PodCasting

I went into this assignment with some knowledge of pod casting but soon found out how little that knowledge was.  I have not used pod casting but can clearly see how very useful it could be in the class room. I have a daughter who is slightly dyslectic which makes reading a chore. I can see where using a pod cast could be a great help to a student who struggles with reading. So many students who are very bright can struggle just because they read slow. I can also see where using pod casting could eliminated the confusion about a home work assignment. The teacher could use it to clearly state what is need and how an assignment can be accomplished. I can think of some cool ways to engage students by having them hunt down a pod cast that reflects their own interests. The only downfall I see is policing what they are listening to, but policing and keeping students on track is all part of the job.

Pod casting is similar and yet different from other web 2.0 applications. The both allow the student easy access to information but pod casting seems a little more specific when it comes to information. Plus it is a no brainer upload to your device.

I will be purchasing an Ipod in the near future and will most definatly use pod casts. I can also see using them in my classroom to futher engage and help my students.

References:

Jonassen, D.,Howland, J., Marra, R., & Crismond, D. (2008) Meaningful Learning with Technology (3rd ed.) Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.

response

I agree that these sites are useful, but they should be used at home and monitored by parents. Many school districts have very strict rules regarding how teachers can use the Internet in the classroom. Teachers have been fired for not understanding district policy. So I guess what my point really is that if you used such sites in the classroom it would first require an ok from your district and second would have to be very closely monitored by us - the teacher.

Wikis, social bookmarking and the class room

I do believe that wikis and blogs are incredibly useful tools but I am unsure of how useful they are in the classroom. Because these sites are open to editing by everyone I feel this can only increase the amount of false information that is presented as fact. Blogs might be an interesting way to engage a student to write but again I can see how this could be misused by both the student writer and those reading it. I have been informed also that school districts are starting to have some very strict rules with regards to teachers using such sites. So I am unsure as to how much if any I will use these resources.
I am a big fan of bookmarking and find it very helpful but have not used social bookmarking. I can see how social booking marking could help keep your class on the same page. You could also use it to direct your students to information that could be useful to a lesson. It could serve as a great extension of what you are teaching in the classroom.
I have used tapped in but, in all honesty, I find it to be somewhat confusing and not well laid out. It is, for me, a case of way to much information and not enough time or patients to track down what I am interested in. I belong to a couple of other teacher networks that I find more helpful.

References:

Jonassen, DJ, Howland, JH, Marra, RM, & Crismond, DC (2008). Meaningful Learning with Technology. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson.