Skype for Teachers

One technology that has been fun to use is Skype. Skype is a video chat program that can be used by anyone. I think this would be a great technology for teachers because they could Skype with other teachers and share information without having to e-mail those teachers. Skype is also free, which is a huge bonus for teachers. All teachers need to do is download the software along with selecting a user name and password. This technology can also be used 24/7 because Skype is global.

Below is a video outlining the uses of Skype for teachers. I would highly recommend teachers use this technology in the classroom as well. Showing the students how to use Skype would be beneficial because they could video chat through Skype with other school across the United States and see what they are doing. Skype is a wonderful technology and can only further the use of new technologies for students.

Web 2.0 in Education

Web 2.0 offers many benefits for education. It use to be run by a select group of people who owned the sites in Web 2.0. Now we run Web 2.0 because these sites are user based. Anyone can run a site on Web 2.0. One of the best parts about Web 2.0 is that it is great for information sharing between users. That is why teachers and educators should want to implement and use this technology in their classrooms. Users can also point out certain video-sharing sites, social networking sites, wikis, and blogs to other users on Web 2.0.

Below is a video explaining the basics of Web 2.0. Some teachers and educators are in the video and talk about the uses of Web 2.0 for them personally and in the classroom. I am glad technologies like Web 2.0 are making their way into the classroom. That way, teachers and educators can be grasping these technologies and wanting to know more to improve learning through technology in education.

The iSchool Initiative

I stumbled across a video on YouTube and I was intrigued to say the least. Just think about this: what if there were no more books, papers, electronic copies, and No. 2 pencils in class? You would probably think it would be difficult to promote a learning environment in the classroom without those materials. However, what if I told you there is a way to learn without those materials? The future of education may be in the apps for your iPod touch.

A high school student from Fayetteville, GA has started to think about and develop a plan for the future of education. He calls it the iSchool Initiative because the primary source used for information will be your iPod touch. Homework assignments, contact to your teachers' e-mail, global maps, graphing calculator, calendar, and many more applications to help students be more interactive with learning in and out of the classroom.

This may be the future of education, so below is the video with the explanation for the iSchool Initiative. We need to find ways to engage students more and this may be a solution.

Early Learning and the iPhone

This morning on the backchannel during lecture for Educational Technology & Design, I talked about a unique app for the iPhone. The application is called ABC Animals. The interesting thing about this app is that it ties concepts of print to learning quite well. For example, Aa appears on the screen and the voice says, "A is for alligator." Not only does the app show the letters and pictures, but it helps the listener start to learn words at the same time. Apple strikes gold with this application (yes, I am pro-Apple products).

I think this application is a glimpse into the present and very near future to aid instruction in the classroom. Helping learners of all abilities and levels in the classroom is something educators should strive for. Technologies like the iPhone/iPod touch will be utilized and should be introduced in the classroom. Below is the brief overview of the ABC Animals app. Enjoy!

Entering The Digital Age

Educators are now starting to enter the "digital age" within the classroom. More and more, students are using technologies like texting, iPods, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Skype, etc. to stay connected on a daily basis. The question becomes, "How do we integrate technology into the classroom?" There are a few ways to do that.

Many classrooms have access to computers in the classroom thanks to school districts. Creating websites (like Google WebQuests) helps interactive learning with students. Spreadsheets on Microsoft Excel also gives students the capacity for interactive learning and to have fun while learning. One thing students want to be able to do is connect with the world in classrooms. Technologies like Skype, Facebook and Twitter give students those opportunities. Instead of showing videos on VCR's and TV's, students can watch them on YouTube and other video sharing websites.

Below is a video on the digital generation of students in schools now. Just think about what effective techniques can be used to reach students in the classroom.