iTunes University is a free site that many schools have decided to begin using. Many of the larger universities have already switched to this technology such as Penn State. Their iTunes website is https://itunes.psu.edu/. Here it is possible to select course materials lectures, seminars, athletic updates, and other valuable information related to the University.
As a student, this technology would be very valuable to me. I am not the perfect student and due to events, I have to miss class. With iTunes, the teacher could upload lectures from the class and the student could then download it at home or anywhere that they had access. This way, students would not have to rely on other students to give them notes for the missed class time. Many times when I get information from a student I do not completely understand missed assignments because they cannot explain the instructions that the teacher gave. With iTunes, these difficulties could vanish.
As a teacher, I feel iTunes would be a great way to look up new information for the classroom. I am a history major and there are so many documentaries, and amazing scholars that have so much more knowledge in specific fields. I could assign my students to go home and listen to some of these interviews/documentaries/lectures from others, and then the next day in class we could discuss them. The use of the technology would be a lesson in itself as well. We live in a society today that requires the knowledge of computers. Using iTunes would further any knowledge that they had with technology and they can carry that with them forever. The more people that are taught about the technology that we have the better because they will move on to educate others.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
week 11
iPods are found everywhere these days. They are even popping up in schools and universities everywhere for educational purposes. Foreign language and music lessons are being taught more and more with this device. It's portability and digital content storage make it a great educational tool. Duke University incorporated iPod use for brief descriptions of selected courses. the recording capabilities generated a high level of student and teacher interest and was the most used feature for academic purposes. the academic uses of an iPod at Duke fell into five major categories which include course content dissemination tool, classroom recording tool, field recording tool, study support tool, and file storage and transfer.
The benefits of the iPod are numerous. So many students complain about the number of items they need to bring to class. The iPod reduces the amount of physical materials needed. It also reduces the dependence on lab or library locations and hours. It also enhances the support for individual learning preferences and needs. Even though the iPod has many advantages there are still some barriers. Two of these barriers are that some recordings aren't sufficient quality for use in some academic contexts and many teachers and students lack the knowledge of iPod functionality.
http://cit.duke.edu/pdf/reports/ipod_initiative_04_05.pdf
The benefits of the iPod are numerous. So many students complain about the number of items they need to bring to class. The iPod reduces the amount of physical materials needed. It also reduces the dependence on lab or library locations and hours. It also enhances the support for individual learning preferences and needs. Even though the iPod has many advantages there are still some barriers. Two of these barriers are that some recordings aren't sufficient quality for use in some academic contexts and many teachers and students lack the knowledge of iPod functionality.
http://cit.duke.edu/pdf/reports/ipod_initiative_04_05.pdf
Week 10
Dr. Alice Christie is retired but has given much to the education family. Part of her website is devoted to research online. Today researching online is almost mandatory. I know that I am on the computer constantly. This is a difficult task considering I don't have Internet access at my home. However, when it comes to research with a computer, it can be tough. there are so many sites that appear to be educational, but aren't. many children will choose to use google and simply use the first item that pops up. This site may or may not give correct information.
Dr. Christie's site gives an end to this problem because she list many educational sites,(such as Encarta, Awesome Library Encyclopedia etc..) which students can rely on. This is important to me as an educator because now I have a list of acceptable references that my future students can rely on.
Dr. Christie's site gives an end to this problem because she list many educational sites,(such as Encarta, Awesome Library Encyclopedia etc..) which students can rely on. This is important to me as an educator because now I have a list of acceptable references that my future students can rely on.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Week 9
I am 22 years old, and I have been in school since I was 4 without any breaks. So, I have written many papers. Most of those papers were research papers. Reliable sources were a requirement in order to receive a good grade. My teachers were always sure to let us know that Wikipedia was not allowed to be one of our sources. I never knew why. I simply did as I was told, and stayed away from it. Now I know why. I was shocked to find out that anyone can edit the material that is found on this website. Much of it has been proven edited as well. Big companies have had a hand in this. If there is a posted article that reflects them negatively then they simply go in and change it. More than that, companies have completely deleted it all together. Or, perhaps a company has gone in and changed something about their opponent to make them look bad. Every time someone edits this website, they leave a digital fingerprint that can lead right back to the computer where the change was made. However, it is simple to simply walk to any Internet cafe, and make the change there.
If any information on Wikipedia can be changed, then I feel that none of its information can be trusted. Now I know why none of my teachers wanted this site used. Sure, there is most likely information that hasn't been tampered with, but would you want your students to come across the one article that is going to give them biased and incorrect information? Absolutely not.
If any information on Wikipedia can be changed, then I feel that none of its information can be trusted. Now I know why none of my teachers wanted this site used. Sure, there is most likely information that hasn't been tampered with, but would you want your students to come across the one article that is going to give them biased and incorrect information? Absolutely not.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Week 8
I chose to look at the best blog from May titled “Customer Service”. First, I am a server and I am really good at my job. I strive to do my best not only because I make more money, but also because I truly care about my customer’s needs. I agree with the writer when he said that people have become accustomed to “okay” or “bad” service. Not to brag or anything, but maybe that is why I get so many complements from my customers.
I have never thought of students as customers before. Now, it makes a lot of sense. They are there and you have a job, as a teacher, to give them what they need. I’m not saying the customer is always right. There are some who are impossible to please. So what are you supposed to do? Give-up? If you said give up then you’re in the wrong profession and need a new job. You’re not supposed to give up. You do whatever you can to help your customer get to the place they want. This, in my opinion, is how every teacher should feel about their students.
I have never thought of students as customers before. Now, it makes a lot of sense. They are there and you have a job, as a teacher, to give them what they need. I’m not saying the customer is always right. There are some who are impossible to please. So what are you supposed to do? Give-up? If you said give up then you’re in the wrong profession and need a new job. You’re not supposed to give up. You do whatever you can to help your customer get to the place they want. This, in my opinion, is how every teacher should feel about their students.
Week 7
I will have to admit that my computer course can be a pain. If I don’t understand something right away I get frustrated just like I always have with math. Luckily, I am going to be a history teacher, and I am done with math forever (I hope). However, technology is something I will never get away from. The Fischbowl man is correct when he says that being technologically illiterate is the same as not being able to read and write.
When it comes down to it there are certain things you must know how to do in order to teach. What if you began teaching a class without ever learning about organization? Your classroom would most likely be a mess. Technology can help with organization, and is also an amazing teaching tool. Power points and smart boards are being used more and more everyday. ACCESS is growing in popularity in our country as well. It requires technology to use if and therefore teachers must have the knowledge to make this tool effective.
When it comes down to it there are certain things you must know how to do in order to teach. What if you began teaching a class without ever learning about organization? Your classroom would most likely be a mess. Technology can help with organization, and is also an amazing teaching tool. Power points and smart boards are being used more and more everyday. ACCESS is growing in popularity in our country as well. It requires technology to use if and therefore teachers must have the knowledge to make this tool effective.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Week 6
This blog is from a class of year four and five students from Nelson, New Zealand. They are using their blog to communicate with other people from around the would. They even include a map. When people come to their site, this map shows the class where they are from in the world. Students can click on this map and learn more about where the reader was from.
Kahurangi has a class blog in New Zealand as well. This class actually attends the same school as the one above. They include a map which shows where onlookers come from as well as Moturoa's blog. This blog is also used to inform readers about what the class is doing. It explains their activities and has many pictures of the kids performing their activities.
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