Podcasts & Vidcasts

What? So this week we learned about Podcasts and Vidcasts. A Podcast is a tool that allows you to hear something through a computer, ipod, etc. A Vidcast is another tool that allows you to see something through a computer, camera, etc. So to show we know how to use these tools we must teach something through the use of a Podcast or a Vidcast.

So What? In class we talked about why a Vidcast or a Podcast might be useful as teachers. We came up with a lot of ideas. Really you could probably use either to teach something but using one on a certain topic might be better than the other. For example, say I want to teach the proper way to crack an egg. It would be easier for a student to see it than listen to it. Another example might be teaching a language might be easier through a Podcast. I know I use podcasts in my language class. I think this technology is extremely useful. If I want to see how something is done I can look it up on youtube.

Now What? As a teacher I can use these tools to better myself and make these easier on my students. For example, say I need to take a sick day but I still want my students to get an assignment done. I can simply make a Podcast which would be faster and easier for me and let my students know what they need to be doing. My students can also use these tools. They can use a vidcast to show me and the class that they understand the concept by creating a video. I never thought about using these simply tools that I use daily to incorporate them into my class. I think by my example my colleagues can see what that is better to teach a students something several different ways so that they can understand it because everybody learns differently. I really want to be the best teacher I can be. I know that I feel I didn't get a good foundation in a lot of subjects like math because they teachers were explaining it in a way I didn't understand. This way I know I get the concept out because they can see it, hear it, do it.

Video Reflection
It was on why should we let our students blog. The video suggested to teach communication, literacy, ownership, sharing, collaboration, discussion, empowerment, interaction, motivation, participation, engagement, excitement, conversation, creativity, reflection, to extend the walls of the classroom, to give students a 'voice' and a 'audience', to students a learning environment that is open 24/7, to give them skills useful for their digital futures. Basically it if we think our students can write to learn, they can blog to learn. To see this video go to: http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=838&title=Why_Let_our_Students_Blog_