Testing, Testing, Sound Test!!!!

Have you ever heard of the term Pod-cast? If you haven't or you were like me and heard it but never knew what it was then this post is just for you. A pod-cast is a type of media that is used to create audio files that are available for download via the internet. It can be considered downloadable radio and can be available at later time for listening at a more convenient time. The great part about podcasting is that it is amateur radio and anybody can to do it. That brings us to using pocasting in our classrooms.  

Podcasts are so beneficial and there are many uses in the classroom. Podcasting is useful for recording a teacher’s lesson or a student conversation. It can be used to create a homework assignment or even be part of a test. (Students in Tom's class would listen to and anlyze historical speeches and readings.) Students can use podcasts to interview each other about what they learned during the week. They can create a newscast, hold a debate, or run a radio show. Schools can use podcasts to make announcements via their Web site. Students could read their own essays or stories. Podcasts can also be used to record guest speakers and make their presentations available online.

I think that podcasting taps into the creativity of both the students and the teachers as it is a creative way of expression. As I explore the world of podcasting on my own, I hope that you will do the same and try it out in your own classrooms!!!

Blogging Away, while soaring through the clouds!!!

As the 5 week mark approached and then faded into the past, with it has come a whole new perspective of using technology in the classroom and even as an enhancer to daily life. I now have the title of blogger under my belt and am definitely proud of it. In week 5 as a class my colleagues and I explored the use of dropbox and Google drive as alternates to storage and word processing software.

The whole blogging experience for me is not one that is entirely new as I have used blogs before for publishing my poetry. The difference from my past experiences and this one is that I have the task of keeping you my readers up to date as I explore. This is helping me to keep track of the important stuff so that I am able to look back and easily see where I was and where I am going. It also makes me responsible for myself and the work I produce. I have also been given the task of working along with my colleagues and checking up on them and having them keep track of what I'm doing. The collaboration in my opinion helps us to get into the habit of using the blog and this in turn will give us an idea of what it will be like in our own classes at the end of this learning experience. I have included a sample of some comments made by colleagues just as an example of what can be done to facilitate student centred teaching and learning through support from classmates.

If you have never explored using dropbox as an office tool then this is your time to start. If you are wondering what dropbox is, then you are in luck. Dropbox is a storage device that allows access to all of the files that you save on your computer, android enabled device or even your smart phone. With its use, you no longer have to worry about your device crashing as you can access information stored in dropbox from any device with an internet connection. That is definitely something that anybody can use. Dropbox stores your important information in the clouds as it were and you no longer have to worry about losing anything ever again. Google drive on the the other hand allows you to create word documents, power point presentations and spreadsheets and all you need is a Google account and everything is available at your finger tips.

Now can you imagine my excitement at finding all this out? I am no longer constrained to just Microsoft office suite and I don't have to panic at the thought that any of my devices will crash. I GOT BACK UP!!!!
I continue to explore on my own and I have forged ahead with using both Google drive and dropbox. They have both made my journey in technology both easier and more dependable. All these aspects have tied nicely together and continue to help me in my blogging.