Podcasts - Reflection #3

Today we learned about podcasts. Podcasts are defined as "A podcast (or non-streamed webcast) is a series of digital media files (either audio or video) that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication." on wikipedia. Today we created a podcast of a public service announcement.
I had heard of podcasts before but never actually listened to one or created one. We did this assignment so that we would know how to used this technology and show others how to. This technology will be really helpful to have in a class. For me right now it might be benifical to record lectures and upload them so I can relisten to them later on, or while studying.
In the future I think I will use this type of assignment in my class. Students can use podcasts to record themselves telling information about a subject. They can save thier information on a certian subject and listen later to themselves explaining what they learned. This would also be a great group activity where students take sections of a book or assignment record what they learn and then switch groups and listen to another podcast. This will affect the way I teach because now this is something I want to use in my class.

Reflection #2 Google Docs and Google Sites

This week in class we learned about how to create a google site and a google document. Are assignment was to create a google doc and share it with another person. We also had to create a google site for a fake classroom.
I think that these assignments will be really useful to us now as well as when we are teachers. The google doc has helped already with different class group assignments. Where we can all gather information and collaborate on creating a document. Its really nice that you don't have to be all together, you can be in different locations at different times working on the same project. The google site assignment is something that I thing will be more useful when we have a class but it is good to know how to do it now.
For the future, I believe the google site is a great tool for a teacher to have. I hadn't really thought about having a website for my class before. This assignment has shown me all the advantages having a website would bring. My favorite part was the homework page. I think that this benefits the students as well as the the parents. They can see exactly what I am expecting for the next day. And it is always there for reference if there are any questions. Google docs will be a huge benefit for my class also. They can work in groups and instead of having a bunch of papers or note they can all be in one place. As a teacher I will be able to give group assignments and also check and see who is contributing. Both of these tools will be a great resource for my class.

What technology was like when I was in school

In elementary school, I remember going to the computer lab maybe once aweek. We worked on computers that just had the black screen and green writing. There were a couple "colored" computers we took turns using. I honestly don't remember anything but playing Oregon Trail on the computers. They didn't really play a huge part in what I was being taught in the classroom. Somewhere around fifth or sixth grade we got a new computer lab and computers! It was a really exciting thing then. This is the first time I remember playing typing games and learning how to type. We would even sometimes type our reports for class. Around this time we also got a home computer. Computers started having more of an effect on what we were doign in school.
In Jr. High, I didn't use the computer for more than typing reports until ninth grade when I took an actual typing class. But all we did in that class was practice our typing.
In High school, we started using the internet for research. I personally didn't have it at my house yet. It wasn't until my senior year, that I got my first email address. My cousin had the internet at her house so I would go there to email and do research for class. It was also this year that I got my first cell phone. It was easier to communicate using email and cell phones. Cell phones were starting to be used for more than just an emergency.
After high school cell phones, and the internet started having way more of an effect on education. I started at UVU, and could registar online for classes. They started black board, you could email your professors, or email assignments.
Now technology plays a huge role in education. If students don't know how to use a computer it would be harder for them in school. There are even some schools trying out having ipods instead of a text book. I can only imagine what role technology will play in the future.