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.