Jing and Ether Pad inside the Classroom

Web based applications has become a growing trend within our new culture of learners. As a result, it is an essential that educators stay informed about the multitude of web applications that is available. On September 23, our professor, introduces the class to two new web application Jing and Ether Pad. I found both programs to be very educational and I was able to picture how each application could enhance educational curriculum. For instance, Jing offers a free version of online commutation tool that allows individuals to collaborate on projects, or take snap shots of image, which they can than share with others. Students or educators can also use Jing as a way to give feedback on assignments. Jing can also be used to create how to videos or demonstration videos, which also allows individuals to connect to other social network site. Our professor recently used Jing’s web application to send video feed on an assignment. Using Jing was a unique and creative way to giving corrective criticism compared to traditional ways of grading papers that can take up a lot of time.

Ether Pad was the second web based application that we learned about in class. Ether Pad is a web based word processor that allows individuals to collaborate in real time on the same page. Ether Pad can be useful in the educational environment because teachers can have students work on group assignment allowing each student to have a different color. Students can use Ether Pad to do interactive chat, take notes or the teacher can use it as a message board. Below is a link to a web site called Ideas to Inspire, this websites list 5 ways teachers can use Ether Pad in the classroom www.ideastoinspire.co.uk/primarypad.htm Another important feature of Ether Pad is that it is free and no download is required.

When you think of video, real time, and collaboration the possibilities become unlimited. The new material intrigued me, so I wanted to expand my learning on web-based collaboration tools and I discovery that there is numerous web-based application. The link below has a list of collaborative tools that can be useful in the educational environment. The web site is called cooltoolsforschools - Collaborative Tools
cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/Collaborative+Tools　
　
　
　
　

Fairy Tales And The Benefits Of Video

Benefits of using video as a learning aid in the classroom, gives 21-century teachers advantage over traditional classroom teaching. Learning how to use the Google power point presentation for the Fairy Tale project we did in class was amazing. Incorporating power point in the classroom similar to the Fairy Tale project can be very effective in helping students learn. Reading and reciting nursery rhymes was one aspect of learning, but including pictures into a power point presentation enhance the assignment. The Fairy Tale assignment was not only fun it was interactive; using power point in the assignment made the lessons fun and memorable. Research’s say if you simply tell students some facts, three days later they will remember only 10% of what you said, If you tell them and show them three days later, they will remember 65% of what you said ( Gamble & Gamble, 1998). Multi media projects such as the Fairy Tale and the video assignment done using Animoto made the “lessons come to life”. No two students learn the same way, so it is important to be able to reach every student individual needs. Intergrating video projects into the lesson plan supports all learners, because it involves reading, writing, visual animation, music and dialogue. Video learning can be used as a re teaching method to reach students struggling with the concepts taught. Video usage involves sight and sound which makes it a good aid for students who are auditory or visual learners.

Video taps into emotions, which stimulate and captivate students, it also provides an innovative and effective means for educators to address the curricular concepts.

Imagine a classroom where students can hear the cry of a nearly extinct species, see the colors, and hear the sounds of animals that thrive only in a remote wilderness half way around the globe. Envision teaching with the voices of the past by introducing young learners to great historians, political figures and famous people who lived centuries ago. Imagine conveying the laws of motion, sound and energy transfer by viewing the launch of the space shuttle on a journey into outer space. Think about how much easier it would be to understand the diverse cultures of people who live in other areas of the world; if you could encounter them in their own environments hearing their songs, observing their rituals or listening to their silence. Inclusion of video aids into the teaching curriculum provides another sensory experience that allows concepts to actually be experienced and come to life while you guide your students on each adventure.

I think growing popularity of video projects is perfect for students, because it allows them to experience active learning. Adding a visual component to the lesson plan will help students gain the most out of a lesson. By providing students the opportunity to make a connection with the material begin taught will achieve a deeper understanding. Video inclusion into the classroom is a good tool to use to help students retain information.
I came across a great video slide show on You Tube, called a Race To The Top: Passive or Active Learning. I had a difficult time trying to upload the video directly to the blog, however I was able to add the link, so if you click on the link it will take you to the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1XQMqcuPYo

                                                                       Work Cited
　
　
"Advantages of Using the Video Camera in the Classroom | EHow.com." EHow | How To Do Just About Everything! | How To Videos & Articles. Web. 18 Sept. 2010.
Gamble, Teri Kwal., and Michael Gamble. Public Speaking in the Age of Diversity. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1998. Print.

http://www.ehow.com/about_4842258_advantages-using-video-camera-classroom.html.

Benefits Of Online Collaboration In The Classroom

I found that the use of online collaboration with Google Docs and Poll Everywhere, very engaging. I believe that emerging technology into the classroom encourage educators to rethink elements of traditional classroom teaching. According to a recent study teachers who use technology frequently in their classrooms perceive greater benefits to student learning--particularly learning 21st century skills--than teachers who are less frequent users (thejournal.com). Online collaboration allows students the opportunity to share thoughts, and interact with peers. For example, Google Docs is an easy-to-use online word processor, spreadsheet and presentation editor that enables students to create, store and share instantly while collaborating online in real time. The benefit of Google Docs enables multiple people in different locations to collaborate simultaneously on the same doc from any computer with Internet access. For example, students working on a project together, can write a document, keep track of their work in a spreadsheet, create a presentation and a drawing to share with other people involved in the project. Students are also able to make changes to the document, spreadsheet, or drawing in real time where the others students can see them.

Poll Everywhere another online collaboration tool, was also very interguing. Poll Everywhere (http://www.polleverywhere.com) is a service that allows groups of individuals to vote within user-generated polls using a mobile phone’s text messaging capability or a simple web form. Increase

In text, messaging has become a primary communication tool among many students. With the poll everywhere, site educators now have the availability to include online quizzes and surveys through text messaging.

Google docs and Poll Everywhere can be beneficial to both teachers and students. Inclusion of collaboration technology tools into the classroom would enhance teaching and learning. An online collaborative learning environment will promote active learning through student interaction, critical thinking skills, creativity, and discovery. Research has shown that engaging students in the learning process is an important step in promoting deep and lasting learning. I think using technology to foster collaboration among students, would have positive effect on students achievement.

Shift Happens

Does technology help or hurt the lives of society? Watching the “Shift Happens” video makes me question? In a cultural that relies heavily on technology, it is not difficult to find differing opinions.


Many people argue that technology helps to improve our standard of living by making our lives more pleasant and comfortable. Technology has changed our lives in ways that are too numerous to count. Over the past decade, technology has had an enormous impact on society. Technology allows us to do extraordinary things such as work and play more efficiently. We can get limitless amount of information in an instant and communicate through elaborate online social networks. Technology is changing rapidly, what use to have a 10 year lifespan is obsolete in less than a year. According to the “Shift Happens” video, the amount of new technical information is doubling every 2 years. For example the number of years it took to reach a market audience of 50 million has change significantly, according to “Shift Happens” it took Radio 38 years, TV 13 years Internet 4 years, I pod 3 years, and Face book 2 years.

Rapid change in technology is also evident in our education system. American students continue to fall when compared to those in other countries. 50 years ago Americans ranked first in the world with the number of young adults who had a high school diploma or a college degree. However today “the 25% of India’s population with the highest IQ’s… is greater than the total population of the United States” according to the video “Shift Happens”. I personally find that statement to be astonishing, and question rather techno gadgets has helped America’s youth.

Despite some peoples beliefs I think the new epidemic of techno gadgets has become an addiction to society. A good example is the amount of cell phone texting, according to the Shift Happen video, the number of text message exceeds the total population of the planet. Online social networks also have enormous impact on society, the number of register users on My Space and Face Book is over 200 hundred million. From young to old technology has affect society in every way, from daily living to being entertain technology plays a big role in our life. According to “Shift Happens” the # 1 ranked country in Broadband Internet penetration is Bermuda, United States rank # 19 and Japan rank # 22. As global expansion of technology becomes more imperative for everyday life society is force to question, rather technology is a blessing or a curse.

My First Day in Class

First Day in Class

I am already blogging now