Week 4 Readings

"Going  beyond Pencils and Books" highlighted several observations about technology in the classroom that I have noticed in my courses as well. First, technology can reach students who normally might disengage in typical school activities. Through a grant, I received a SMARTBoard in my classroom last year. My students loved that we had to learn about it together. Many of my students - particularly the quieter ones - would come into class early so they could set the pen colors, or help orient the board. As I have learned more about this technology, I have been able to structure class time so all students interact with the board - which also requires that they interact with the math. Students who would normally never volunteer are excited to show off their skills on the SMARTBoard. 

The article also talks about using multimedia to jumpstart a lesson. This, too, has been a powerful tool to hook kids on a math concept that perhaps wasn't as interesting in previous courses. I can have interactive logic problems, or short videos (like from BrainPop) at the start of the lesson to grab their attention . . . and usually it will last. 

The article "Internet2 and Libraries" was eye-opening for me. I was unaware - or perhaps have never really considered - the limitations of the Internet as it is. Perhaps that is because it usually does what I want it to . . . usually. But in reading about some of the  opportunities that are coming . . . WOW!! Video-conferencing with classrooms around the nation - even around the world - would be amazing. I know our school has struggled with online learning, and how much is appropriate/acceptable for high school students. This technology - and the speed/dependability it offers - could really allow us to provide high quality online learning experiences for our K-12 students. 

"Every kid a Publisher" was also interesting . . . and this is something our language arts department is trying to implement. E-matter and its willingness to publish anything, however, opens possibilities to all subjects. At the end of the article, they talk about the problems of cheating - buying term papers and such - and this certainly needs consideration. It requires teachers to think about what they really value from students . . . and how best to assess it. 

Articles in the News on Technology and Education

I thought I would start a post on articles that we run across that have to do with technology and education. This may be more appropriate for 661 but since many are taking both and everyone on here has some interest in technology I thought I would post some that I run across.

This one appeared in yesterday's NY Times.

Students Click, and a Quiz Becomes a Game

Digital Story Telling???

This is twist on the whole digital story telling idea. Used this with my 8th grade class and they loved it.

http://www.timhawkins.net/video-audio.htm

The video "Cleetus Take the Reel" is the video my 8th graders liked.

Weekly Blogging

I was waiting for someone to comment but it never happened so here goes!

Yes, you are supposed to blog for each week. Typically the first person to begin the discussion on that week's reading will create the new section (thread) and give it the name of the week -- such as Week 3 Readings (which people did pretty well this past time). Everyone else clicks on that thread and adds their comments. This keeps the weeks readings grouped together. Week 3 persons did this well. So I am hoping people are beginning to get the hang of blogging.

I will not grade so much on content as these are opinion pieces. However, I will check to see if everyone blogged each week! So if you are behind in getting this done -- you are losing points!

Dr. Franklin

Week 3 Reading

I thought the "Gen Y Goes to College" experiment was awesome. How great would it be to have been one of the teachers or even one of the Gen Y kids in the experiment? Both groups must have learned so much.

Reading the article, it sounded like a great success. The collaborative atmosphere really impressed me. The teachers learned about incorporating multimedia into their teaching but were also reminded what it is like to be a student. The students learned how to “coach” and not just do it for the teachers. What a great experience for everyone involved.

Audio

In Movie Maker there is only one audio track so yes, render the movie and then add it to a new project and add audio. However, I can tell you this is can be a very frustrating process which is why most people use a more sophisticated software like Premiere Elements so that you can have 2 or more audio tracks.

Dr. Franklin

Submitting Storyboard

Yes, you have done this correctly.

Dr. Franklin