I like to laugh and I think a funny video would really work wonders with kids getting engaged.  Our students really live in a video world and I remember that when I was in an elem school so many of the teachers complained that they couldn’t compete with Sesame Street.  I agree that this new generation of kids is too often left to the mercy of the video – I hate seeing kids being shuttled to school and around town locations while being plugged into a dvd player in the car.  I think it is fine for long trips but my best conversations with my children were often in the car (where they were a captive audience – LOL). 

Anyway – I think a video is great way to capture their interest and being able to embed it in a web page is really the way to go since You Tube is often blocked.

I have found lots of things on Teacher Tube – I had trouble getting into it today.  But we did have a science class post a video there last year.  They had done a rap about the environment and the teacher wanted to post it on our website.  That took F O R E V E R to download so we uploaded it to teacher tube and did a link to that page.  Now that I know how to embed it – I’ll be doing that in the future. 

I often forget about you tube at school since it is blocked but I will encourage my teachers to utilize this great fun tool in the future. 

I think they could be great – if they were specific – for instance a study guide.  And even drilling it down harder – like three things you want to be sure you know for the test.  That is helpful and pertinent.  I tried listening to a teacher podcast today that wasn’t part of the class – he had taped an entire parent meeting – unedited, it was painful.  I wanted to hear what he said about Ning and couldn’t stand to wait that long.  I think teachers using it with students is really the way to go.  Students really want to hear themselves and if they each take a topic and review it, they will benefit and other students will listen.

Personally – I am a podcasting junkie.  I anxiously await every episode This American Live (NPR) and Planet Money (NPR) in addtion to other kinds of podcasts.  I use YOGAmazing to change up my yoga workout and just love that these things come to my computer and ipod automatically with very little work on my part.  Once you do the work – you just enjoy the ride!

1. There is so much offered here – I agree all these things are all blurred and confused in my head.
2. I had so much fun getting my brain so befuddled.
3. I feel empowered – in the know – I like that feeling.
4. I know the best way in my school to start moving along is with baby steps and let word of mouth help spread the success stories and the interest.
5. Although we didn’t cover twitter, this class helped me go ahead and jump in and now a teacher who is going on the 8th grade trip is going to twitter how the trip is going so parents, friends and staff can follow!

I am very very happy I took this class and I’m glad I took it in the spring – then I have the summer to try to revisit these pages (I hope they will still be available) and digest things and really work on making some of these tools available with support to my teachers.

Thanks to all and especially to Jerre – she is a role model to me and I am a big fan!

I am happy I have been exposed to this as I do think we have a few takers at my school. 

I love to read and love to read books so I thought I’d be a bit more excited about it but maybe I’m just over websited today – LOL – I thought it was medium - I will share it with my media specialist however.