Reflection: Week 11

What?

This week in class we discussed podcasts, vidcasts, and videos. We learned how easy it is to make podcasts and vidcasts, and brainstormed ideas of how to use this technology in our own classrooms. We also learned how to rip music and videos from youtube or Teacher Tube using specific websites. Next week, our video that we ripped and made into an mp4 is to be posted on our Google Classroom Website, but our podcast and vidcast are not due until the following week.

So What?

I love learning how easy it is to use computer technology. Before this class started, I never imagined how simple, easy, and fun it would be to create technological projects on the computer. The activity I am most excited about this week is podcasts. In health, I know I could use podcasts for many activities like relaxation techniques, exercise ideas, safety tips, and record positive self-talk/ways to increase self-esteem. Both my students and I would enjoy working with these recordings.

Learning about podcasts helps me today as a student because I have realized that almost any topic I could ever imagine has a podcast associated with it. Podcasts exist on both entertaining and educational topics. If I want to learn more about healthy relationships, diseases, or study strategies, I know I could find a podcast to help me learn more it. I learn best by interacting with my environment and I feel like podcasts help my mind relax and learn by doing.

Now What?

I know that everything we are learning in this class will help me become a better teacher. The more knowledge and experience I have with technology, the greater advantage I will have with my students because I will get to differentiate my lesson plans. I know that most students enjoy using technology in school and would appreciate my efforts to help them learn through tools like podcasts and vidcasts.

Technology is not going to slow down in this world. The funny thing is, most teachers do not seem to realize this reality. Every time I have completed field experience throughout my courses in the education program, the teachers I have worked with have not been current with technology. Sadly, most of the teachers I have worked with have barely even known how to use the Internet. As a young student eager to teach in middle or high school, I know that learning how to use technology in the classroom will provide me a great advantage. My goal is to get so experienced with technology and the computer that I could even teach my fellow teachers how to use these incredible tools. If technology is used safely and properly, it is a great way to collaborate and communicate with co-workers, students, and parents.

Video Reflection:

This week the video we watched was titled "Why Let our Students Blog?" In middle and high school today, I do not know how many teachers are incorporating blogs into their lesson plans. It seems like it would not be popular for teachers to use blogs often because they are new and many teachers who are intimidated by technology may be nervous to use them. I think blogs are beneficial to use in the classroom. Like the video said, blogs can be used for multiple reasons including to communicate, collaborate, discuss, practice writing skills, and help students feel a sense of ownership, responsibility and empowerment in their life. One of the main reasons I would like to use blogs in my own classroom would be for student reflection. With health as my content area, I think students would benefit by being able to reflect on their actions and analyze the healthiness of their actions and decisions. Blogs are a wonderful new technology and I hope to be able to use them in my classroom someday.