Scenario

    I see that I am educator in the 21st century. This is an age where if information isn't shared through the Web or on a Website it probably is going to be useless to half the population. My students have been brought up in a time where computers and laptops are ubiquitous which means many will be able to navigate them with ease, or at least have had a chance to use one in their lifetime. I can't say the same for myself, but with my own education and training I have learned where to find some of the most incredible and useful tools that I feel will have a huge impact on my students' learning and creative abilities. Maybe some students dislike writing an essay or have the inability to fully express themselves in a written essay. I will not fight an upstream battle in this case, I can have them record a well-planned and balanced argument or informational essay using their computer and thus have them make a Podcast that iterates the same information that would have been otherwise untapped in a written assignment. I can assign students the task of making a video that gives them the opportunity to be creative and express their individuality. They can present these to their peers on their computers, as well as edit and share however they may choose. Likewise, no longer are we confined to our classroom, our city or even our country. Maybe my students would like to share information with students across the globe in China or Europe and consequently learn about a new culture in a way that is new, invigorating and not done by reading words in a textbook but rather done by listening to children their own age who live it everyday. Some days illnesses or extracurricular activities keep students out of class, rather then leave them to catch up to the rest of the class I can stream my lessons via the Web and this gives any other students the opportunity to go back and be reminded of what I covered in class. I'd do this will tools like Voicethread and by making my own Podcasts. It's an incredible age where if I needed to I could teach to a class that is not even in the same state as I am. Whatever the case may be, in the years ahead I know I will have a Mac. I will use the Internet and all its tools to teach students in a way that I know they will better appreciate because they already spend hours a day on the Internet as it is. I want to create a fully functional and efficient Website (Half of which I've already done, but I'm working to better it) so that students get up-to-date information, news and grades. I won't allow for cellphone use continuously throughout a class period but I will allow for students to use them as references because many students have apps that let them look up words in the dictionary, for example. I will let them research and never say that the information stops when my lesson stops but that my lessons are merely a jumping off point to get them started on the journey. Information surrounds us now and I think we must open them up to it. One stipulation is that they have a computer, the Internet and the desire to follow my lead in the exciting process of integrating technology into our classroom.

My "Wow" Moment

    Much of this course has opened my eyes to tools on the Internet and the resources that the Internet offers that I probably wouldn't have known existed otherwise. Honestly, in all the time I had been using the Internet almost each piece of information taught in this course was new or I had just barely been acquainted with it. This indeed is a "wow" moment. I'm thankful to now know so much more about the tools and resources the Web offers. More specifically, when we began to use the Google tools I was taken back. Never did I realize Google offered these tools and never would I have thought to use them. They are incredibly useful and amazingly simple to use! They allow for multiple users to collaborate on a document in real time, meaning you see who is editing and what they are editing at the same time you may be typing something on the page. This does not all have to be done at the same time more importantly. You are given access to these tools and documents on your own time! There is Google Spreadsheets, Google Documents, Google Forms and Google Presentations, just to name a few. You can create tests right on the Internet that anyone can access and submit their answers to or just put up some links you'd like to share with your friends. All of it is incredibly user friendly, or for those who are struggling tutorials for using these applications are offered as well. I hope this link stays live because Mrs. Cindi Danner-Kuhn as comprised the most useful and relevant tutorials all on one page...Google Tools Tutorials.

Podcast favorites

    Each week for our DED 318 course we were also required to listen to a Podcast and reflect on its usefulness to us as educators. One very influential person who does incredibly relevant Podcasts is Wesley Fryer, out of Edmond, Oklahoma. His Podcast Moving at the Speed of Creativity gives listeners current news about technology within the field of education. He shares hundreds of useful and relevant tools that can allow teachers to enhance their lessons thus increasing their students' engagement. In his latest Podcast he discusses the ever-present iPad. This piece of technology is rapidly becoming the go to piece of hardware for classes because of the millions of applications it allows users to download for nearly any subject. Also, with a size that is just under 2 pounds in weight, it combines the endless possibilities of a Macbook with the convenience of something that can be taken everywhere with being too cumbersome, or heavy.
    In another Podcast he describes  Dr. Carl Owens' presentation, "Cool Tools for the Classroom," at the 2011 Mississippi Educational Computing Association annual conference in Jackson on February 8th. Carl is a Professor and the Director of Technology at the College of Education, Tennessee Technological University. These types of Podcasts Fryer presents are just as important as those that explain new technologies. One of Fryer's greatest attributes is he is global in his thinking and gives praise and recognition to those teachers he thinks are doing great things in their classrooms with technology. He is upbeat and enthusiastic with his Podcasts and I think everyone should listen.

Animoto examples 2...

Why I want to educate

Semester favorites - Animoto examples...

ChesnuttBio

Semester favorites

    So many things have been covered throughout the course of this semester in my DED 318 class at Kansas State. We've covered everything from inserting pictures onto a website to how to create your own comic strips online. While all of it has been intriguing there are some specific topics we've covered that I've personally enjoyed. To start, the web tool Animoto is an incredible application. On Animoto.com everyone has a chance to create their very own 30 second video simply by signing into the website with a user name and password. It is an awesome opportunity to take pictures from memorable events or pictures that can accompany a teacher's lesson and put them into an attractive video. Now, with a slight upgrade that requires a small payment Animoto does allow users to make videos as long as they'd like, so you are not restricted to the 30 second video length that is simply their introductory, free video application. Some of my very own Animoto videos will proceed this blog to show the variety available to users.
    A very similar web tool we have learned how to use through the course of this semester is on the website known as Voicethread.com. This tool takes the effectiveness of PowerPoint and ups the ante by allowing you to record your voice to the presentation, as well as allows for others to post their own vocalized comments to your presentation. You can use this tool and draw on the pictures in the presentation, you can add videos, and all of it can be accessed from any computer with Internet. This gives you the possibility of creating an online lesson for students to watch whenever is best for them, specifically when they have missed class for various reasons. Like the Animotos, I will insert in this post one of my own Voicethread creations. http://voicethread.com/share/1979883/
    Upon entering this course, I thought I had a lot of knowledge with computers and the Internet. I had grown up using the Internet for research as well as recreational purposes. However, I had only used a Macbook very sparingly in this time. This computers are revolutionary and one of my favorite things about them is you can take screen shots. That is, you can use the command "Command-Shift-4" (pushing them down simultaneously) and take a picture of anything that is open on your desktop. It is an incredibly useful tool because you are no longer limited to right-clicking, pasting and/or saving a picture for future use but instead take what you want when you want right off the web. I stress that you still MUST give credit for where you take the pictures from. Also, accompanied with this blog post will be a recording of this very blog in a recorded format! This can only be down with Mac's new operating system Snow Leopard, and I believe this will pave the way for all following operating systems. Every computer should have this and its influence is apparent in just how easy it is to use.