Podcast/Vidcast/Why students should blog

This week we learned how to set up pod cast and vid cast. This is a new element for me because I have only listened and watched these casts. I did not have the slightest clue as to what would be needed to set something like this up or have any kind of technology to produce it. I soon learned that there are a couple of technological tools I have used to help me produce them. I have an IPOD, I sort of know how to put things on it and I also have a basic knowledge of tracking and using garage band. I do not however know how to create a vid cast but I recently bought a camera that implied it would download straight to YouTube. We will see how well that goes.

I think this type of technology is great! I think it really will create an easier, fun way for students to check in with their teachers and the current happenings in the classroom. Not only would the technologies be good for instructions in their class but great for teachers to pass information on to their administration and other teachers in their school about what is going on in their class and instruction on how to do it in another classroom.

I can see myself using these technologies in my classroom for students to reference when at home if they are unsure of what is expected for their assignments or if they were absent that day. I also think I would be a good way for other teachers to reference my lesson and see hands on what is needed to teach to their students. I think it would be a great and easy way to pass information and see or hear exact instruction on information.


Why let our students blog? reflection:
I think the video was great and true. We should allow students to blog because it develops literacy, communication, empowerment, encouragement, reflection, and a basic knowledge of learning and social skills. Students can own something for themselves and share/communicate to others their feeling, thoughts, reflections on school, personal or environmental effects on their world. They also can collaborate with other students to create projects and assignments. It is a good thing as along as you can keep it structure and introduce to students what is appropriate for the internet and what should be kept in their at home journals.