought-provoking.
The video above shows the usefulness of cloud computing and how more beneficial it is than using servers. You do not need any hardware other than on your own computer. It is easier to use and much cheaper. As many people as wanted can visit the site and use it and it will never get clogged. I love the way the man in the video explains how it works and I hope more people take advantage of this tool.
Week 11 - Open Source Software
Open Source Software is free software that is open for anyone to download and we explored these this week. I have personally used Open Office before and it is almost simultaneous to Microsoft Word except free. It is very useful, especially for people who use Macintosh computers. Sourceforge also is very helpful in finding software that I would need as a college student and even in the future as a teacher that can aid me in my field, while being convenient and free.
Open Source Software definitely can be beneficial in my field because many times teachers are limited on resources and finances. The kind of software that is offered online can fulfill what I would be missing in my classroom. Sourceforge is a website that I would take advantage of because it is a database of Open Source Software and Programs. Anything from instant messengers to anti-virus software to word processors are available on the website and would all benefit me in communication, safety, and creating documents. Even prior to entering my field of teaching, Open Source Software would all help me as a college student. The fact that the software is free and open to everyone is what makes it worth using.
This picture depicts exactly what I think sometimes. Although Open Source Software is very useful, it is also kind of nerving that other people have access to these same programs and they can create them. This could cause many harms to your computer, even if unintentionally they do. Just like the fish says, it gives me the creeps.
Open Source Software definitely can be beneficial in my field because many times teachers are limited on resources and finances. The kind of software that is offered online can fulfill what I would be missing in my classroom. Sourceforge is a website that I would take advantage of because it is a database of Open Source Software and Programs. Anything from instant messengers to anti-virus software to word processors are available on the website and would all benefit me in communication, safety, and creating documents. Even prior to entering my field of teaching, Open Source Software would all help me as a college student. The fact that the software is free and open to everyone is what makes it worth using.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Week 9 - Podcasting
This week I learned about podcasting and different uses for them, especially in education. The articles that I read about podcasting explained what podcasting was, how to retrieve a podcast, and how to create your own. Also, the articles went in depth about the benefits of podcasting, primarily in the classroom, and the issues that arise around podcasting. One article by MacWorld described how to make your own video podcast, also known as a vodcast. It was all very informative and prepared me to make my own podcast which is an activity that I must do for this class, but I will probably use in the future.
Being a teacher, I could see where this could be beneficial. Having extra aid for homework, providing material for students who were absent, and assigning projects that where students have to create their own podcasts are all advantages of podcasts. Although personally I would want more physical, interactive learning with my students, not just listening or new technology to teach the students. For me, the internet can be a distraction at times, and teaching young students the internet could definitely be a distraction. I just believe students learn best with hands-on activities and even interactive videos or activities online. I think podcasts could be beneficial in my classroom, but for limited purposes.
This is what it seems that are classrooms are coming to because of iTunes being such an influence on young people. It is starting to flood over into the classroom and sometimes that is really helpful, but in this depiction it is making fun of it. As the teacher is trying to teach her students, the students are engulfed in the new technologies of this age.
Being a teacher, I could see where this could be beneficial. Having extra aid for homework, providing material for students who were absent, and assigning projects that where students have to create their own podcasts are all advantages of podcasts. Although personally I would want more physical, interactive learning with my students, not just listening or new technology to teach the students. For me, the internet can be a distraction at times, and teaching young students the internet could definitely be a distraction. I just believe students learn best with hands-on activities and even interactive videos or activities online. I think podcasts could be beneficial in my classroom, but for limited purposes.
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