The Water Cycle

Entry #8 A reflection on Integrating Technology in the Classroom

      The learning process is not one that comes simply to a classroom full of energized students. However, I believe that all students do have the desire to learn, and have the ability to learn in any situation. 

     Tools to help these abilities should, in many instances, come in the form of technology. 

Here are some examples:

• The use of Power Point
• Podcasting 
• Virtual Tours
• Google maps [can show students parts of the world up-close]

   Since the beginning of this semester alone, I have the spectrum of technologies I feel comfortable and confident using has grown immensely. For example, podcasting is now quite natural to me. I am thankful for opportunity to learn to utilize these tools in my life and, more importantly to one day incorporate, into a classroom.  

Entry #7 The Glories of Podcasting

Notes on Podcasting: Reflections and Answers


 (1) Definition of podcasting:

• Podcasting is the preparation and distribution of audio files using RSS to the computers of subscribed users.

(2) How you will use Podcasting in your classroom?

• The are many fun and interesting ways to integrate podcasting into the classroom. One way I will go about this is through class presentations. Studying to be an intervention specialist one day, and I have had the idea to have students podcast oral presentations, for specific assignments, rather than giving a speech in front of the whole class. I will have my students podcast outside of school hours, as a homework assignment, and then the student's podcast will be played back for the class on the presentation's due day. This way, my students will be less nervous to public speak, and the class will still get the privilege of experiencing presentations in group settings. 

(3) The Pros and Cons of Podcasting:

•  One of the pros to podcasting is that a copy of what has been spoken can be saved for ever. It can be played back at anytime, almost anywhere. 
• A potential con to podcasting would be that some students do not have the means of technology to podcast at home. Concerning assignments- it may be unrealistic for many students to follow through with their part of integrating of podcasting in the classroom. They could become very overwhelmed by the assignment, which takes the fun out of podcasting.

Entry #6: Ethics and the Real World

Considering the very debatable issue of Ethics, I have recorded a blog in response to the following questions from my perspective opinion on the topic:

(1) The definition of ethics:
       

• Ethics is the code of rules and conduct recognized in respect to particular actions or values. Such as the moral principles of an individual.

 

 (2) How will ethics affect my work as a teacher an my students and colleagues:

•  The personal code of ethics that I will have developed in my years leading up to teaching, will have a great impact on the students and colleagues surrounding me one day. I think that one person's code of ethics can have a strong rippling effect on others. This can be a positive thing or a negative thing.

(3) The pros and cons of being concerned with ethics:

• The possible Pros: I believe that one's conscious as well as one's reputation will be as clean as that person wants them to be. It will be in my power to make a name for myself; a key feature of this name will involve my personal ethics and how well I stick to them. 
• The inevitable Cons: By keeping grounded in my ethics and moral convictions concerning a code of ethics will surely bring ridicule from certain different angles of the topic; everyone is their own person, meaning everyone's opinion is bound to be different from the next. I may make some enemies with certain differing ethical convictions in the work field.

ENTRY #5 Virtual Tours: Adventures and More!

~What is a virtual tour?
A Vvirtual Tour is a simulation of an existing location, usually composed of a sequence of video images. They also may use other multimedia elements such as sound effects, music, narration, and text.

How to Incorporate a Virtual Tour into the Classroom:
~Children in a class (ranging anywhere between the 1st grade to the 12th grade) can have the privilege to choose what kind of virtual tour to take, and where they want the tour to take them. Students love the power of choice. Also, teachers have many options of ideas and strategies of follow up assignments for the virtual tour, such as a reflection paper the students must write, or creating their own audio podcast to explain their thoughts.
~A teacher can also involve the students in the learning process by requiring her classroom to break into groups and each create their own virtual tour. This way, the students are fully engaging in a class activity and fulfilling a class requirement for the grade-book. 

~The PROS and CONS
It is a genius design to involve a classroom of children (of any age) to travel the world from their classroom desks. This can be a positive because it saves so much money for the school, when compared with field trips and transportation.
However, a con to virtual tours would be that it may seem lazy to many parents or other educators; many may view the virtual tours as a teacher slacking off, not allowing truly allowing students to experience the place or event they are touring.