Thing 13

I had never used voicethreading before and I am still not 100% sure that I did it correctly or that you can access my comment (I can though). Though the practical application for this is evident, I think I will need to play around with it more in order to feel secure enough to utilize it with my class. Perhaps this summer I can work with it.

As I stated in the sandbox and on my comment, I could use this to further a class discussion or as a way to introduce and stimulate debate on a current events topic. I think that the voicethreading would be more useful on a daily basis. It would encourage classroom participation, etc. Like I said, I will need to explore it more in order to implement it effectively in class.

Thing 5d

I chose to write about President Obama's visit to Egypt. It was interesting to read some of the comments that the President made as well as the analysis. It seems that President Obama was well received which could positively open the doors between the Middle East and the US. A new line of communication needs to be established in order to secure our safety and ensure global stability. While the world is not going to change overnight, this is a step in the right direction.

Thing 19

This is probably the most painless activity that we have done yet. That, or I am just getting better at using the computer and all of its technological gadgets.

The programs that we used to produce the podcast were actually very user friendly. This could be useful in my teaching for a cooperative learning activity. Students could be placed into groups where they could read, analyze, and discuss one lesson in the text. After all of the groups created the podcasts, then they could all share what they learned with the class. What I really like about this is that not only could they access this podcast at school, but they could also access it at home when they are studying for a test.

I could also record and publish important notes or lecture highlights so that students could access the information from home if they had a question regarding something that they read or did not take clear enough notes on.

This could also benefit special needs students who need repetition or are auditory learners. The possibilities are boundless.

Thing #18

I subscribed to the Education Podcast with John Merrow on PBS.org. I listened to a few of the podcasts. This would be a great podcast to use as a discussion start point for professional development. In one podcast he was discussing the impact of the economic stimulus package on education. Basically, he said that if a child does not have the basic needs met at home, then he/she will not be able to perform at school. Not that he had anything to say that we do not already talk about at work anyway, but it was an interesting start point. This actually could be a great start point for a discussion with either AP or advanced economics class. How does the economic stimulus indirectly affect education and students in the classroom?

Thing #16

Plunking is very wierd. It is like the "What's on your mind?" bar on Facebook except you chronicle more of your life's mundane details. Does anyone really care enough to follow my every waking internet musing?

Thing #5c

While I was checking my reader I came across this article on the California earthquake that happened this weekend. My sister-in-law lives out there and she was only a few miles from the epicenter. As it turned out she is fine, but it was interesting that I was able to find something on my reader that was more pertainant. I am beginning to like to reader. It is like having a beautifully landscaped yard. If you don't keep the hedges constantly trimmed, then the overgrowth is unmanageable.

Thing 14

I have used teacher tube before. It is a great tool to utilize when you want to show students historical footage. Some of videos are incredibly hoakie. The link that I embedded was one that I heard was on Teacher Tube. (By the way, the comments on this video are extremely inappropriate. I would check out any video before I showed it t omake sure that comments were appropriate.) I never could nor never would show it to my students, but I looked at if for production value. All of the videos that I saw on Teacher Tube were very low tech as opposed to the more polished videos that You Tube has. Granted, You Tube has plenty of amatuer videos, but it is obvious that Teacher Tube was designed as a teaching toll and not just another way to seek 15 minutes of fame. I think that with some very basic video equipment a teacher could produce and post student work fairly easily.

I have come across some items on You Tube that I wanted to share with my students or other coworkers. I'm glad to know that there is a way to show those on my computer.