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?