Communicating with Technology

Time: Asynchronous v. Synchronous

Asynchronous does not happen in real time
Synchronous happens in real time

Asynchronous
Chats/Instant Messaging
Podcasts Videoconferencing
Internet Radio

Synchronous
Discussion Boards


Using Instant Messaging (one to one communication):
Patricia: Hey, I saw that you were online and wanted to ask you a question.
Natasha: Go ahead, I'm all ears
Patricia: So what are we supposed to do for technology again?
Natasha: We have to do a learning artifact on Ch. 7 letting Jeff see what we learned from the chapter
Patricia: Well, I am having a hard time trying to come up with something to do, can you help me
Natasha: No, J/K! lol sure I can help you
Patricia: So I heard that discussion boards are good for the classroom, but they don't provide feedback instantly like using chat or instant messaging (IM)
Natasha: I know, I think that discussion boards are a way for people who aren't in the same location to work on projects, presentation, ask questions, seek advice, or just collaborate on different things
Patricia:Yeah, that will work! Going global in the classroom...that's awesome. The classroom has changed so much since we've been in elementary school...
Natasha: It gets students to think about what they are going to say, before they begin to write. It's different when you have to write to others.
Patricia: So true...Students become so collaborative that they think about others ideas and they are able to see others views and opinions...not just their own.
Natasha: But students need some type of guideline to help them go through and use this tool in the classroom
Patricia: of course......
Natasha:You know, I was volunteering in an elementary school and I noticed that a whole class was getting involved into a project....then I noticed that there was a camera in the room. The teacher pointed towards the screen and I seen another class on the television screen.
Patricia: WOW! I can't believe that....what ever happened to writing a pen pal letter to someone over seas....oh, how times have changed.
Natasha: YEAH! It was actually called virtual conferencing....it's just like one classroom working on a collaborative project together....they get to learn about different cultures, ideas, perceptions, etc
Patricia: But what about the prices...it must be expensive to do video conferencing in the school setting...
Natasha: Yes, it is. But students are benefiting from the result of it though. Teachers and students need to know what to do, such as what questions to ask, behavior issues, etc.
Patricia: So what happens after it done and students return back to normal class....??????
Natasha: Well, the teacher needs to have activities and projects to help the students follow up to the video conference. I think that students need that wrap up to help them understand and make connections to what is expected of them.
Patricia: Okay! That's cool to know.
Natasha: Well, what about podcasting?
Patricia: Well, something that I know a little bit about. Aside from downloading them to my Zune....I think that podcasts are very useful....
Natasha: really, what exactly is a podcast?
Patricia: Yeah, it's like a mini video or clip with audio/video or just audio or just video.... Students can create their own, but best of all it serves as a way to allow them to be creative and a great way to assess their learning
Natasha: okay, how does it work in the classroom setting?
Patricia: Well, students have to choose a topic and determine its purpose for why they are creating a podcast about it, and then prepare to broadcast it for an audience, which could be their classmates.
Natasha: Oh, so it allows students to have good decision-making skills and deepens their knowledge about the topic that they did and by watching others' podcasts they learn that skill.
Patricia: Exactly, just like that. So students nowadays have it so easy, they get to have input on how they get to learn....be creative...having other opportunities to display and create their work. I just say rock on technology!
Natasha: Yeah, I just wonder about 5-10 years from now. What would our students be doing then
Patricia: Scary isn't it.....well, at least we have a heads-up of the now...I guess I'll see you in class Tuesday...
Natasha: Yeah....good luck on the assignment!
Patricia: Thanks

Community Building with Technology

Community can be defined as having a group of people in the same place. In this community people can have the same or different interest, for example a group of people who love technology. Lately, that term has been made into a global matter, where people from all over the world get together in the common place--the internet. The internet is a place where everyone can reach anyone at anytime; for example, through email or instant messenger.

I have so many people who have been wondering about several topics that I would discuss below.

Knowledge Forum
-Electronic group workspace that is designed to support the process of knowledge building.
1. What are some features to help build knowledge?
It create deeper levels of understanding, you can also defines problems, hypothesize, research, collect information, collaborate, and analyze. Students can formulate their own questions define their own learning goals, acquire and build a knowledge base and collaborate with others. This type of tool can be similar to inquiry based learning, where students create their own learning.

Wikis
-A type of Web site that allows users to add, remove, or edit and change available content.
1. Why is it useful?
It is user-friendly and a great collaborative tool that students can use in the classroom setting.
2. Are there different types of wikis?
Yes, there are all types. There is Wikibooks and Wikijunior; e-book text for students, Wikitravel, etc.
3. Why use wikis?
Wikis create a real space for students to review materials, encourage creativity and gives students that much needed motivation because it something new that they can use, instead of the textbook.

Blogs
-Intended as personal diaries or journals for individuals to post their own thoughts and ideas.
1. How have they changed?
Blogs have become highly interactive spaces, where dialogue is happening between the author and the responders. Also, the author can link their blog to other Web sites to can help accompany their blog.
2. How can it be educational?
Blogs can provide a rich learning opportunity. Many explorers, scientists, and researchers create blogs about their expeditions or current scientific research that teachers can use in the classroom if their lesson corresponds. Students would be interacting with real people and watching their moves while the explorers work on their finding.
3. Who can create blogs?
Anyone can create blogs. Teachers and students can create their own blogs about projects, research that they are doing, hobbies, sports games, etc.

iEARN Learning Circles, Global Schoolhouse, and Kidlink
-A place where diverse students from around the world can get together to discuss various topics, and projects.
1. Why are these tools useful?
Students can develop an understanding and appreciation for other cultures and perspectives.
2. Why is it important?
A certain number of schools are connected from around the world to collaborate on meaningful learning projects. Student/student, student/teacher or teacher/teacher can communicate to discuss and collaborate on various topics and projects. Teachers or students can get a another perspective on topics and develop a different understanding to broaden their knowledge base.

Tapped In and Teacher Talk
-An online workspace where K-12 teachers and educational professionals can meet to discuss activities that they have done or are doing.
1. What's the difference?
Tapped In includes students and Teacher Talk does not.

Usenet and NetNews Groups
-Places where people with common interest, basically any interest, can chat with each other.
1. Is it appropriate for students?
I would have to say no, students might be exposed to some harsh responses from chatters that can be very harmful.
2. What must a teacher do?
A teacher must first preview the groups and make sure that that group is appropriate for students to use in the classroom and home setting.

I would use these tools in my classroom.
Reasons
1. Instead of sending "penpal" letters to people around the world, students can use the Kidlink, iEARN Learning Circle or Global Schoolhouse to talk to other students from different cultures. They can collaborate on different projects and still learn about different cultures and their perspectives.
2. A teacher can create a blog that students can view from home to know about classroom assignments, projects, homework, etc. I would use blogs with student in middle school and higher. I would not use blogs with elementary students.
3. These tools can help students become motivated and want to learn because its a different tool that they can use, instead of using the textbook for answers. They can explore the tools and create their own knowledge.
4. Teacher would get a kick out of using something different for a chance.