Podcasting

After reviewing the information given about podcasting; I believe this type of technology to be cutting edge, and quite convenient for one to have his/her say so regarding any given topic, at any given time. Accordingly, a podcast can be accessible by subscribing to it, and it can be heard on demand by way of the internet and/or one’s iPod, and other devices such as an MP3 player, and other types of media.  Of course, all one needs in order to produce his/her podcast is a microphone, a video camera, and an internet connection, (Common Craft, 2008). Therefore; podcasts can be easily produced, and can be produced by anyone.  Of course, there are many uses for podcasts, which includes the use of podcasts in the classroom, to be  specific. Accordingly, podcasts can be an alternative to certain assignments such as a newspaper article, or a video project, (Shelley, n.d).  In addition, a podcast can be used for the benefit of students who missed a day of instruction. For instance, a teacher can download his/her daily lecture to the school’s website, and the student will be able to access this information without skipping a beat.

However, when considering the other types of Web 2.0 applications I have learned about; I have noticed a few similarities, and a few differences between them, and podcasting.  For instance, one can use a wiki in order to communicate information, and ideas in a written text format. Of course, this can also be accessed and changed by anyone, as opposed to a podcast which can be accessed by anyone, but cannot be altered.  Next, a blog is a form of personal communication used by anyone who wishes to create a page to list their views, and opinions regarding general thoughts and circumstances and can be commented on by anyone.  However, podcast is a form of communication which one can hear, but cannot read, and cannot be commented on per say.  Then, social bookmarking much like podcasting can be used as a form of communication between people from all walks of life whether he or she is in one state or the other.  However, social bookmarking is a list of websites constructed by text, rather than audio. Finally, voice thread can be used much like a podcast can be used since they both deal with information provided through audio.  However, a voice thread can also contain a picture, and a podcast cannot.

Nevertheless, I currently own an iPod, and I currently use it for music while I am on the treadmill at the gym.  However, an iPod depending on the storage space can be used for more than music.  It can actually be used for the storage of videos, movies, and podcasts.  Therefore, I would definitely implement an iPod in my classroom, as it has the capability of holding educational information retrieved from home for the use of students in my classroom.  However, there are advantages and disadvantages of online communication tools. For instance; an advantage of online communication tools is that most of which are all public domain, and can be accessed by anyone, virtually anywhere.  In addition, it can also create an open line of communication which allows people to connect with each other all around the world.  However, I would assume that there are risks dealing with privacy when considering putting any type of personal information online.  In fact, it would be difficult to monitor or filter who can, and cannot either access and/or change information communicated through the internet.

References:

Common Craft (2008, April 21). Podcasting in Plain English [Video file]. Retrieved from

http://www.commoncraft.com/podcasting

Shelley, N. (n.d). Podcasts in the Classroom. School of the Epiphany Archdiocese of San

Francisco. Retrieved from http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~nshelley/

Web 2.0 - Blogs, Wikis, etc.....

Blogs and Wikis are a very efficient and technologically interactive way for teachers to communicate information to, and with students.  Of course, when considering how I would use wikis and blogs with my students; one must consider that I will be teaching students with special needs who range from mild to severe on a level of disability.  Therefore, my strategies may differ from an educator of children without disability. For instance; blogs and wikis would be used in my class as a tool for communicating with students, as well as communicating with parents, and staff as well.  For instance, I would imagine that I could use a wiki to develop, and explain lesson plans to my students.  Specifically, I could use a wiki when a lesson plan involves basic operations such as vocabulary, (Ledesma, 2009).  In essence, I could make a list of vocabulary words to be used for that week, or weeks, and adjust these words according to the student’s success in learning them, and so forth.  In addition, I could use a blog in order to communicate with staff and parents by giving somewhat of a weekly newsletter that could be seen by a parent, and the necessary persons involved with areas such as ARD meetings, and so on.  This information will give insight to the parents and the staff, which will allow both to provide feedback as to how they believe their child is doing, or feedback regarding what the school can do to improve the student’s success in my classroom.

On the other hand, I believe that social bookmarking is an exceptional way for educators to communicate ideas with each other, and I think that this method of collecting my favorite websites would be beneficial for my students, and I.  To illustrate, special education teachers from my experience have been few, and far between.  Therefore, sharing ideas and particular instructional strategies would be a daunting task for a special education teacher as opposed to a general education teacher because of the limit of special education teachers in our current school system.  Nevertheless, I believe social bookmarking would be beneficial for special education teachers in general, as we are able to share ideas, and educational practices, and exercises without necessarily having to speak to each other in the same room, building, or city, (Jackson, 2009).  In essence, this method would benefit our students while giving them variety when teaching practices are concerned and possible success when dealing with certain subjects.  Of course, voice thread is an instructional strategy used in education as well.   In fact, I do plan to use voice thread with my students.  Of course, the voice threads may be from me while I am describing pictures, telling stories, or sounding out words.  However, I could also engage my students by allowing them to do the same, and give them a chance to hear their own personal reactions to each picture, story, or word. 

However, students in a special education setting are often somewhat isolated from many other students like them in the sense that most schools have a special education setting of perhaps no more than 6-10 children in their class at all times.  Therefore, although I have not studied or researched into it much; I believe Tapped In is an exceptional way for my students who are able, to communicate with other students who perhaps have the same disability as they do, or who have other disabilities in other areas of the city, country or world for that matter.  In addition, tapped in is also an exceptional way for special education teachers to share, or communicate their areas of thought and/or concern when considering exceptional students, ( Jonassen, Howland, Marra, and Crismond, 2008). Of course, this also gives teachers a way to communicate in real-time as well as opposed to having to wait until a teacher answers an e-mail, has a planning period, or any other time for that matter.  In essence, the textbook has taught me that Tapped in is a social network for teachers from all areas of the educational and world spectrum to come together in order to improve, and learn several areas of educational procedures, and planning in order to ensure that all educators know that they are not alone, and that there is a community and people out there willing to help whenever possible. 

References:

Jackson, L. (2009). Sites to See: Social Bookmarking. Education World. Retrieved from

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/sites/sites080.shtml

Jonassen, D., Howland, J., & Marra, R. M., Crismond, D., (2008). Meaningful Learning With Technology (3rd ed.). Upper

Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Ledesma, P. (2009). NECC 2009 Presentation: Strategies for Using Blogs and....... Word Press. Retrieved

from http://edtechbytes.com/?cat=9

Learning Assessments

When one’s education is taken into consideration; it is important to use assessment activities which vary in style in order to evaluate one’s progression in learning, by gathering particular data determine whether one’s expected outcome has been met, (Jonnasen, Howland, Marra, Crismond, 2008).  Accordingly, I believe assessment activities can be used to generate feedback that can improve learner performance by taking the student’s strengths and weaknesses, and developing a style of teaching and helpful information that would allow a student to thrive in a particular subject, (Connelly, n.d).

On the other hand, an e-portfolio is a collection of a student’s work and/or accomplishments in the area of education that can be found in digital, graphic, sound, and writing sample formats, which will allow for one to get an in depth idea as to how much a student has grown to learn from a particular area of education, (Jonnasen, Howland, Marra, Crismond, 2008). In essence, this type of virtual presentation will allow for teachers to be able to measure the quality of a student’s work, while determining whether he/she has met the requirements of the curriculum. In addition, this type of presentation can assist a student with feedback not only to improve his/her knowledge of the subject, but to improve one’s assessments in general.  Furthermore, computer bases tests are used an efficient way of grading by allowing a student to access questions via their computer while having the opportunity to answer them as well.  In addition, a form of computer based testing can occur by way of a scantron which is filled in with a pencil, and scanned in order to grade the particular test, which both make it easy and quick for students to retrieve their scores in a timely manner, (Jonnasen, Howland, Marra, Crismond, 2008) However, computer based tests do impact validity, and reliability as every subject is different, and perhaps multiple choice questions are not always the way to go.  For instance, if a child is asked to complete a computer based test based on his writing ability; one might find this type of test to be unreliable, (Holder, Gibson).  However, if one is trying to conduct a test of core knowledge; then this type of test may be valid.

Nevertheless, it does not matter what type of assessment one uses whether it be for student and/or teacher purposes; the type of format and information for which each assessment uses should be accommodated so that it fits the particular area, scope of students, and reliability in order to ensure that one obtains the feedback responsible for the improvement of a student’s learning ability and overall educational success within any given area of education.   For instance, no one assessment should be used to measure a student’s level of success as they all vary in subject matter.  However, one should determine which tests are appropriate for what a teacher and/or student is trying to gain from the information gathered.  In essence, all tests are not created equal, and one should consider the benefits and limitations of each in order to carefully determine which assessments are appropriate for each student, or a class as a whole.  On the other hand, an e-portfolio is an exceptional way for a student to put what he/she has learning in written format while transferring his/her mental knowledge of the subject to a format in which one is able to view and evaluate his/her comprehension.  Moreover, assessments are necessary, and should be used as much as possible in the classroom, and at home.

References:

Connelly, Dr. J.F. (n.d.). Assessment. www.ied.edu.hk. Retrieved from

http://engres.ied.edu.hk/assessment/onlineReading/embpolicy.html

Holder, S.D., Gibson, R., Ph.D (n.d.). Electronic Versus Paper-Based Testing in

Education. aitp.org. Retrieved from

http://www.aitp.org/isedj/isecon/2000/902/ISECON.2000.holder.pdf

Jonassen, D., Howland, J., & Marra, R. M., Crismond,D., (2008). Meaningful Learning With Technology

(3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson-Merrill Prentice Hall.