PODCASTING

I learned that podcasting is an audio recording that is saved as an MP3 file and made available on the Internet through RSS. (Crismond, Howland, Jonassen Marra pg. 160).  I really have had no experience with podcasting until this chapter.  I have heard my teenage daughters talking about podcasting and how they use it for music with their I Pods.  I believe it could be used in the classroom as an additional source for students to revisit classroom lectures for a review or absences.  This chapter has given me somewhat of an idea about podcasting, but I believe I would definitely need more information to utilize it myself.

Podcasting is similar to other Web 2.0 applications in that it reaches out to a large and varied audience and allows its creator to express their creative and artistic views without repercussions of others opposing views.  Podcasting is different to other Web 2.0 applications in that it does not require the user to remain online to utilize it.  The user can load the information to another device and retrieve it when they wish.

I do own an iPod and use it most every day to listen to music.  I know how to perform all the basics of loading the music and listening to the music.  Well, I also know how to create my own song lists.  One benefit I have enjoyed about my iPod is that through the use of blue tooth audio in my truck, I can listen to the music from my iPod through my truck speakers.  If I am going on a road trip, I can make a playlist and not have to worry about commercials.  I have heard of my daughter’s teachers using their iPods in the classroom and see no problem with it.  I believe it would be a resource that might be enlisted in a sort of privilege system withing the classroom.

Wikis, Blogs, Social Bookmarking and Learning Communities

Wikis and blogs have been a new concept to me until entering this class.  Both wikis and blogs appear to be very similar in that they both allow a person to edit and change content via the use of the internet.  Wikis also allows you to choose the content in which you edit and change.  I believe I would allow my students to utilize wikis and blogs as a sort of learning tool with social skills while at the same time they are brainstorming.  If I do use wikis or blogs within the classroom, I will definitely demand strict rules for the exchange of information and monitor the use for the classroom.  I do feel for older student’s wikis and blogs could prove to teach social networking skills.

Social bookmarking could easily serve as an educational tool and I can see myself utilizing it to build a reference of easily accessible material for students to generate report information.  I might also use social bookmarking to help my students learn about copyright laws and fair use.  I do not believe I would find a strong use for voice thread, but could possibly incorporate it into a lesson as a supplement just to make sure my students are aware of the uses of voice threading.

I have no previous experience with tapped in other than what I have read in the text, but I do feel it has some positive possibilities in the classroom.  Learning can be enhanced by the sharing of information by students with other students or teachers and other teachers.  Tapped in reminds me of our physical community but on the web, whereas people learn from the ideas and examples of those they are surrounded by (hence the community) and learn from and gain strength from those whom of which they share their ideas and experiences.

Meaningful Learning With Technology--Jonassen, D., Howland J., Marra, R.M. & Crismond, D. (2008). Pearson, Merrill/Prentice Hall, 3rd edition.

http://www.mlearning.wikispaces.com/advantages

Technology Based Assessments

The text describes assessment as “the process of gathering and analyzing data to determine if intended learning outcomes have been achieved (Jonassen, 2008, p. 220).”  Assessment activities should focus on the primary goal of better understanding your students' learning and to improve your teaching.  Teaching should be intended to improve the students’ knowledge not their grades.  If the knowledge is gained upon daily then the grades will follow suit. Assessment activities, such as technology based assessments are described to support complex learning outcomes because it allows the teacher the ability to assess outcomes in a multiple of ways as opposed to a single means of assessment.

An e-portfolio is a variety of electronic resources combined and managed by a user to demonstrate a multitude of skills.  E-portfolios allow the user to compile information over an open ended amount of time and the flexibility to give and receive feedback from their peers and instructors.  Feedback is a great tool for learning and improving one’s current skill set.  E-portfolios allow for interaction among individuals or groups regardless of logistics (of course within the resources of an internet signal).  Computer based tests (CBT) is a way of administering tests in which the responses are electronically recorded, assessed, or both.  There are many websites available to teachers to monitor their student’s progress which can be turned into knowledge that creates more constructive teaching methods. Computer based tests can impact the validity and reliability of its outcome if the assessments are poorly constructed.  CBT’s, when well structured in response and response choices as illustrated by the text can produce complex learning outcomes (Jonassen, 2008, p. 236). 

Every week I learn more and more about technology and the amazing resources that are available to educators.  The e portfolio is a great tool for any subject and I am excited about the possibilities it will offer me as an educator and the students I introduce it to.  Blogging, on the other hand, seems to be more of a challenge for me.  I do, however, appreciate the opportunity it offers students to place their thoughts, opinions and ideas in their own words.  It seems to be a very non-threatening way to assess the student’s sills.

Jonassen, D. (2008). Meaningful learning with technology (pp. 218, 220). Upper Saddle, NJ: Pearson