Week 4- 7 things you should know about… Screencasting

A screencast is basically a recording of the actions on a user’s computer screen that can be accompanied by audio or callouts and then streamed over a network. “In the same way that a screenshot is a static representation of a computer over a period of time” (www.educause.edu/eli). Some examples of software include Adobe Captivate, Camtasia, Screencast-O-Matic .com and Capornicus. If you have not had the chance to download a free trial or use a website that offers free screencasting tools, you should! Screencasting is a great way to show users a quick “How to” or perhaps create an entire online lesson. As an educator of utilizing an electronic medical record, screencasting has proved time and time again to be an extremely powerful tool to help end users navigate through the applications.

The article “7 things you should know about…Screencasting” points out that screen casts are significant because they “provide students with lessons they can watch at their convenience, as often as they choose, to review class material or to help understand concepts they find difficult” (www.educause.edu/eli). Through this they are able to navigate at their own speed, rewind when needed and or catch up on material they may have missed. Screencasting works great for all kinds of learners whether you are visual or auditory and can even work be helpful for students with disabilities. The content is always consistent so you can ensure all students are learning the same information. As the article point out, “the technology offers a simple means of providing a fixed presentation, one that shows the same material in a consistent, reputable form”  (www.educause.edu/eli). Since screencastings are not interactive, it will be important that teachers thoroughly think through the assessment process. The competency or assessment expected of students must be meaningful and reflective of the material presented.

7 Things You Should Know About Blogs | EDUCAUSE.edu. (2014, January 1). Retrieved on May 28, 2014 from http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-screencasting

Week 3-Facebook Can Now Spy On Your Surroundings Via Your Phone's Microphone

This week I poked around on the ReadWrite news feed on feedly and I stumbled upon the article "Facebook Can Now Spy On You Surroundings Via Your Phone's Microphone" written by Selena  Larson. I have to say I was so infuriated by this article and I think everyone should be aware what Facebook is doing. Recently a new Facebook feature was announced where they can automatically identify TV shows and music you are listening to in the background when updating your Facebook news feed status. "Any identified music you share will give your friends a 30-second song preview. Facebook will also post the exact season and episode of a show you're watching if you share it, although the social network also makes the oddball claim that such sharing will somehow allow you to “avoid any spoilers and join in conversations with your friends after you’ve caught up” (Larson, 2014).

Facebook claims that they will not store any sound in their data collections. Meaning they are not recording any conversations you may be having. I find that extremely hard to believe! They do admit that the capability is there but they are choosing not to do this. This is a complete violation of privacy. In my mind I would categorize this feature as spyware, just another way for the government to control society through social media. Unbelievable. Consider this article the next time you are using Facebook.

Larson, S. (2014, May 21). Facebook Can Now Spy On Your Surroundings Via Your Phone's Microphone. ReadWrite. Retrieved May 24, 2014, from http://readwrite.com/2014/05/21/facebook-spying-mobile-microphone-music-tv#awesm=~oFbEeedB9Mp1n2

Week 3- 7 things you should know about… Flickr

Flickr is a photo sharing site that allows its users to upload and manage their photos on the web. Before reading the article “7 things you should know about…Flickr” and signing up for a free account, I had really never heard of the site. I have to say I will definitely consider using this for my personal use and can imagine how it can be utilized in a classroom setting. I spend most of my time taking pictures with my phone, like so many other people, then uploading them and saving the photos to my computer. Some of the features include the ability to share photos, comment on photos, assign tags, select copyright settings and create photo sets.

The article points out several benefits of using Flickr in the classroom. First, it gives students the opportunity to share their experiences and build relationships with other students through comments and feedback. Therefore, students form a sense of a community (www.educause.edu/eli). In addition, it houses images that would not be stored anywhere else, since they are owned by individuals. This means that “the range of visual resources for a specific topic is enormous” (www.educause.edu/eli). This provides students the opportunity to explore many interests. There are also a downsides to the use of Flickr in the classroom. For instance, comments are not controlled, therefore both positive and negative comments can be shared. Also, Flickr’s tags are subject spelling mistakes or incorrect tags since they are reliant on the users which may make it more difficult for students to search and find what they are looking for (www.educause.edu/eli).


The article thinks there is a bright future for Flickr and thinks that many of their features will expand by continuing to partner with other companies to create scrapbooks, calendars and so forth. It is also believed that the site may “put pressure on colleges and other universities to develop tools that are similarly attractive to students and faculty” (www.educause.edu/eli).

7 Things You Should Know About Flickr | EDUCAUSE.edu. (2014, January 1). . Retrieved May 24, 2014, from http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-flickr.

Week 2- 7 things you should know about… Blogs

Today millions of people are using blogs to share their stories and passions with the world. “Estimates suggest as many as 50 million people are now blogging (www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-blogs,2014).” It seems that the use of blogs is a way to bring innovative uses of technology into the classroom. The great thing about blogs is that they are straight forward and easy to use. It gives students a voice and the power to be heard on the web to include “knowledge sharing, reflection, and debate, they often attract a large and dedicated readership” (www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-blogs,2014) It also serves as a collaboration tool within the classroom amongst peers. 

 

On the other hand, blogs can include a lot of fictional and biased information. This can be challenging when it comes to using blogs within the classroom. Students may often take the information as the source of truth, when in fact the information is completely inaccurate. It is also important to keep students respectful of the intellectual property. All information included within the blog must be properly cited. Teachers should always make sure that students have a clear understanding of the proper uses of copyright laws.

“Put into practice with an understanding of their benefits and limitations blogs are increasingly accepted, blogs are an increasingly accepted instructional technology tool” When incorporated effectively into the classroom, it can be seen as a new opportunity for student exploration.

7 Things You Should Know About Blogs | EDUCAUSE.edu. (2014, January 1). . Retrieved May 19, 2014, from http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-blogs.

Week 2- 5 Tips for Avoiding Teacher Burnout

Teaching can often times be stressful between state testing, constant changes to curriculum, behavioral issues amongst students and perhaps worrying about those students who do not have love or role models they should at home. In order to prevent a teacher “burnout” it is important that they learn to deal with these internal and external stresses. The Edutopia blog entitled “5 Tips for Avoiding Teacher Burnout” written by Mary Beth Hertz discusses important factors that cause teacher burnouts and tips to prevent them.

First, it is important to maintain your “other” life. Sometimes we as teachers can get so wrapped up in being the best teacher we can be which may entail many hours of research, preparation, grading and sleepless nights. The blog suggests to spending “some time when you are not thinking about the classroom and stay connected to your support group of friends and family”

Another good point this blog discussed was nurturing peer connections. Many teachers feel isolated and alone when they are not given the opportunity to work with their colleagues. At times teachers are spread thin often to do other duties outside of the classroom. Administration should build time within the week for teachers to connect, understand what other teachers are experiencing, and share their ideas with one another. “Feeling part of a team, knowing what others are doing in their classrooms, and seeing how your work fits into the bigger picture is motivating, inspiring increases feeling of self-worth” (Hertz, M.B., 2014)

These are a couple of highlights from the blog “5 Tips for Avoiding Teacher Burnout”. Check it out!

Hertz, M. B. (May 15, 2014). 5 Tips for Avoiding Teacher Burnout. Edutopia. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/5-tips-avoiding-teacher-burnout-mary-beth-hertz

Just getting started!

Welcome to my blog! Looking forward to the next 8 weeks of class.