Podcast Reflection #12

The podcast started with Maria Knee sharing her experiences at EduCon 2.2, and the goals of learner-centered, constructivist education that are the centerpiece of that conference. Then they go on talking about how computer labs are often being used and how it fits in with their classroom goals. The bad and ugly about computer labs is that they are being used for test prep; and almost exclusively for Accelerated Reader quizing.Then they discussed the good practices of computer labs which were, having students create content by having small group projects with some students while the other students work independently. They also discussed how teacher can use different tools for different goals and activities, the lab, classroom computers, and IWBs.

Podcast Reflection #11

In this podcast Wesley Fryer shares different techniques on how to save online videos from websites like Youtube and Vimeo, to your local computer’s hard drive. This is skill is important for teachers who wish to integrate online videos in their classroom since schools usually block websites such as, Youtube and Vimeo by content filters. In this podcast he explains how to use the software MPEG Streamclip to convert downloaded FLV (Flash format) files into other formats which play in media players like QuickTime and Windows Media Player. He also explains how to use MPEG Streamclip to "trim" video clips into shorter versions, which can then be exported and shared in class with students. I found MPEG Sreamclip useful because many times I have come across good videos I have wanted to use for classroom presentations, but I’ve had to search for a different (shorter) one. Now I know I can always use MPEG Streamclip to trim videos.

Podcast Reflection #10

In this podcast Anna and Helen share their experience at ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) in Denver, Colorado. They also share different links and resources that teachers can incorporate in their lessons or pass down to their students. Most of them are FREE, however my favorite one is the Toddler Timer and it cost 99 cents. This timer consist of four different timers which are:


1.The Quiet timer: if you put a child in time out or if you tell the class we are not going to recess until everyone has been quiet for five minutes… you start the timer and it starts counting down. If you’re too loud the timer STOPS counting down. The louder you are the longer the time is.

2.The slow timer: you can control the countdown speed. You can set it for ten minutes but if the kids are acting up you can slow it back down where you can make a second last a little bit longer OR vice versa, if the class is being good you can speed up the timer and make a second last a half of second.

3.The sharing timer: Use it between a group (2-6 kids) of kids that are sharing something (slide, toy, station..etc). Set the timer, Each child is represented by a little animal so when you start the timer the little animal pops up in the middle of the screen to let them know how much time they have left. THEN once they have run out of time it goes to the next animal to let them know its there turn. It eliminate the whole “you’ve been taking to long…”. Everyone has the same amount of time.

4.Activity timer: You can set it for seconds. Most timers are set for minutes. You have the options to do a voice countdown too.

Podcast Reflection #9

Teachers of our youngest students are often left behind when trying to implement new technologies into their curriculum. They may receive the “hand-me-down” equipment and issues related to teaching the youngest classrooms are not addressed through in-service. This presentation demonstrates 3 web 2.0 tools that are ideal for transforming learning to students in the early grades: Voicethread, Dipity and Blogging.
In my tech class we have tried both Voicethread and Blogger and I believe this are really great resources.  Usually teachers have kids journal and what better way than to do it online and teach them about technology.