Virtual Classrooms

http://wiki.media-culture.org.au/index.php/E-Learning_-_The_Virtual_Classroom

The virtual classroom allows for flexibility, convenience, and different methods of learning. As with most things there are pros and cons to the virtual classroom. The three main pros for students taking, or who are considering, a virtual class are time, money, and access. Money and time are saved by not having to travel to a campus, and if you are anywhere with Internet access you can log into your class. This is a great pro for those who have physical disabilities, full time jobs or transportation issues. It's also a diverse class in that students who live anywhere in the world can enroll which can offer up some interesting views during discussions. Pros for teachers include the flexibility of it all. They aren't tied to a desk or office to conduct or organize their class. It also allows for a more in-depth and thorough response to any student questions, concerns or feedback.
The main disadvantage of the virtual classroom is the lack of face to face, teacher-student interaction. There are a lot of humanistic elements that are left out that some students require in order to have a successful and fulfilling experience. As far as technology goes, a student who is hearing impaired is at an extreme disadvantage when there is streaming audio. If a student does not have a computer with high bandwidth and adequate memory they are at a disadvantage for the course. If there is an Internet failure or similar problem this may hinder the student from completing a task.
Virtual classrooms may be the answer for some, others may stick to the more traditional way of school. Either way, good or bad, it is nice that we live in a day and age where we have these choices. I admit that I don't know too much about it, but for the hearing impaired it would be a good idea for a closed caption option in the course. Don't know if they have that already or not.

Streaming Video

Streaming video is a new way to deliver information to your students with the click of a button. Enhancing the educational experience by taking the 'dull' out of the lesson students can watch instant video on whatever topic they are learning about by playing media from a web link.
Streaming video is a sequence of "moving images" that are sent in compressed form over the Internet and displayed by the viewer as they arrive. Streaming media is streaming video with sound. The media is sent in a continuous stream and is played as it arrives. The user needs a player, which is a special program that uncompresses and sends video data to the display and audio data to speakers.
A few great benefits to streaming video are that most players are free and the videos can be seen anywhere there is an Internet connection, there are tons of video and audio collections easily accessible, students can not share the video illegally, and best of all the content is always current and up to date.
One downside is that with all the information out there the problem of determining what is relevant content arises.
This could be a great tool to integrate into lessons because it makes the content more interesting and alive. I think the students would be more apt to getting 'into' the lesson and be able to store information longer.

www.techlearning.com/showArticle.php?articleID=196605182

Podcasting

www.apple.com/education/digitalauthoring/podcastin.html


Podcasts are video or audio files that are automatically delivered over a network and then played back on an ipod, Mac, or PC. You can subscribe to them or download them.
In the education world they can be used in projects by the students and teachers. If the student is absent they can get the lesson via a podcast. Teachers can deliver content to students, information to and from administration, distribute homework, and even create lessons. A narravtive of a book can be recorded and listened to while reading along or just by itself if the book(s) is unavailable. Parents can even get in on the act by downloading podcasts to keep them informed of class activities, assignments, or any other bit of information.
While all this technology is good, efficient and amazing the downside is always the lost human touch. If we get used to hearing a narrative of lessons, or books, what will happen to the reading and writing skills? Writing the traditional letter is almost a lost art.

Multimedia

Using multimedia resources in any subject can be beneficial. The article I read used this technology in the subject of science.
Using multimedia resources stimulate different senses and grabs the interest of the learner right away. As we already know, there are many different learning styles. Using multimedia stimulates visual, audio and critical thinking as well as a fun way for students to interact with the lesson.
The author suggested that for science the best way to use multimedia was to set up learning centers. With Internet access, students can watch short videos about what they are learning. But because this can take some time, it is suggested to have the websites bookmarked for quick and easy access.
I think the use of multimedia has great advantages and can be a great teacher tool to reach the different learning styles. One disadvantage would be to those students who don't have computers at home so that they may continue on their own, or investigate a similar concept.

www.teachingtechnology.suite101.com

Digital Imagery

While there are many ways to use digital imagery the article I read focused on video. Because of the availability of free video editing software it makes incoporating this type of technology into your curriculum easier. The cost of digital cameras and digital video recorders have come down and so finding the devise that best suits your classroom needs is easier and more affordable.
There are many project possibilities for using video production: a video scrapbook, electronic student portfolio, tutorials and storyboarding.
The article lays out three keys to success that every teacher who uses this technology should heed. Expectations, Assessment and Managing group responsibilites. Don't have the bar raised too high, make sure you have a rubric and make sure that, if working in groups, each student has a job.
Some pros to using this as part of your curriculum is that you don't have to be a computer genius. There are lots of web sites that have pictures and graphics the students can use. There are also lots of free software to use as well. Another pro is that students who may not have access to this type of technology at home is exposed to it at school.

Another web site I found listed many more ideas for using digital imagery in the classroom. Here are a few examples: school newspaper, take photos on field trips to aid in writing about them later, observe weather over a period of time and demonstrate PE exercises.

Some cons may be the time it would take to work on some of these projects. If the teacher or student aren't fluid or even very familiar with working with digital imagery (other than perhaps taking a picture using a digital camera) then putting something together may be a lengthy process. So time would be a major factor in lesson planning.

www.teachingk-8.com
www.geocities.com

Storyboarding

Storyboarding is nothing new. It's used by the television and movie industry to depict the sequence of a scene, and educators are getting in on the action! Teachers are finding creative ways to assess comprehension of a lesson by having their students use storyboarding to illustrate main ideas and reflect on specific content. It's a task both fun and educational.

Students are able to combine their interpretation of that lesson and present it in mixed media format. The benefits for using storyboarding are numerous! Students can exercise memory skills, improve lateral thinking and problem solving skills, and develop their teamwork skills by working in groups. Storyboarding also helps to build self confidence and the skills needed for speaking in front of a group.

I would use storyboards in my class if the lesson allowed. I think it's a fun way to learn something and a great way to engage the students in the lesson. I believe that by using this fun technique the possibility for better understanding and actual learning is more present. I'm not quite sure how I would improve it seeing as how it's a basic cartoon style technique. I suppose a way to put it into life would be to take those storyboards and make a power point presentation out of it. I think the kids would get a kick out of that. They could make their own movie based on what they got out of the lesson.


www.storyboardtoys.com/curriculum.htm
www.education-world.com/a_curr/voice/voice131.shtml

Wiki

Wiki, Hawaiian for 'fast', is a page or collection of pages on the web that are designed so that the reader(s) can modify the content. A written community effort for what ever that topic may be. Anyone who access the wiki page has the ability to edit the information with add-on's or corrections (we hope) without having to use special programs or software.

Wiki's are making their way into the classrooms now, too. Some teachers find that they are a useful tool for students to work collaboratively with other students as well as teachers. Students can use wikis for journal work, on-going class projects, surveys, or track progress of projects.

I have my reservations about using wikis in my classroom. I think it's something that I could use for somethings, but not for research purposes. I don't trust them enough as far as facts are concerned. Even the founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, discourages the use of his site to students because the information shouldn't be trusted as 100% fact.

www.wikipedia.ord/wiki/Wiki
www.chronicle.com/wiredcampus/article/1328/wikipedia-founder-discourages-academics