YouTube...Google Video...TeacherTube...

Question 1: What concerns do you have as an instructor with YouTube and Google Videos?

• As an instructor, my main concern is that YouTube and Google Videos are often inappropriate for students to be viewing.  Also, even when the correct video is pulled up advertisements for other videos can be seen and it isn't possible to know what image will be seen. 

Question2: What is your thought about TeacherTube?

• I really liked TeacherTube.  I liked that a video can be flagged and removed if inappropriate for students.  TeacherTube is geared toward the teaching community and contains not only helpful videos but also documents and audio for lessons.

 Do you see the value of it? 

• I do see the value in TeacherTube.  It would be helpful to use in lessons and lesson planning.  I can see myself using it to offer a visual during lessons.  TeacherTube would be valuable to use with students who are visual learners.

How would you integrate TeacherTube in your teaching?

• I would integrate TeacherTube by using the video clips after a lesson introduction, during a lesson to emphasize a point, or in the conclusion of a lesson to reinforce learning.  The videos clips could also be used in centers or small groups.

Voice Threading

Question 1: Share your experience exploring Voice Thread.

• Do you like it?    I think voice thread is a good idea and once I got the hang of it I enjoyed using it.  I checked out a few voice threads and enjoyed most of them.

• Do you see the value of it?    I can see the value of using voice thread but only for certain projects and age groups.  But it is very interactive and would help students feel involved with fellow students if used for a project. 

• Did you encounter any problems using it?   At first, I couldn't get an image to upload onto the site.  It took me three tries.  But once I uploaded an image I was able to record my voice thread easily.

•  Do you have any concerns about this tool?   My concern for using the tool would be the learning curve.  I would need to have a lesson in class on using voice thread.  Also the maturity of the students using the site would be a concern.  The voice thread would need to be closely monitored to prevent misuse.

• Question 2: How would this tool be used in your teaching?    In my teaching I could use the site to offer writing prompts for a class.  Students could each add an idea to the page after I started it.  I can see using it for a discussion board also with older students. 

• So in conclusion, I can see being able to use voice thread in the classroom with older students working independently or using it in a limited capacity with direct supervision in a class with younger children.  Voice thread would be a nice extra to add to a lesson on occasion but I don't see myself using it often.   

• I want to update my thoughts on voice thread.  After many students in the class have had trouble with making it public or getting it to record correctly, I find myself becoming less likely to use it in class as an activity for students to do independently.  Maybe I could make the voice thread and the students could view/listen to it, but finding the directions for certain tech. difficulties is not easy to do.  

My thoughts on the differences between web 1.0 and 2.0

Let's start with a visual.  Imagine yourself on a country road.  It is a dirt road with only a single lane and turn-offs are few and far between.  Now imagine yourself driving down a multi-lane highway with multiple exit ramps each leading to varied and different places. 

To me, web 1.0 is like the country road.  Users didn't have much control over their journey.  The web master held the power to direct traffic.  On web 2.0, the user has so many more choices.  And not only choices of where and what to view but also the user can add to the website's content.  In effect, the user can create their own exit if they aren't satisfied with the offered ones or see a need for a new 'exit ramp'. 

So, with web 2.0 users can create their own experience on the web.  Sites like Facebook allow users to share pictures, web links, and comments about their interests.  These additions can be kept private or allowed to flow free on the internet highway.  Now users can shape their technological world with a keyboard on a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, or through a web linked television. 

Web 2.0 has connected us in a way that is so much more personal than a phone call.  We can use web cams to communicate with our friends and family from far away.  In a world that seems ever more busy and rushed, new types of communication allow us to shrink our world and keep up with the people and ideas that are important to us.

About Me

Hello there.  My name is Glyna Golden.  I am an early childhood education student at Georgia Southwestern State University.  I recently decided to return to school and finish my teaching degree.  I am creating this blog for an assignment in my technology class.