Chapter 7: Communicating With Technologies

      Podcasting seems like a great way to get information out to many people at one time. I really like the part where a new podcast is automatically downloaded to your computer or iPod when it becomes available. I think it could be a great tool in certain classrooms but not in others. For example, using podcasting for lectures and other types of notes in a history or science classroom would work great. The students would not have to copy down everything the teacher says and the teacher would not have to make a ton of copies to hand out. The students would have their copies digitally. I am not saying that teachers should not give these lectures or lecture about the notes. I am simply saying that students would be able to have their own copies that they can access anytime. As for a math class, I can’t see podcasting working very well. You might be able to put some examples out there or give homework assignments that way, but I don’t think it would be worth the time it takes to create it.

     I think podcasting is very similar to the other Web 2.0 technologies we have discussed. It allows students and teachers to be connected outside the everyday classroom. If the teacher has some extra information about a topic, he/she can create the podcast for the students. Blogs are very similar. While they can’t be downloaded to some type of device, they are accessible to students all the time. Again, if the teacher has something to add, he/she can blog about it. Podcasting is a little different than a wiki in the fact that it is not collaborative. A podcast is created by one person. While everyone can be active in the actual podcast, only one person can actually piece it together and send it out to everyone. VoiceThread is similar in the fact that they are both using video and audio to show someone something. However, with a podcast, other people can’t leave comments on it or interact with it. There are a few differences between all the different technologies, but for the most part, they all serve the same general purpose.

     I actually own a couple MP3 players, an iPod, and an Android smart phone. However, only my iPod and my phone are capable of dealing with something such as a podcast. I use both of these for all kinds of things. I use them for checking my email, facebook, listening to music and many other things. They are very useful when I don’t feel like lugging my laptop around or pulling it out just to check one thing or listen to one song. I am not sure that I could use either of these tools in my classroom. I am sure there is a way, however, I can’t think of one. I would love to find a way if I could. I think the advantages of online communication tools far outweigh the disadvantages. There are so many different ways to use them that help students learn better than just sitting in a classroom. If it keeps them engaged, entertained, and authentically learning, then I am all for it. Online communication tools can be a great way to help our students. 

Lefever, L. (Producer), (2007). Podcasting in Plain English. Available from http://commoncraft.com

Chapter 6: Community Building with Technology

                I have often times heard my teachers or peers talk about wikis. However, until now, I was very confused as to what they actually were. I knew about Wikipedia, but I did not realize it had a connection with wikis (even though the first part of the name is Wiki). I had an English professor that used a website to upload all of our assignments and lecture notes. I am just now recognizing that he was using a wiki. From reading the lecture notes about Web 2.0, I have come to realize what a wiki actually is, and I must say, I am intrigued by it. Watching the video, Wiki in Plain English, the concept of a wiki was solidified for me. I think a wiki is an awesome tool. While I don’t see it being a great tool for a math class, it can be an awesome tool for classes such as History or English. In the book, an example called the Holocaust Wiki Project was described. This example is a great way to use a wiki. It really got the students involved and actually learning the material. I think it would be difficult to incorporate a wiki or a blog into my classroom. One way that a wiki might be used in math is for the students to be able to develop their own study outlines of what they need to know. Each student can add whatever he or she thinks is necessary to know for a test. A blog could be used to discuss theorems or formulas. Students could post homework problems they are having issues with on either the blog or the wiki and allow other students to provide their input on how it can be solved. While these are possible ways to use a blog or wiki in my classroom, I am not sure whether I want to. It could turn out great and work really well, or it could be a total disaster. It would just depend on how much risk I am willing to take to incorporate this technology.

                When I first saw the term, social bookmarking, I thought it was going to be some really complicated thing with the Internet. However, after watching Lee Lefever’s video, Social Bookmarking in Plain English, I found that it was a much simpler task than I originally thought. I think it is a great tool for teachers and students alike. As he pointed out, websites one teacher finds may be useful for another teacher as well. Through social bookmarking, they can share their favorite websites with each other and with other teachers. I believe this would be a great resource for students as well. If a teacher finds a website that can help students study for an upcoming test or better understand a concept, he or she can share it with the students. I believe social bookmarking could be very useful in my classroom. I am sure there will be some students to understand something and will need a little extra help. If this tool will help them to learn, then I will definitely take advantage of it. As for VoiceThread, I think it is a really great idea. I like how there are so many different methods to comment. I would definitely be interested in trying this out in my classroom. This would be an awesome way for the students to help each other solve homework problems. The student that is having a hard time could post a picture of the problem and then his or her classmates could respond in a number of ways as to how to solve it. I think this is a tool that I would really like to try out. It seems really fun and easy to do. I think students would love it.

                After reading about Tapped In, I think it sounds like a great way for teachers to communicate with one another. As the book states, “Teacher isolation has long been an obstacle to the exchange of ideas and information in the teaching profession.” (page 128) Teachers rarely have time to communicate with one another during the school day. There are usually only a few minutes between classes and short conference periods (which teachers of the same subject rarely have at the same time). Tapped In seems like a great solution to that problem. Teachers can sign on and share their ideas and information with a wealth of other teachers. Personally, I have not explored it yet but I would definitely like to. There are also sections on there where students can connect with one another as well. The book talked about students from China asking to communicate with students from other countries. I wish I had the chance in high school to do this. I would love to know what school is like in other countries. Overall, this seems like a great way for information and ideas to be shared with one another. It is helpful to have a community of people supporting you and you supporting them. From what the book says, Tapped In is a very widely used and well liked resource for experts, teachers, and students alike. I look forward to exploring it.

Jonassen, DJ, Howland, JH, Marra, RM, & Crismond, DC (2008). Meaningful Learning with Technology. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson.

Lefever, L. (Producer), (2007). Wikis in Plain English. Available from http://commoncraft.com

Lefever, L. (Producer), (2007). Social Bookmarking in Plain English. Available from http://dailymotion.com

Unknown producer. (2007). VoiceThread Introduction. Available from http://voicethread.com

(to view the video just click where it says “Collaboration made simple.”)