Dr. Alice Christie has a really awesome website (www.alicechristie.org) where she discusses some popular things and how they can be used in the classroom. She has links and information about anything from Google Earth, GPS, and geocaching to podcasting, web design, and more. She really gives some helpful hints and information about these popular things and how some of them can be used in the classroom. The one that I liked most was Google Earth. I think that is one of the all time coolest tools EVER! It can help students learn about things and really give them a hands on sense of where things are in our world.
The thing that I appreciated most about this website is the information she gave on internet safety. She provided ways to be safe while using various forms of technology. I think this is an important thing to consider and to really warn your students about. So many things can go haywire on the web and students need to be aware of those things and know what to avoid and how to avoid it. Teachers also need to be aware of safety issues so that we can do our part to protect the impressionable eyes, ears, and minds of our students.
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I have to be honest...the next topic is one that I am not familiar with at all. iTunes U definitely does look like something that is very usable in a classroom, however. Students can use things on there to learn about and hear things they may not otherwise get the opportunity to hear or learn about. One of the examples on the website was about listening to heart murmurs. Video can also be used to allow students to see things they may not otherwise get the chance to do so, like I discussed in an earlier post on podcasting.
I think perhaps my favorite and the coolest thing about iTunes U is that it makes things available to all students, regardless of disability. Visually impaired students can now feel a part of things when they can listen to a podcast about something and be able to know just what their non-impaired classmates got to know. It also helps students with motor disabilities be a part of things as well by being able to hear the same things that their classmates hear and experience. I think this is a GREAT tool that I can definitely see myself using.
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iPods are also a product with which I am not very familiar, since I do not own one of my own. They do have a unique possibility in education, however. Thanks to this, I now have a better understanding of how they can be used.
Susie Meserve sat down with Robert Craven, the education technology coordinatior in Orange County [California] Department of Education. He gave some helpful insight on how iPods can be used and how they are use in his district. They are helpful for students to be able to download podcasts, audio books, and the like so that they can have them at their own disposal for whenever they are needed.
I think this is a neat tool, but should be used with great discretion. It has its many good points, but it can also be used for non-educational purposes during education time quicker than most things that are available. However, I definitely think that they should be utilized to the extent that is appropriate and that the student is able to use them.
The thing that I appreciated most about this website is the information she gave on internet safety. She provided ways to be safe while using various forms of technology. I think this is an important thing to consider and to really warn your students about. So many things can go haywire on the web and students need to be aware of those things and know what to avoid and how to avoid it. Teachers also need to be aware of safety issues so that we can do our part to protect the impressionable eyes, ears, and minds of our students.
~~~
I have to be honest...the next topic is one that I am not familiar with at all. iTunes U definitely does look like something that is very usable in a classroom, however. Students can use things on there to learn about and hear things they may not otherwise get the opportunity to hear or learn about. One of the examples on the website was about listening to heart murmurs. Video can also be used to allow students to see things they may not otherwise get the chance to do so, like I discussed in an earlier post on podcasting.
I think perhaps my favorite and the coolest thing about iTunes U is that it makes things available to all students, regardless of disability. Visually impaired students can now feel a part of things when they can listen to a podcast about something and be able to know just what their non-impaired classmates got to know. It also helps students with motor disabilities be a part of things as well by being able to hear the same things that their classmates hear and experience. I think this is a GREAT tool that I can definitely see myself using.
~~~~
iPods are also a product with which I am not very familiar, since I do not own one of my own. They do have a unique possibility in education, however. Thanks to this, I now have a better understanding of how they can be used.
Susie Meserve sat down with Robert Craven, the education technology coordinatior in Orange County [California] Department of Education. He gave some helpful insight on how iPods can be used and how they are use in his district. They are helpful for students to be able to download podcasts, audio books, and the like so that they can have them at their own disposal for whenever they are needed.
I think this is a neat tool, but should be used with great discretion. It has its many good points, but it can also be used for non-educational purposes during education time quicker than most things that are available. However, I definitely think that they should be utilized to the extent that is appropriate and that the student is able to use them.
Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteGreat job with your writing! iTunes was difficult for me when I first got my ipod and eventually I figured it out. Hopefully the same will happen for you since we will be using it throughout the class. Good luck!
Rebecca, I also read up on internet safety on Dr. Christie website. It caught my attention as well and she had some very good information. I'm with you when it comes to itunes U i have not played around with it before either, but it's a great time to start figuring it out because it might come in handy in the near future! Keep up the good work i enjoyed reading your post!
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