Utilizing podcasts in web based sites in a classroom setting can be effective. Podcasts are simple and can assist in student learning. Students who are not too good at reading nor like to read will listen to a reading or lecture. Podcasts definitely provide lecture improvement along with obtaining and maintaining student engagement. Podcasts are created to meet student needs and provide and alternative way of learning. Another benefit of podcasts is that it can be accessed anywhere through a mobile device and learning does not have to be completed just in one location.
Podcasts are beneficial to the educational system and will continue to be used as technology advances. There are many beneficial attributes that are entailed with podcasts and it allows instructors an alternative way in effectively communicating with there students. When reviewing the list of the top 100 tools for learning I noticed that there are quite a few tools I use. This includes twitter, powerpoint, youtube, Facebook, noodle, word, Skype, scoop it, and iTunes. The list could go on. As I continue on in my career and education my progression in social media or use of technology increases. As a Physical Education teacher I will need to learn more about and utilize the advancing technology that continues to bloom.
Through observation most of my students are well aware of the new technologies/learning tools and utilize them as they come about. If I am confused about any type of technology, tools for learning or social networks it is almost a guarantee that one of my students will know about it than I do. It is quite amazing on how fast they grasp the understanding on how to utilize the learning tools along with new technological advances. What takes me hours in trying to figure out, takes them minutes. I am not surprised of so much of what I used is apart of the top 100 list. Many of the tools are very effective and beneficial to use. As time continues I am curious to see what else comes out in learning tools and technologies. Watching the 2.0 Web video was quite informative and educational. I now have a clear understanding on the difference between the two and what they entail. In my opinion Web 2.0 would be more beneficial to use due to the fact that there is communication variation. The video illustration was short and basic but easy to understand. I am sure Web 1.0 is just as important as Web 2.0 is. Each have different variables to offer to consumers.
The article about how the internet is revolutionizing education was informative as well. I had the basic knowledge on how the internet has been greatly beneficial to the educational system but I gained more insight by the statistics that were presented in the article. Through internet usage society has been given the opportunity to continue their education without having to physically walk onto a school campus. As the article had stated , as long as a person has internet connection through any digital device , access to online data can be obtained. I was aware about the different collaboration and editing tools that were presented as well in the article. As an undergraduate student I used one of the listed items which was Prezi. It took me some time to navigate through it but I was able to learn a few things about the sight. In the end I did not use prezi though due to the fact that I was much more comfortable in using the basic powerpoint slide presentation format. As technology advances, I will continue to broaden my knowledge on the best way to utilize the new advances as a Physical Educator in my content. It may be challenging and confusing at first but through practice and help I am sure I will have an effective outcome. When going through a few categories on LifeDev, I found them to be extremely beneficial. The ones that I explored and was definitely interesting were the Map My Run, Favorite Run, Pandora, and a couple of the Calendar options. I am not to aware or familiar with online tools therefore each one that I explored was new and I was able to gain some knowledge on how each one works an can be utilized.
A few calendar ones would definitely keep track of my busy schedule with school, coaching, and teaching. It would be of great help to have technological reminders instead of always having to refer back to my desk calendar especially when I am not at work or can not get to my paper/booklet calendar. One of the best things about these tools is that they are easily accessible on a cell phone and I always have my cell phone on me. Map My Run and Favorite run is also another one that I really enjoyed exploring. This would benefit me due to the fact that I like to take an occasional jog here and there. It would be nice to know my courses and track my distance. The technologies that I have been introduced to and explored thus far in this course has provided me with more knowledge about social media along with social networking. The two main ones that I believe could be beneficial for my current and future career is the PWP and the Facebook Page. Creating my very first blog in this course was very exciting and new for me. For now, it seems easy to navigate through. Creating my Facebook page was new for me too and I learned how to expand communication through a well known social media site. The only thing I messed up on was not having people join my page but only like it.
As a Physical Educator/Coach both sites could enable me to communicate with athletes, students, other teachers, and students. Through these sites I could post classroom policies, rules, upcoming activities, games, game times, and etc. Individuals could read what is coming up next along with posting comments if questions arise. There can be immediate communication and feedback. Posted by Brittnie Cooksey on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 The study of "Always On" was very intriguing and stated some valid points. Dependency on technology has greatly increased and could be considered as the second mind for this next generation. I have to say that I sometimes fall into the category of "Always ON" in the aspect of the fact that I am always on or using technology in some sense and when there is a technological difficulty or mishap, I tend to become irritated or quickly think of what could I possibly do next to retrieve that source. What other technology source could I use. Technology can also be a source of distraction as well. Not only has this happened with myself but it occurs with students as well.
When it comes to the issue of students being "Always On" in the technology world, I feel as though it may have a negative affect on education. How students retain knowledge, effectively communicate, work towards goals or achievements will decrease. Of course positive variables are obtained through this "Always On" generation but I feel when it comes to education there can be some vital variables that impacts the education system in a declining manner. Yes, implementation of technology in the educational system can create a wide variety in retaining information, inspiring creations, and so much more but with the over-usage and dependency on technology critical thinking skills can diminish along with effective communication skills. In conclusion, "Generation Always On" will have an impact on education whether it be positive or negative. I believe as educators how we implement strategies, approach the issue, and relate to the matter will impact education greatly. Whether teacher, parent and peer influence is effective or not, technology usage will always be a revolving cycle of issues. In reading the Social Networking in Undergraduate Education article, I found that the results of specific findings correlated with my own experiences in social networking as well as with the lives of students that I have interacted with.
The number of users in social networking/technology are ever increasing and can be quite effective in the educational system. When I was an undergraduate student, technology was a great asset to utilize in my learning process, especially with the type of work that was required. Besides utilizing technology for school based work and achievement I also used it to communicate with others, and create new friendships. Even now as a Physical Educator, there is much of social networking. Even though it can have it's negative aspects, there are much positives as well. There is so much knowledge that can be attained and presented through social networking. With high schools students I have found that they greatly enjoy social networking. Which brings me to the point on another fact the article stated. Through technology increase, literacy has changed. From experience in working with adolescents for a couple of years now, I have known this to be true. How students communicate with their peers,write, or read translates over into how they communicate with their parents or teachers. Today's texting, facebook, youtube, and twitter language has often been expressed to me in the classroom setting, whether that be if the student is speaking, demonstrating a skill or has written a paper. Even though social networking has impacted literacy in a negative aspect, it has benefits as well. Students are able to complete homework, research, communicate with friends and much more. Incorporating technology into the student learning process can motivate them along with meeting the needs of their learning styles and student engagement may increase. In conclusion I believe that social networking/technology can be effective for adolescents and adults. It will continue to increase and improve as time go on. There will also always be pro's and con's with it . How it is used or incorporated can determine the outcome.
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