Week Five

So I was thinking about each individual readings/videos and below are some of my comments:
Tools for the TEKS:
this article was reflecting on the benefits of having podcasting in the classroom. In it's more narrow definition podcasting refers to audio files being placed on the web, but as the article points out they can be created with video files as well. Podcasting is a good tool for the classroom, as the author points out, because it targets the digital natives and it's FREE. It is important to have these free tools in the classroom because school funding isn't always plentiful. Podcasting takes a microphone, a free online program, and some willing participants. This article said a lot of the same things that others have about how intergrating technology in the classroom is needed for these students but there were two concepts addressed in this article that I liked in particular. (1) was that of communicating to the global audience and not just the teacher. By podcasting students find that they are performing for more than just one person (their teacher) but rather the world. By putting a bigger audience to a project students are more likely to be more concerned with the quality of their work. (2) I really liked the idea of podcasting creating a "window" into the classroom. Often times parents are curious as to what their children are up to when they are in the classroom and podcasts would afford them the opportunity to take a look... or a listen. Once a podcast is posted parents could listen to them at home so they can hear the content that their child is being taught and also get a glimpse into a new technology.
4 Generations:
this movie really got me interested in the story being told. It's amazing to me to see what a video can do to send a message to the public. The story behind this was a touching one, a violin player living in China caught wind of a man's post which stated: Donate $250 and give a family in China a Water buffalo. Although there really was no buffalo to be given the violinist contacted that man. Since he was living in China he was able to find out the importance a water buffalo has for a family in China and how to get one. The mission of the movie was to broadcast the funding, finding and delivery of this precious gift to a family in need. To be able to watch the family of 4 generations, a great-grandmother, grandmother, son and his daughter all receive this immense gift was fascinating. The circumstances of this family was tragic and the worst part is that they aren't the only family in that region that would benefit from getting a water buffalo. For a little over $200 U.S. a water buffalo can be bought in China, which can turn the soil (working for up to 15 years) or be butchered and feed a family for 6 months. I really enjoyed watching this flash film and seeing how it told a powerful story.
Top News:
to me this article was closely linked, in my thoughts on videos, to 4 generations. Although neither one dealing with the same topic they both to me showed the importance of video. This article discussed that having video in the classroom is important. I completely agree. Video is something this generation can completely relate to and therefore can both learn from and enjoy. Many schools are incorporating different means of video usage in the classroom: streaming off line, using video cameras, standard VHS or DVD, etc. Each of these methods give the students the opportunity to be engaged and informed. A well made video clip on the computer can be just as effective as a DVD sent by the textbook company. By branching out from just the standard VHS and DVDs students get to work with more technologies and that is important.
YouTube: Smartboard Basics
Personally, I have never used a smartboard so I found this demonstration to be really interesting. The possibilities that a smartboard gives to a classroom is immense. All of the articles we have read, as well as the pedagogical methods we are learning, all stress student involvement and interaction. This piece of equipment does just that! Students and teacher become involved in the lesson through the smartboard. I think it's really cool that a teacher, or student, can pull up clip art and write on the board for a more interactive lesson. Although this was just a brief introduction into the smartboard I'm excited to learn more!
And that's what I was thinking....