Reflection #6

What?

This week we learned how to make videocast, podcasts, acquiring videos from various sites to use in the curriculum and how we can use National Geographic in the curriculum. In our teams we are going to create a video and a podcast.

So What?

This technology is really neat. In my current classes some of my teachers use podcasts. For some class periods my teacher records the session on her ipod and then links it onto the classroom website. This is great for those who might be home ill or have some circumstance that did not allow them to come to class. Another way I have teachers that uses podcasts is by having us listen to ones made by other people that have to do with the content we are studying. It is really cool because it allows you to listen in on something without being there. It also is cool because you are able to replay it. I find a lot of times that hearing something something once is not enough. Over time I will forget. By having lectures or other important messages on podcasts we as students are able to listen to them again and are able to get clarification on things we might not have understood super well before.

The things we learned in class this week are really cool because they can be applied to many other areas in our life, not just education. If there is anything we are interested in we are likely going to be able to find podcasts, videocasts and videos to learn more about the topic. I especially like Zamzar because it does not require us to download something to convert files. I don't like having to download applications onto my computer very much so I really like Zamzar.

Now What?

I loved the National Geographic site, especially the interactive where you could learn all about the landing on the moon. Students would probably really enjoy exploring sites and things like that. I definitely planning on using these resources in my future classroom. I also think that podcast and all the video tools we learned about will be neat to use in the classroom as well.

Podcasts and the video tools we learned about are really great because they allow us to collaborate with our colleagues. From what I have heard teachers are really busy and put in a lot of work. I am sure that we won't have a time to create tons of videos but if we work with our colleagues I am sure we will be able to share with each other and have a wider variety to work from. I also think that it would be really cool to have guest speakers come to the classroom and create a podcast from it. In that circumstance it would be great to be able to hold on to what messages was delivered. Especially if that person we unable to come in the future, you could have your future classes listen to the podcast. I like learning about all these different tools because it gives us many more options of what we can do as teachers to make the content richer for our students.


Video:

The video was pretty funny. At first I thought it was really a segment done on Letterman but then I realized it wasn't and I felt kind of silly for thinking it was at first. The video showed the top 10 things they don't teach your in college about teaching.

It seemed like most of it was geared toward elementary teachers and I am hoping that is the case! Hopefully I don't have to worry about cleaning up a student's pee! I am sure though some of those things ring true for us secondary teachers too though.