Within the section of iTunes U (which can be found by accessing the iTunes Store), the provider WGBH has included several video pertaining to grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. These videos range from understanding the importance coral reefs have within the nature of their existence (especially in terms of energy flow and the survival of many different species of plants and animals), to learning about how blood vessels help tumors to grow (this subject pertains to the recognizing of young people that cancer and blood vessels are not just mere topics of interest concerning the subject of science, the information related to these topics are of great importance in helping to prolong human life).
Podcasting videos such as these are great tools for teachers. For one, teachers can access such tools through their computers - rather than wait for (or sign out for) ancient forms of technology - such as film projectors, VCRs, DVD players, and televisions (taking a chance on whether they actually work or not). They can also be accessed (by both the teacher and the student) from just about anywhere. This type of access allows for better retention - instead of making the lesson an afterthought, students can actually retain the information within the videos (they can view them as many times as needed). This is especially important in terms of assigning/completing outside assignments and research.
Furthermore, these videos allow students and teachers to see the information found in their textbooks in a new way - through highly detailed sounds, pictures, and explanations. Rather than teach and learn from a one-dimensional standpoint, these videos allow both teachers and students to experience learning from many dimensions. This is especially important when considering the "future" of education. Most of the students today can connect better with media and tools made applicable by the advancements of educational technologies - as well as better appreciate the lessons and subjects for which they are encouraged to learn.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
2 Podcasts: The Road Between a "Village" and a "Schoolyard'
In the podcast "The Edible Schoolyard", teachers and students use a "garden" as a way of better understanding history, science, math, and life lessons (sharing, working as a team, etc). The learning environment is set up as a "hands on" laboratory - allowing teachers to teach and explain things to students in ways that students can apply to their everyday lives. This, in turn, gives students the motivation and ability to think and learn in a more applicable way.
In the podcast "A Night In the Global Village", teachers and students learn about poverty, by experiencing it first hand (a kind of "sustainable development" lab). The students are split into different groups with limited resources (each group had a different resource - such as water, firewood, and food). For a period of 24 hours, these students must learn to what it is like to survive in poverty stricken conditions, without the conveniences of of electricity or heat (which are often times taken for granted by those who can afford them). Students also learn teamwork (such as "effective bargaining"), as well as valuable life-lessons that only experiences can teach.
As a future teacher, such labs can prove useful in demonstrating skills, lessons, and experiences - many of which cannot be taught out of a textbook. Both of these labs provide a model alternative to what is normally being taught to students in classrooms worldwide. Educational labs such as these also provide students with the chance to open up toward education - seeing it as a way of connecting educational objectives with real-life experiences.
These types of labs can also strengthen the bond between the teacher and the students. Such lessons in education are results of "shared" educational experiences (between the teacher and his/her students), which can help to familiarize students with practical application, as well as give teachers and educators a more endearing role in the eyes of their students - the role of a "mentor". Rather than focus on prolonging the longevity of the traditional "separatist" form of classroom teaching, I feel that both of these podcasts demonstrate to a world -wide audience that education and life are not meant to be divided - especially when taking into consideration all of the ways in which one complements the other.
In the podcast "A Night In the Global Village", teachers and students learn about poverty, by experiencing it first hand (a kind of "sustainable development" lab). The students are split into different groups with limited resources (each group had a different resource - such as water, firewood, and food). For a period of 24 hours, these students must learn to what it is like to survive in poverty stricken conditions, without the conveniences of of electricity or heat (which are often times taken for granted by those who can afford them). Students also learn teamwork (such as "effective bargaining"), as well as valuable life-lessons that only experiences can teach.
As a future teacher, such labs can prove useful in demonstrating skills, lessons, and experiences - many of which cannot be taught out of a textbook. Both of these labs provide a model alternative to what is normally being taught to students in classrooms worldwide. Educational labs such as these also provide students with the chance to open up toward education - seeing it as a way of connecting educational objectives with real-life experiences.
These types of labs can also strengthen the bond between the teacher and the students. Such lessons in education are results of "shared" educational experiences (between the teacher and his/her students), which can help to familiarize students with practical application, as well as give teachers and educators a more endearing role in the eyes of their students - the role of a "mentor". Rather than focus on prolonging the longevity of the traditional "separatist" form of classroom teaching, I feel that both of these podcasts demonstrate to a world -wide audience that education and life are not meant to be divided - especially when taking into consideration all of the ways in which one complements the other.
iTunes University
According to Apple (http://www.apple.com/education/mobile-learning/) :
iTunes U, part of the iTunes Store, is possibly the world’s greatest collection of free educational media available to students, teachers, and lifelong learners. With over 100,000 educational audio and video files available, iTunes U* has quickly become the engine for the mobile learning movement. It puts the power of the iTunes Store in the hands of qualifying universities so they can distribute their educational media to their students or to the world.
iTunes University provides students and teachers with instant access to plethora of educational information (including lectures, videos and audio content). Given the ability to access educational information anywhere (at any time), students and teachers can expand their knowledge of a multitude of various educational subjects, without having to work around research facility hours - in virtually any setting. iTunes U can be accessed by anyone (including those with disabilities). Much of the information that can be found on iTunes U comes from leading universities and insitutions that support higher learning.
In my future as a teacher, I will utilize iTunes University to punctuate and expound on various subject matter being taught in my classroom. I will also use it to better illustrate certain points or ideas that may be of some complexity (in terms of classroom discussion). As a student, I will use iTunes U as a research tool - as well as a vehicle for gaining a better understanding of certain course objectives.
iTunes U, part of the iTunes Store, is possibly the world’s greatest collection of free educational media available to students, teachers, and lifelong learners. With over 100,000 educational audio and video files available, iTunes U* has quickly become the engine for the mobile learning movement. It puts the power of the iTunes Store in the hands of qualifying universities so they can distribute their educational media to their students or to the world.
iTunes University provides students and teachers with instant access to plethora of educational information (including lectures, videos and audio content). Given the ability to access educational information anywhere (at any time), students and teachers can expand their knowledge of a multitude of various educational subjects, without having to work around research facility hours - in virtually any setting. iTunes U can be accessed by anyone (including those with disabilities). Much of the information that can be found on iTunes U comes from leading universities and insitutions that support higher learning.
In my future as a teacher, I will utilize iTunes University to punctuate and expound on various subject matter being taught in my classroom. I will also use it to better illustrate certain points or ideas that may be of some complexity (in terms of classroom discussion). As a student, I will use iTunes U as a research tool - as well as a vehicle for gaining a better understanding of certain course objectives.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
iPods Used In Educational Instruction
After searching the web for "suggestions and experiences in using iPods in instruction", I came upon a site that mentions several different educational intitutions using iPods to help teachers and students bridge the gap between education and online media-based technology. Not only does the site list examples of different intitutions applying this practice, it also shows several specific uses for the iPod device in an educational environment (to include podcasts and audiobooks).
A few of the examples include schools such as Escondido Union District schools and Louisa-Muscatine Elementary School - both of which use iPods to aid in test taking. Other schools implement the iPod device into their curriculum by way of educational video and podcasts (Wells Elementary School and The Lincoln Interactive School). iPod technology is also being used by students at a university level. At the University of Michigan, dentistry students are learning through the use of audio files. At Duke University, students use iPods to learn economics, foreign language, and engineering. The site, known as T4 Jordan School District: Transforming Teaching Through Technology, can be found at http://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/t4/content/view/212/37/
A few of the examples include schools such as Escondido Union District schools and Louisa-Muscatine Elementary School - both of which use iPods to aid in test taking. Other schools implement the iPod device into their curriculum by way of educational video and podcasts (Wells Elementary School and The Lincoln Interactive School). iPod technology is also being used by students at a university level. At the University of Michigan, dentistry students are learning through the use of audio files. At Duke University, students use iPods to learn economics, foreign language, and engineering. The site, known as T4 Jordan School District: Transforming Teaching Through Technology, can be found at http://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/t4/content/view/212/37/
Dr. Christie's Site
After roaming around on Dr. Alice Christie's website (alicechristie.org), I found something that peaked my interest. That "something" is called: Dr. Christie's Guide for Web Searching and Researching. In this section of her site, teachers and students can utilize internet tools to help gather information - as well as learn about using interactive web-based technology. The section includes various search engines, subject directories, and online researching resources (including databases and encyclopedias).
As a teacher, I would use this section to better educate my students (as well as myself) on how to use the web to collect data, cite sources, and become a more confident/competent internet browser. From a future teacher's standpoint, I feel that Dr. Christie's site is a definite asset in the movement to unite teachers, students and technology.
As a teacher, I would use this section to better educate my students (as well as myself) on how to use the web to collect data, cite sources, and become a more confident/competent internet browser. From a future teacher's standpoint, I feel that Dr. Christie's site is a definite asset in the movement to unite teachers, students and technology.
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