Podcasting

This was my first experience being introduced to Podcast. When I first started looking at the information provided I didn't know what purposes and how this could be integrated in the classroom. However, after listening to several of the experts on the video and going through the process myself, I realized this tool is a beneficial that teachers can benefit from and use in the classroom.

I like the ability of the computer doing all the work and downloading the information to the computer. The process of watching the video is easy. The part that was a little irritating was the downloading. I made a video on my computer and then tried to upload it to Podcast and it said that my file was too large. So I can see some problems with using this for educational purposes because the information size will have to be limited. Other than some minor problems with the system running slow this is a fairly easy type of technology to use.

The idea for my Podcast was to use it as "Community Events" information for students. Students can watch weekly videos I make on local events that are happening in their community. I found events that are low cost or free. There are some many kids who need stuff to do to stay off the street. So I figured if I found a "cool" way for my class to have access to find out "What's going on" it may save some of them from doing the wrong thing. This way they have no excuse for hanging out in the streets on the weekend. With my field being in Secondary English and I will be teaching the older students, a Podcast would be a great tool for me to use in my classroom.

Blogging & Twittering

The learning of Blogging and Twittering was a slight challenge for me. I am familiar with the two, but this was my first experience getting my feet wet and learning. The two have taught me several things and have shown me innovative ways to help teach in the classroom.

Blogging, I learned can be a great tool to use in an English teacher's classroom. It's a new way for students to write and journal. I like the idea of going paperless. Doing this makes it harder for students to have excuses about losing homework. It helps teach them accountability and deadlines. By setting up a blog it allows students to further class discussion and be able to interact with class at anytime. Students can use their own blog to post assignments. This is also a way for students to research and get other ideas. In addition, blogging helps students be able to become more interactive with their work and that motivates students to work harder. And my bring the world to the classroom it helps students learn how to network early on.

By setting up Twitter I have learned some creative ideas that I can use in the classroom that I never thought of before. Twitter is good to use in the classroom because it engages students with technology, they can respond to questions, it utilize mobile technology and meta cognition. By using this I can foster community within and outside the classroom by generating discussions. This may be more useful then blogging in this aspect because since Twitter only allows 140 characters at a time it will help students learn how to express their thoughts in a concise and clear manner. The benefit for the real time response is helpful because as a teacher it will allow me to communicate with students outside the classroom and help them learn at all times. I liked in the video the creative writing examples that were shown. I plan to follow @manyvoices because it shows just how unique and special Twitter can be. I like the idea of having children from all over collaborate to support and write about one main idea.