Podcasting

Even though I don’t use podcasting normally, I am familiar with the term. When I received my first iPod podcasting was my favorite thing, because it was free and it automatically updated itself so there was something different every time. But after reading the text and doing research I learned podcasting is a form of Internet radio (Crismond, Howland, Jonassen, & Marra, 2008). Currently, in one of my class my teacher posts podcast for the class. I’ve listened to a couple of them, they have helped but I prefer face to face interaction. The way he use it is very beneficial because if you happen to miss a day in class the information is right there.

Podcasting and Web 2.0 are both tools that could be used and have a positive affect but they do have some differences. When I think of Web 2.0 I think more of socializing, but podcasting is more informative and Web 2.0 is more interacting. Also, podcasting can be access without using internet but the internet is required for Web 2.0. But they both can be accessed from the internet.

As I stated before I have an iPod and originally I did use the podcasting tool, but now I just use my iPod for music. I would use it for my class but I wouldn’t allow students to depend on it. It would just be the basic lecture. I believe online communication is definitely important and beneficial because it cuts down on cost and we basically live in a technology based world so I see it as mandatory learning to learn how to communicate online. But I believe if people start to depend on online communication it would and could cripple people because you would then begin to lose the ability to communicate face to face.

References:

Crismond, D., Howland, J., Jonassen, D., Marra, R. M. (2008). Meaningful learning with technology. Columbus: Pearson, Merrill Prentice Hall.

Community Building With Technologies

Blogging and using wikis are great tools to me, but I wouldn't make them requirements in my class. Even though I wouldn't make it a requirement but I would make sure the students understood if they were to participate, it could only benefit them in the long run. With teaching a business class I would have people blog about companies, interviews or something such a job posting. If I was to teach a math class I would have students blog about how they applied the lesson to real life. 

I love the idea of social bookmarking. I know a lot of students have issues finding credible cites, so I believe this could help cut down. This could also make the students not get so jittery when they hear the research paper and it will help with citing things also. But one thing I would do if I were to use this tool in my classroom, it would be to give people extra points based on how many people used the cite they posted and if it was credited. Also, I think people who don't use the tool but do good on there own deserve something also.

I have never heard about Tapped In prior to this class. But, this is the one that interest me the most out of all of them. TeacherTalk is a wonderful tool. TeacherTalk is a discussion forum where K-12 teachers can discuss teaching techniques, trade lesson plan ideas, and support one another (Crismond, Howland, Jonassen, & Marra, 2008, p. 132). This is crucial because I believe that teachers need a support system and this would be a big support system so there would always be somebody available to talk and understand. A lot of times a new program may be implemented, so what would be better then to get advice or share advice on how things being done in the classroom. with TeacherTalk it would provide more access to communicate and I am a firm believer that communication is the key.

 

References

Crismond, D., Howland, J., Jonassen, D., Marra, R. M.  (2008).  Meaningful Learning With Technology. Upper Saddle, New Jersey: Pearson.

Assessments, E-Portfolios, and Computer- Based Testing

The definition of assessment is the process of gathering and analyzing data to determine if intended learning outcomes have been achieved (Crismond, Howland, Jonassen, & Marra, 2008, p. 219). With that being said it only makes sense teachers have certain activities to make sure the outcome teachers expected where achieved by students. I feel that assessments that are creative and students feel comfortable with are the most effective. I think when students approach things as test we get more nervous and aren’t able to concentrate, so it may appear a student haven’t fully got the grasp on a topic. In order to use assessment activities as a way to generate feedback that can improve a learner’s performance, teachers should move on to the next objective once majority students understand. If teachers just move on students may not feel as if there is no hope if they keep feeling left behind.

E-Portfolios are a collection of digitized artifacts that may include video clips, graphics, sound, writing samples, artwork, and multimedia presentations (Crismond, Howland, Jonassen, & Marra, 2008, p. 220). It helps students and teachers by providing a creative spin to things. Most of the time, when using for class if they all pertain the same thing it will have basically the same thing expect a background. This can be an attention grabber for the students and teachers. I believe computer-based tests impact can impact validity and reliability. When students take a computer-based test it increases the chance of things possibly going wrong. And a lot of times there may be a number listed to contact if something goes wrong, but sometimes the patron may panic and not even contact the person they need or it could be too late because they may have tried to fix it themselves.

In conclusion, I believe E-Portfolios and computer-based testing could be used, but it is up to the teacher to get to know their class and what best works for them. If students aren’t able to learn in the styles listed above then I believe it is time to move to a different style or take the time and make sure the students do understand what and how to use E-Portfolios.

References

Crismond, D., Howland, J., Jonassen, D., Marra, R. M.  (2008).  Meaningful Learning With Technology. Upper Saddle, New Jersey: Pearson.