As you can see from my earlier postings I have explored and posted attempts at Glogster, uploading my own video to YouTube and embedding it onto my Blog, and JING / Screencast. I have also been actively exploring the links to videos shared with us by our professor, including the Science in Plain English series of videos as well as Mrs. Kolberts student work. The After Chernobyl example of a Voice Thread was a particularly intriguing example of interesting content shared in an interesting and interactive way. I never knew such a digital thing existed before this week.
I am certainly a bit overwhelmed with all of my new knowledge - but glad that I can have a place to 'download' a little here on my blog. The next step is looking at my curriculum and finding ways that will enhancing my students experience with the content. I fear that creating my own content will take up a lot of my 'free' time, but I assume things will go more smoothly with practice. I fear that my students will get too absorbed into the technology and forget about the main purpose of the content. Again, I suppose this will diminish with increased exposure to these tools, and clear guidelines provided. I can only imagine the funny, creative, fresh pieces of work my students will come up with when given the tools to do so. With my 4 new flip cameras, set 12 new net books, and wireless internet in my room next year - I have NO excuse to ignore what I have learned here.
7 comments:
You are doing a much better job than I am at committing your thoughts about this course to your blog. I'm really impressed. I'll go back and check out your Jing in a little while, because I'm thinking it might be a useful tool, but right now I'm just overwhelmed. Keep up the great posts!
I can totally relate to your fears regarding your students becoming "too absorbed in the technology and forgetting about the main purpose of the content". I am living proof of that fear being a reality! I have found myself on many occasions playing with these tools and having so much fun with the bells and whistles, and then looking up at a clock and realizing that 2 or so hours have passed by! It's crazy! I agree with you, though, that with increased exposure the initial awe will wear off a bit and students will ultimately utilize these tools to create some pretty amazing projects. I am so excited to see what they will be able to come up with! On a totally selfish note, I am also excited what these new web-tool incorporated projects will do for my grading. There is so much monotony in grading lab reports and homework problem sets. I think this will be more fun and fresh for all!
I also agree with the fears of getting "too absorbed in the technology and forgetting about the main purpose of the content". I am also living proof, in that I love playng with color combinations and clicking every link to see what will happen next. It's a good thing I am only taking one course this summer! How cool that you have those tools for your classroom, and wireless internet too - Can I come to your class??
Thanks for the comments guys and gals - Dalton - YES on the fresh grading aspect with our newly acquired tools and skills - my most un-favorite part of teaching! Nancy - you can come and chill in Boise with me anytime. ;)
I third that...I am another one who enjoys choosing the pretty background and matching font colors. Maybe you could show the students an example of what they will be doing, then have them complete all the research necessary for their project (to make sure they gather all their information before they get caught up in design), then give them a window of time to design. Just a thought.
There's a lot of good stuff in this post and comments. I am interested in seeing how grading can be improved-enlivened with these tools. I'm also thinking it might be easier for students to self-assess and peer-assess using these more creative tools. I'm also with you on the biggest fear of getting too engrossed. Thankfully my temperament (ADHD?) won't allow me to stay on the computer too long, but I could totally see how students could while a period away trying to focus more on appearance than content. I'm thinking Glogster will be a great tool, but as homework primarily. It seems that it will be engaging enough for students to want to do outside of class, and this may encourage them "glogging" more, which will eventually make the process faster for them.
T Whoops!!,
Looks like I should read first, then blog1! web video links...
awesome.
DAD
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