TECH Tools For Learning

This was a good article. The author did a good job of explaining the innovative tools that are available to students/teachers without using too much technical terminology. I also appreciated the various sites that the author had listed for the different types of technology which included information on weblogs, RSS (Real Simple Syndication), Pod Casting, Webcams and Streaming Videos.

Some of the high lites:

Blogs: On-line journal vs. peer collaboration, public or private conversation, reflective on-line portfolios.

Implement a teacher blog and have the students subscribe to the daily updates using blogs.
Blogs are a good tool for parents to look at for homework assignments and class updates.

RSS: We're now able to have all the various blogs we want to read, accessible at one site. Additionally, RSS now delivers newspapers and magazines.

Pod Casting: Can be used to narrate field trips, conduct interviews, listen to news shows, take museum tours and record student audio books.

Teachers can use to record lessons and than make them available to the visually impaired or absent.

Webcams: You can go on-line and through the use of small cameras throughout the world, you are able to look on-line and study just about anything in the world.

Streaming Videos: 5 to 10 minute-long videos which reinforces lessons or discussions that have already taken place. They can be embedded into PowerPoint presentations. There were various sites listed by the author for video clips, videos, etc.

April