Podcasting

Paragraph 1: What did you learn about podcasting.  How it can be used in the classroom?

        I learned a lot about podcasting. Before this lesson, I had never heard of it and could not have told you what it was or how it was used. Now I at least have a basic knowledge of it, so I definately learned something new. The book mentions that in the classroom it can be used as a class-created podcast. I think if I were to use this, that would be the only way I would. I really have trouble seeing how I would use it at all honestly.

Paragraph 2: How is podcasting different / similar to other Web 2.0 applications we discussed so far?

        I think it is similar because it is still fairly new technonolgy and is a way to reach many people. It gives the creator a chance to make and share something of interest to them. It can also be a way to help keep people connected. It is different because it can be used outside of a computer. Most of the stuff we have discussed are meant to be used online. This you can download and take with you and it can still be used outside the Internet.

Paragraph 3: Your reflection:  Do you own an iPod or MP3 player?  How do you use it?  Would you use it in your classroom and how? What do you think about advantages/disadvantages of online communication tools?

        I actually do not own an iPod or MP3 player. That probably sounds really odd, I know. Both of my kids have MP3 players, but I have honestly never had much desire in having one. I just really do not have any need of one, so I have never bothered. I mainly got them for my kids so they could listen to their music and I didn't have to. I really do not see myself using them in  my classroom either. I guess I am still a little old fashioned. I do believe some of the technology we have discussed has advantages. I like the idea of blogs and wikis. The MI lesson plan could definately be helpful. Still, I feel some of this is just too much. This podcasting and the VoiceThread do not hold appeal for me. I think they take away too much from one on one interaction, I do not think I will use either of these in my class.

Wikis, Blogs, Social Bookmarking and more...

Paragraph 1:  I would like to hear from you how and when you be will using wikis and blogs with your students. Provide an example.
            I like the idea of both wikis and blogs and think they could be useful in the classroom. I plan on teaching high school Speech. I think it would be a good idea to have a class blog. Information from and for the class would accessible to both students and parents. It would be a good way to encourage interaction. Also, notes and tips for writing speeches could be available for students outside of class. As for wikis, I have never considered using them for class before, but I think it could be done. I think a good way to do this would be to have the students write a group speech and have them use wikis during this. Their progress and participation could easily be monitered and students could work on things outside of the classroom and still make it accessible to the other members of the group.


Paragraph 2: What do you think about Socialbookmarking? Would it be useful for you and your students? How? Explain. Are you interested in creating a VoiceThread? Why/why not?
           This was the first time I had heard of Social bookmarking. I found it very interesting. I am definately one of those people who marks things to my favorites and then accumulates so much that its hard to sort through and find what I am looking for. This would be much easier and a lot more convenient. I think it would be useful in class because I could bookmark sites that would be helpful to the students and they in turn could bookmark sites they found helpful while writing their speeches for their classmates to use. I am not sure about the VoiceThread. I just think it might be a little much. Most students are nervous about giving speeches as it is and I would not want to put their speeches on a thread this way. I'm really not sure how else I would use it or why. This is my first experience with them though, so maybe I'll change my opinion when I am more familiar with them.


Paragraph 3: When talking about learning communities, what do you think about Tapped In? Have you explored it? If you have, do you think it's useful for you as a teacher? If you have not, what do you learn from the textbook?
            I think Tapped In could be helpful. I did explore it. At first I logged in as a guest and was actually asked right away by someone at the helpdesk via chat if there was anything they could help me with. When I told him I was exploring as part of a class assignment he suggested I register for a free account because some aspects weren't viewable as a guest. It was still a little confusing trying to find my way around it, but I do think it could be useful. The fact that there are people readily available  to assist you is a plus as well. Once I have learned to navigate it better, I'm sure I will find it very useful.




Jonassen, David, Howland, Jane, Marra, Rose, and Crismond, David. (2008). Meaningful Learning with Technology. 100-135. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall


LeFever, Lee. (2007) "Social Bookmarking in Plain English". Dailymotion. Retrieved on October 13, 2010. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2rqw9_social-bookmarking-in-plain-english_school


SRI International. (2010). Tapped In. Retrieved on October 13, 2010. http://tappedin.org/tappedin/


VoiceThread. (2007). Retrieved on October 13, 2010. http://voicethread.com/

Assesments and E-portfolios

Paragraph 1: 
Why do you use assessment activities? How do you use assessment activities as a way to generate feedback that can improve learner performance?
      Assessments are used to evaluate the students' skils and knowledge. The information gained can then be used to improve performance. Assessments also help us to understand strengths and weakness of both the students and the teacher. It is obvious that assessments show problem areas for a student, but if the assessments show an area that is unanimously low among all or most of the students, the teacher's method of teaching in that area may need to be reevaluated. If assessments are directly related to a specific learning activity, it reflects on the learners' performance of that activity. This can then show which areas need extra attention or help to re-examine the learning methods being used and can improve performance.

Paragraph 2:
What is e-portfolio? How does it help teachers and students? What are computer-based tests? Does the use of computer-based tests impact validity and reliability?
      An e-portfoilio is "a collection of digitized artifacts that may include video clips, graphics, sound, writing samples, artwork, and multimedia presentations" and can show a person's acheivements. One way they help is they can serve as assessments of various abilities the student has learned. They also offer teachers flexibility and have "logisitc advantages. Computer-based tests are tests completed or scored on a computer. I don't think they impact validity or reliability. As long as accurate information is submitted by the teacher, the tests should be accurate as well.

Paragraph 3:
Conclusion
      I thought this chapter was interesting because it reinforced some of what I read when doing my Journal critique. It is important for teachers to be able to accurately evaluate a students knowledge and skills. It is also important to have a way outside of standardized testing to do this. Some students just do not test well and others might just being having a bad day the day of the test. That woul not give an accurate view of their capabiities. With tools like the e-portfolio, it shows learned abilities being put to use. I feel this is a more accurate way of gauging a students aptitude.

Jonassen, David, Howland, Jane, Marra, Rose, and Crismond, David. (2008). Meaningful Learning with Technology. 217-239. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall