Lecture to me Podcast style!!!!

OH WOW!! I see soooo much potential here. I would love to set up podcasts of lectures for students. Most of my students would rather watch a lecture on their own time if needed and use class to do more group or individual learning activities. The traditional lecture in many places is gradually being replaced by technology applications such as the podcasts. However, it is that tradition that is preventing many professors from making changes. We are in a comfort zone with it and fearful of something new or there are always those who just don’t want to learn to do something new.

If I could wave my magic wand I would have all my lectures on podcasts so that I could spend more time applying material in the classroom with activities. I would have students do group and individual projects with the use of podcasts. I really like changing my techniques and methods when it comes to incorporating technology. By having my lectures on podcasts not only would it allow me to use class time more effectively but I can also have an opportunity to get to know my students better. Instead of standing in front of them lecturing I can go from group to group during an activity and get to know them better. Now that would make me a happy camper!!! J

WEB 2.0 MADNESS!!

I tend to have lots of lists of things and sticky notes laying around everywhere and putting everything on a wiki of some sort might be a better idea. I really like the idea of using them for classes. A place where students can share notes can add to the learning experience in the classroom. I have a rather large group of friends from high school and college that like to get together periodically for trips and get togethers. A wiki would be a great central location to plan a trip and a get together. Right now we are still ancient and using email and text messages. I think it is time we step up to better Web 2.0 technology!!

I am absolutely overwhelmed with the number of Web 2.0 technologies that are available. I want to try them all!!!! The problem is I start one and then decide to try another and another and never really stick with one technology. My method to madness has its pros and cons. I have stuck with only one social networking site. I only Facebook. I don’t Twitter!! I have already used Jing and love it. Works great for instructional videos. I have a few students who have told me I am a technology genius by making a video on how to include a link on their discussion postings and some other ones that I did for class. I will let them keep thinking that for now!! J If I get asked “How do I ____________” more than two or three times I will just make a Jing video and upload it to the course management system for all students to watch and use if needed. I am especially eager to try Skype and would someday like to incorporate that as a requirement in my online classes for meetings.

I chose the importance of learner motivation and fostering motivation to focus on. If the students are not motivated to be in class and learn then nothing is accomplished. The job of the teacher should be to find ways to get the students activated and motivated in the learning. The first place to start is by understanding our ideas of what learning means and identifying what strategies we are using and whether or not the strategies or effective.

Portfolio assessment is a fabulous idea particularly when we are getting into the technology generation of students. They would much rather put together their work in an electronic format and send in that type up, punch holes in paper, bind it in a notebook and turn it in. By starting an electronic portfolio early on they are already on their way to creating wonderful resumes for the future.

Creating my own portfolio will give me something to share with students as an example, something to show my department head and colleagues (to show off my skills J) and serve as a constant reminder of where I have been, what I am doing and the endless possibilities of where I can go with my technology knowledge.

Mapping and reviewing and critically examining

I was amazed with the mapping activity. I will most definitely be searching differently. The main thing I will do differently is really pay attention to links within the website. I have always paid attention to things like .com, .edu, and .net. However, some of these may not be as reliable as I thought. I am always searching the internet for new ideas and information to use in my classes I teach. Looking back at what I have done in the past, I definitely need to be more thorough when investigating the sites I find.

If we do not teach these skills to students then they will think everything they find is true. Although Wikipedia has improved I still have students who try to use it as the “Golden Book” of knowledge. WOW. Students may learn about important topics incorrectly or from very biased points of view.

Delicious has great potential for someone like me. I just cleaned out my favorite’s folder of website the other day. I was amazed at the number of folders and sites I had created just in the past year or two. My system of organization is not working well and I can see the benefits to using Delicious/Google Reader. The drawback is simply just learning a new technique and system of saving websites. Best thing to do is just dive right on in and learn it.