Virtual Classrooms

In the article I read, it explains virtual classrooms as a private online blackboard that teachers can use for student learning. These classrooms are done online which means they can be accessed at any time of day but is just as busy as a regular classroom. It also includes a list of things a virtual classroom might include, and why the reader should use a virtual classroom.

Virtual classrooms are almost the same as a face-to-face meeting, with the difference being that your not physically seeing the other person and the virtual classroom can be done at any time; within the instructor’s limitations if any. In a virtual classroom, you can keep in touch with students, other teachers and even chat with parents. The teacher can still provide group or individual projects, quizzes, surveys, homework assignments, and open a new door to students with technology. They also allow you to instantly see a grade on a test because it is grading electronically, and the students can have a personal page that shows individual grades and comments done by the teacher.

In my opinion, virtual classrooms are a great alternative to the traditional classroom. Just like our education class that we are all taking online, we have the freedom to log on whenever we have time and complete assignments given to us by our professor. Virtual classrooms are great for stay at home moms, or dads, that do not have a lot of time but with the help of this technology they can still do their routine duties at home and have the luxury of furthering their career. It is also good for college students that are already worn out from having classes in person, driving back and forth, working and just getting used to being on their own.

I think this technology is a really good idea but I’m not sure if it will help me. I’m going to be teaching elementary students and virtual classrooms seem like a big responsibility for a younger child. I need to do some research into exactly what grade or age is appropriate for this technology. Also, maybe there is an alternative to it being solely a virtual classroom. For example, the students would still meet in a classroom but have their grades posted on a web page so that they can review them at anytime and their parents can stay up to date with their grades so that they know where their child stands instead of waiting for a report card when it is almost too late to make changes. Overall, it seems like a great thing!

http://education.qld.gov.au/learningplace/onlinelearning/virtual-classroom.html

Streaming Video

The article I read describes Rhode Islands' PBS Video Streaming program, which is a "subscription-based service that gives teachers and students access to more than 4,000 full-length and 44,000 clips of core curriculm and standard based video programs instantly over the internet". For their particular program, all the teacher has to do is type in a keyword or concept into the search box and the database will locate the information by subject and/or grade. Stream video play digital media in 'real time', they play as soon as enough video or play back audio data has been received and stored in the receiving station's buffer. Although it is downloaded, it does not stay on your computer after you have exited out of it.

This relates to teaching by showing students a fun way of learning. As mentioned in previous blogs, students are becoming more technologically advanced and stream video is just one more plus for teachers because the students are more likely to watch a video or pictures than sitting there solely listening to lecture. One subject it is good for is science classes. For example, the teacher is teaching his/her students about tectonic plates, with this technolgy there could be a video of these plates and what the outcome is for the world. The site also mentions that videos are always up to date and current which is a plus because it's cheaper than buying new books just because someone found new information.

I think stream video is a great technology with a lot of advantages for the years to come. It can be used in every subject, it is a fun way for students to learn and students would actually pay attention, and stream videos are viewed online for free. Plus, no trees are cut down to be used as hand outs for students.

Although I think stream video is an excellent technology, there is still research to be done. I wonder how accurate the information really is, what schools in my area offer programs such as the one for the website I found, and how else to incorporate the stream videos into a lesson plan if I choose to use it in my class.
http://www.ripbs.org/Education/video_streaming.html

Podcasting

The article I read is "Podcasting in Education: A New Way to Inspire Learning". It starts off by stating that podcasting is a great tool for 'creative expression' with the knowledge of today's generation. Their definition of podcasts are audio or video files that are automatically delivered over the network and played back on a laptop or Ipod. It allows the teacher or student to include audio, video, presentation slides, movies or photos into their presentations. The teacher could also record a book narrative or foreign language assignment as homework.

Podcasts are definately benefinicial, especially with the years to come when students are going to become more visual, hand's on and technologically advanced. The website also mentions that podcasts can be published on a website and be sent to every computer on a school's network. This is a great idea for something that needs to be sent school wide; for example, a school wants to expand it's campus and the students want to be involved or the principal is giving a speech and not all students/faculty can attend because of personal reasons. With the use of podcasting, the students/faculty can still feel involved in the process by seeing and hearing things that they were not able to physically be at. They could also be used with a teacher that teaches the same subject three times a day, with the use of podcasts in the classroom, the teacher can go back and see or hear what she in the first class so she does not get confused on what she has said to one class, or if a student was not in class or just wants to freshen up on learning, they could easily go onto the school's website and use the podcast to their advantage.

In my opinion, I think podcasts are a great invention and should be used in the classroom. With the help of podcasts, students can extend their imagination and make their learning experience unique. And with the invention of Apple's new Mac computer which includes programs such as iMovie, iPhoto, iDVD, Garageband and a built in camera, it becomes a lot easier for students and teachers to use podcasting and share it with the class.

For futher research, I want to find some lesson plans where it would be beneficial to use podcasting in the classroom and guidelines to make it possible. Also, to find places to use podcasting other than the classroom and use it to my personal advantage.

http://www.apple.com/education/digitalauthoring/podcasting.html