Exploring Podcasting

Hello out there! So I've been tryng to create my very first podcast. I wanted to actually do a video podcast using my new webcam. I've recorded many takes with the "creative web cam" brand, but I'm having problems lining up my audio to my lips. It's funny to watch, but a little frustrating too. It seems to somehow skip in the middle of my presentation. I've been familiarizing myself with all of the features within the software, but I'm not finding an editing type feature or even a real-time like recording option. Maybe it's just a low-quality camera?

I've now evolved to using my digital camera instead to try and accomplish my little presentation.

If anyone reads this and has more experience...I'd love some tips or suggestions. I may just go to a regular audio podcast, but I'd like to show the visual I have for this mini project.

Ok--so I will continue to troubleshoot and explore in this process.

EdTech Talk---Professional Development through Webcasting!

So after my adventure in trying to get an understandable definition for folksonomy, I got side tracked looking at Del.icio.us. I've never done "social bookmarking," but I do bookmark websites/links that I want to keep as a reference in my favorites. I found the EdTech Talk website under an education tag. It's a wealth of information on exactly what we are trying to study for this course. Teachers go on and post blogs, do webcasts, and post information on technologies that are used in the classroom.

I got sucked into listening to a podcast about Digital Writing Workshop. There were several teachers on this podcast who explained how they are getting their kids to use technology towards their own writing. One teacher explained how she uses "track changes" when she edits students' papers. She also downloads audio for her studnets to listen to if there is a bigger concept she wants to clarify in the mistakes she's seeing on students' writing pieces. One of the interesting things about this podcast is teachers who are listening in can actually type in questions and send them in while the podcast is being broadcasted.

I think this website is a great source for teachers who are in that phase of digital migration. I also like the open forum type setting. You get this feeling that everyone involved is there to help you close the gap on your own technology learning curve.

Here's the link if you'd like to take a look!

http://www.edtechtalk.com/

Tips for Technophobic Teachers

I just read an interesting article on Edutopia regarding a 33- year teaching veteran who has struggled with adjusting to technology. This article gives some helpful suggestions. I also thought about how amazing it must be for some school districts to provide on site tech-integration coaches.

http://www.edutopia.org/freedom-technology-integration-tips

This second article was also encouraging. I like how David Wetzel addressed how some novice teachers freak out when technology glitches occur (like me) but should compare technology glitches to teaching strategies and techniques that also have glitches.

Glitches are normal and to be expected.

http://teachingtechnology.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_avoid_technophobia_in_the_classroom

My Inquiry and Exploration in New Literacies

As I've been thinking about what I want to focus on to research for this course, I keep coming back to wondering what technologies are being used in secondary Language Arts classrooms. I have a few friends out in the field that use GoodReads, Grammar Girl, Moodle, and TeacherTube.



I also wonder how some teachers are trained to adopt new technology skills in their classrooms. I know Wright State offers some workshops on the weekend, but I'm not sure how certain districts encourage training...maybe they don't when it comes to technology?

State Standards also swirls around in my head and how they may prevent teachers from really utilizing some newer technologies as a part of their teaching.



So there are a few things in the next several weeks I want to explore. I'll share my findings as I go!

Digital Storytelling

Ok All,

I just completed my first digital story. I have to confess that it was actually pretty tedious. I had a lot of trouble shooting to do to close the learning gap. The sound recording was challenging using Windows Movie Maker. I absolutely love the end result, but this project took a good deal of my afternoons and went into many late nights.

I am glad I have had the digital story experience and definitely would want to utilize this technology in my classroom.

Can anyone out there recommend other digital story software that they found user friendly?

I have taken the plunge and decided that I need to be more open to embracing technology, especially in trying to find innovative uses for it in Language Arts. I am technophobic by nature since I am old! :) So, I've been experimenting with Second Life. I was introduced to Second Life during a summer course at WSU. The focus in that course was to explore the Teen Grid, which is the "teen friendly and safe" Second Life version. In the mean time, I have created an avatar, and then started exploring Bay City. This place seems to be one of the first worlds new avatars are placed in.



In this new 21st Century Literacy course, I have spent more time trying to use my new avatar "Kimlim Rewell." The last week I have explored more of Bay City and have observed other avatars. In my summer course, I never talked to other avatars. I just walked and flew around. Two nights ago, I was exploring Bay City, and there were many avatars chatting. There was a good deal of sexual conversation among other avatars. I even had one avatar approach me, look me up and down, and even around on my back side. It was rude, I thought. He said "Hello" then I logged out.



Last night, I went to my home world (Bay City). Once I was in, most of all the avatars in the common area were naked. Actually, they were all skin colored and the lumps and bumps were visible. I decided at the point to be more proactive in finding a specific group or world to be in. I found Education in Virtual Reality and a UK Education world.



I know there are many uses for Second Life that the Corporate and Education world can use, but I've found it's also a place where Internet sex and vulgarity can live. Is there any one out there that has found some solid Second Life worlds in Education that also have interactive training sessions for teachers?