Emerging Technologies

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Listen what Lesley University students have to say

Lesley University Masters Program

I just completed a Masters at Lesley University. Listen to my Podcast about my experiences. I think you'll see why Lesley just might be the program for you.
http://camruns.podomatic.com/entry/eg/2007-02-04T09_36_35-08_00

Thursday, February 1, 2007

Podcasting in the Classroom

Podcasting in the Classroom by Brian Flanagan

I enjoyed reading about the Duke University podcasting initiative. I love listening to audio books on my IPOD. In addition, I have recorded presentations I have attended so that I can listen back to certain parts for clearer understanding. However, I had not thought of some of the ideas like “Sound Seeing.” Giving a tour by podcast is a great idea and an exciting way to get kids sharing information in a way they understand and enjoy. Podcasting makes it easy to share lectures and other material therefore giving access to everyone who can listen to audio and helping to bridge the divide between those who have typically had access to various types of lectures and information and those who have not. Conducting interviews and field research is so much easier with this tool. I am excited about the possibilities. I can attest to the fact that this technology can and does make a difference. I have a six year old who did not want to write a story. He could think of nothing to write. Each day was a fight over getting something down on the paper. I had an idea. I let him tell his story to the IPOD. He easily came up with a story idea and recorded it. Then, he listened back to the story and wrote it on paper. Can technology make a difference? You bet. I look forward to seeing what innovative learning experiences come from this emerging technology tool.

Bridging the Gap

“Bridging the Gap” Strategies for creating Equitable Learning Opportunities

By Don Hall

I read with interest this article on Bridging the Gap. I just returned from the National Teacher of the Year conference in Dallas, and equity was on the minds of all who attended. I like the idea of providing “learning opportunities.’ The district mentioned in the article had a number of innovative ideas. Providing grants for students to be able to use older equipment seems to be one fairly simple way of moving towards equity. Students managed all aspects of the program. The district also partnered with local community groups and provided equipment to the community centers and apartment complexes while supporting it with technology department resources. I know we send our old equipment to salvage giving all of the common reasons for it being too difficult to share these older resources with the community. However, I believe with strong partnerships, lessons learned from those who have tried these methods, and some hard work, there are ways to bridge the divide and provide these learning opportunities for all. Bringing the parents in for training, providing child care, and offering off-site locations are ideas that make sense and are doable. I believe more districts need to look at ways to take the steps toward bridging the gap. I plan to share this article with our district leaders and hope we will take positive steps to start some initiatives that will make a difference.

Keeping Up with Emerging Technology

It is not easy to keep up with emerging technology. I do it in a number of ways. Much like Anita McAnear in her article, "Keeping Up with Emerging Technology" I use a variety of sources to keep current. She mentioned a number of ways she keeps updated. I was excited to see a link to an e-mail newsletter that I do not currently receive. I plan to sign up. I already visit Kathy Shrock's site as well. Other ways I keep up include my subscription to Bloglines, being a part of the Edtech listserv, spending a few hours each week exploring the Web 2.0 directory, visiting Alan November's site and listening to some his online webcasts. In addition, I enjoy reading Technology and Learning magazine, the Journal, and Edutopia--all of which are FREE! I also listen to speakers whenever I get a chance. Ian Jukes has a great presentation where he highlights emerging technologies. Another person who has good information is Gary Marx from the Center for Public Outreach. I also like the idea of having students do the research and share knowledge as the "experts." I enjoyed it when our graduate class shared information in this way. It is definitely hard to keep up but I love the subject so much that I keep trying! If only we had more than 24 hours a day! :)

What does emerging technology mean to me?

What does emerging technology mean to me and how does in impact my personal and professional life?

Emerging technologies are exciting to me. It seems that every day there are new technologies becoming available. The most exciting thing about them is that most of them are offered free! I try to stay on top of the latest available technologies but it is not an easy task. I've set up a wiki, blog, and podcast, but even with the ease of setup and editing, it is hard to keep them current. I tend to use the new technologies for both personal and professional communication. I find that many teachers and students will be more motivated to learn a new technology when it can be used for personal tasks. Then, the new skills are easily used for classroom tasks.

I recently stumbled upon Scrabblogging. This involved an online digital scrapbook with comments built in just like a blog. I first set one up for my family to try it out. Next, I had 3rd grade students use it to share what they are learning through this new technology. They quickly picked it up and have enjoyed producing content in this way. Once we open the scrapblogs for comments, it will be even more engaging.

As for wikis, I find it amazing and powerful that we can all be contributors and editors for the web. I use Wikipedia many times to get information. Recently, I found that it was accurate and updated for something that had happened only hours before. How powerful to have reference material that is available almost in real time. Not only that, but material that I or my students can edit. We have a pilot classroom technology project in our district. We currently use a free service called Wikispaces to collaborate and document the project's progress. I subscribe and receive any changes made through e-mail. I always know when a page has been updated without having to revisit the page. I feel that this technology, RSS feeds and more are an unbelievably easy way to stay current and connected.

Just last week I found so many ways to make professional looking slideshows for free I could hardly try them all. I mad a few with Bubbleshare and with Pickle and then found a free Flash Slideshow maker I could use without having to post my pictures online. This was a safer way to handle student photos. Again, this technology is useful both at home and at school. It is motivating to try these new technologies first at home and then find uses at school but sometimes it does work the other way.

As for other technologies like PDA's, I don't know how I lived without them. My Palm contains my address book, calendar, to do list, important documents and so much more. I call it my "brain" since it has so much information I would be unable to recall as quickly without it. Other portable devices like my IPOD allow me to listen to the latest audio books anywhere I go, helping me to keep up with the latest information. In addition, I can download podcasts from all over the world. I've used a new service called GCast with my students and parents. This free service allows podcasting by telephone. I have high school students, parents, and even grandmothers recording books for our ESL students to listen to online or download to CD. This activity proves that emerging technologies don't have to be difficult but can be so valuable in sharing learning in new ways.

What is the bottom line? Though overwhelming, emerging technologies excite me and my students. I use them in both my personal and professional life. I can't wait to find and try the latest technologies and find ways that these technologies will help my students and me learn and share learning in newer and better ways. I can't wait to learn more in this Emerging Technologies course.