Blogging+Digital Audio= Podcasting

When I was investigating how to Podcast and different places to Podcast I came across a site that showed me how it works, http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/basics/podcasting.htm. This site was very helpful for me because I have never listened to or even made my own Podcast. A quote from this site that really intrigued me was,  

"Log on to one of several podcast sites on the Web, and you can download content ranging from music to philosophy to sports. Podcasting combines the freedom of blogging with digital audio technology to create an almost endless supply of content."

The site informed me that Podcasting came from a combination of two words, IPod and Broadcasting. It is a common held belief that you need an actual IPod to access and listen to Podcasts. This is not true. You can listen to them directly on your computer, any media player, and any IPod device. Anyone can access Podcast at any time if you download them on to any of these devices. It is not something that you have to tune into. That is the nice thing about them, you can relisten to them or listen to it while on the run.  

I never thought about using Podcasting to gather information or keep up to date on news stories but I actually downloaded some the other day for myself and while I was at the gym listened to it. I was getting a workout and updating myself on the latest information! I think Podcasts are a great way to get students within your classroom engaged in keeping up on information as well as becoming their own talk show host. There are potentially great things a teacher could do with Podcasting within the classroom.

Glogster

The one chapter that I cannot get out of my head is the Glogster: A Poster-sized look at Student Movie Stars. (pgs45-52) One idea that strikes me about this project is that students can always access it. Instead of constantly carrying projects back and forth, students can have their projects for a life time. I truly wish that some of the poster projects that I did in school I still had; rather age destroyed them or the bus ride home did. Glogster allows students work on computer literacy and conjoins their computer skills that they already have. Integrating technology within the classroom is a huge deal. I never took into account the various opportunities that technology will allow me to do within my room; the possibilities are endless. Glogster ultimately places complete individuality with every student. Their ideas about characters could come alive with it. It would Be priceless and interesting it see what kids could come up with. I think I could do a lot of fun things with Glogster, what do you think?

Social Media and Wayy too much Personal information

In my Young Adult Literature class today we discussed how today everyone places every emotion on their social networking sites. This has allowed for many people to become victims of various kinds of abuse. Cyber bullying, pinpointing targets for abuse, and placing personal information that others can use against you. A woman from the Health Center was in to discuss domestic violence and this was a topic that came up. After class I was on Pinterest and saw this picture -->
For me it is not that people place way to much information about themselves and possibly personal issues they may be having but rather they use social networking sites as a way to flaunt and express every minute of everyday. I am sorry but I do not need to know when you went to the bathroom, how your room is messy, and what you had to eat. From me, social networking is a way for me to see family from over the US, keep in touch with my family/friends at home, and meet people from school. This picture does not apply to the cyber bullying that has integrated itself into our schools (because it has taken a turn for the worse) but rather for all those people who think that I need to hear/read every second of their life. News flash, no one wants to know that you are violently sick with the shits. This post seems to be a little on the rough side, maybe it's my mood, but really I just don't need to hear every second, of everyday, of the 400 friends I have on Facebook!

Pinterest Interest!

Okay, so this post may not be completely educational, but I just would like to discuss Pinterest. This has become the new fab within technology. Is anyone and avid 'Pinterester'? I do not know much about it other than it is a site that people use to find interesting ideas and what not. My sister is all about using this website. I heard that you have to be invited to become a Pinterest user. Is this so? And why? I would love to know more about this website and what all of you think of it. Is there a way we can incorporate a technology such as Pinterest in our classrooms? If so what do you think we could do. This post is for me to hear your thoughts, opinions, and feelings on this new fab. Thanks gals and guys! :)

Technology within the classroom

This morning in my Educational Measurements and Assessment class we had a discussion about technology within the classroom. There were a couple of technologies that were brought up that I had never heard about. The main topic concept that we looked at was Second Life. We discussed how some people have either seen their professors use it in their classrooms, or my actual professor gave us an example how she hosted a conference on this website. She said that people from all of the world attended the lecture. I found that this would be a great tool to use within the classroom. As soon as I was finished with class I went online to see what all the fuss was about. This is a truly interesting website. There is a link that you can follow that shows you how to interact on Second Life. Here it is, http://secondlife.com/whatis/
If you have never seen this site you should really check it out! :)

The class discussion we had on Friday was enlightening to me because I enjoy hearing different peoples perceptions on the reading. Sometimes when I read I take ideas in a different context than what others do. It allows me to become open to other ideas and viewpoints. Some of the technology that the book offered was very new to me.

Technology Experience

     Yesterday evening I started my new job at a YMCA working behind the front desk as well as working with children. From 2:30-5:30 they have an after school program where children from the age of 8-12 come after school and participate in various activities. As 150 children are running around screaming and playing with one another I noticed that most if not all of these children had cell phones. I am not talking normal phones, they had smart phones. Little girls were FaceTiming accessing the internet and calling and texting everyone. I found that this would be an interesting post because it has to deal with technology and how children at very young ages are exposed to it.
     When I was their age I was probably interacting with other kids on a more personal level. When these children are in college it will be very interesting to see the new forms of technology they will be using and how it will become integrated with little children, just like it is now. It brings me to the question, is it hurting or affecting how children interact today and how they develop their social skills? Anyone with answers feel free to help me come to a conclusion about this.
-Nikki D.