Podcasting!!

The first thing I learned about podcasting is what it actually is. It gives access for anyone to become a sole producer and distributor of audio and/or video content that can be offered worldwide through the internet. So basically it’s an audio file that is saved as an mp3 file and made available for whomever on the internet. Podcasting can be used in the classroom in a few different aspects. It can be used for students to make their own broadcasts, recording personal messages to learn about each other, digital storytelling, creating and sharing music, and many other ways as well.

            Podcasting is similar in some ways to other apps we have previously discussed. Obviously they are all the same in ways that we can use most of the apps in a school setting and they will offer some sort of benefit. Podcasting is a little different in such a way that it deals with the audio and video side to things. You could link a podcast and say a blog and use them together.  Different uses but they are all very similar.

            I do own a type of MP3 player and the way I use it is by downloading songs off my computer and loading them to play on my player. I would definitely consider using this in the classroom. I know I will need to read a little more on different ways I would use it and how to use it the most effectively. I do think there are advantages and disadvantages to online communication tools. Advantages would be, better ways for kids to collaborate, make good decisions before hand, interact with other people that you may not have had the chance to, thinking outside the box and just doing something different. I think the only disadvantages to this would be if a teacher were not knowledgeable enough in showing how to do these things as well as knowing all the different ways online communications tools can be used.

Citation:


Jonassen, DJ, Howland, JH, Marra, RM, & Crismond, DC (2008). Meaningful Learning with Technology. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson.
Inline Citation -- (Perlman, 2002)

Wikis,Social Bookmarking, and VoiceThread

 The whole idea of using a wiki is a little much for me. I think that the concept behind them are great in some instances but really I dont see that I would be that interested in using or constructing one. The idea that I like is that kids can really brainstorm and be creative in putting a bunch of different ideas together in a program but the thing that im skeptical of is that everyone can see the material and post on it and you never know what is true and accurate so I wouldnt necessarily want my students reading stuff that might not be true or correct. I think blogs would be fun. I can definitely see myself teaching my students first how to build a blog and from then on making them do certain research assignments and posting on their blogs.. It would be fun.. Of course this would be for high school level. I would need to learn a little bit more about wikis before really deciding if I would use them or not.

Socialbookmarking is a good idea for teachers and students. Being able to access certain sites that you can set up as a personal link is a great idea. These bookmarking websites can help users store and organize bookmarks to online resources. You can also access your bookmarks from any computer which is great! Voice threads are pretty neat. I think I would definitely be interested in using voice thread if I was teaching high school students. I think you would need to have the older students to really be able to understand the whole process. Voice thread would just be something new to add to the curriculum that would make things different and fun.

I think Tapped In is a wonderful idea. I think the way it engages teachers from all around to kind of work together and get information and ideas from each other is a great idea. It is a way that teachers can become part of communities, knowledge building, and of learners.(Meaningful Learning with Technology) There are so many great things that Tapped In can offer; its endless. I have not explored it but from what I have read in the book, it seems like something I would be very interested in.

Reference: 1995-2010
Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R., & Crismond, D. (2008). Meaningful Learning with Technology (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.SRI International. http://tappedin.org/tappedin/web/about.jsp