I was in Saskatoon last weekend for a presentation and was eyeing the power point for design and presentation principles learned from Dean Shareski, and in the powerpoint, I noticed how effective the message is when the “showing not telling” concept is used through visual images/metaphors rather than through just words or too many words. I also noticed how easily it is to zone out when listening to a speaker. I was comparing the style of presenting and learning to what occurs in this class (ECMP 355) and realized how beneficial the tools we use for learning are. On a side note, I have to admit, before using these tools, I was a little skeptical of the value they had for learning but after using them for 7 weeks I am beginning to see the value. So, I wanted to share some of the ways I am learning from some of the tools we are using in this class.
Eluminate- I recently began logging on to eluminate while sitting in the face to face class, and I am finding it to be a great way to connect to the people online by reading and adding comments, or questions to online classmates. After getting use to the chat feature, instead of finding it a distraction, I find it a nice addition to the lectures and class discussions.
Blogs- I am learning so much from other classmates’ and teachers’ blogs. Reading them has inspired many ideas and blog posts and has introduced me to many websites, resources, and ideas about education and technology. I am learning so much more then I would have if this online community didn’t exist.
Videos- Wow, I didn’t realize the power of video to convey a message until viewing the videos created by my classmates for their final project presentations. I think videos are a great way to share ideas about a topic, promote a network, present a social problem, provide information about what was learned, how something was created, or how to use something. I am inspired and would love to practice and use this tool more in the future.
I would love to hear how these or other tools have helped people learn in this class.
I was reading the Search Engine blog on the CBC website and came across an interesting post on web browsers for children with autism. The ZAC Browser is a web browser specifically for children with autism. ZAC Browser was created by the grandparents of Zackary, a 6 year-old child with autism. They created the browser, which is free to download, so their grandson could use the internet without becoming overwhelmed, confused, and frustrated by the number of choices usually found on a regular internet browser as well as from the abundance of websites on the internet. From what I understand, the ZAC browser limits the number of websites the user can access and is also designed for easier navigation. There is a nice video, made by AP, about this story on the ZAC Browser website (same video as the one ebeded here). I also found an autism search engine they created called Zac Search. One neat feature about the search engine is it has tabs for the highest rated as well as the most visited websites about autism.
I was commenting on Sara’s blog today about CBC’s excellent techie radio programs, and I decided I should peruse some of their websites today. However, the websites never have as much information as you get from listening to the program live. I have never subscribed to a podcast before but after reading Sara’s experience, I am inspired to start. I often miss my favourite CBC programs because I am working. Do those of you who subscribe to podcasts use Google Reader…I can’t remember if we were shown a website or tool to subscribe to podcasts- can anyone help me out?
I saw this advertisement on television many months ago, and then, a few days ago when I was watching youtube videos on cyber bullying. This video’s message is, “Words hurt, don’t be a part of it”. This video doesn’t directly address cyber bullying or written insults. However, verbal insults can be directly related to written/online bullying. I think this video is worth watching to educate students on the impact of online or face to face bullying.
This video shows the effects of verbal assaults, on the victim, by associating verbal attacks with physical attacks. Each insult is personified as a person physically assaulting the victim on screen. I think this video gives students a strong visual image about the impact of these hurtful words and an awareness of emotional pain. This video creates powerful visual imagery and clearly communicates the effects of bullying on the victim.
Another aspect to cyber bullying, which is not covered in the above video, is the ability to spread hurtful messages to a wider audience. The internet allows people to spread messages to so many more people, thus increasing the trauma felt by the victim. The next video, found at Open Thinking WIki, presents a comparison to spreading hurtful words on the internet. A student degrades a another student at a talent show- in front of the entire school.
I think both of these videos try to make students aware of their actions, and how harmful cyber bullying can be. However, there will always be people who do not have this awareness or understanding, so it is important to teach students what to do if this happens to them. After searching through Open Thinking Wiki, I found a website with many resources for teachers and students on cyber bullying. On this page of the website, there are resources for students to deal with cyber bullying.
I was searching youtube with my nieces yesterday, and found an excellent video for 3 and 4 year olds. It is called The Elephant Song by Eric Herman. He adds a neat dimension to the song because he sings and interacts with his 3 year old. The song is about animals: their habitat, characteristics, and typical behaviour. In the song, he assigns habitat and characteristics to the wrong animal. Really engaging for this age group because they are organizing this kind of information in their mind, so the mixing allows them to critically think about what they hear and check their own knowledge. The video includes colourful pictures. Also, the visual images are an engaging aspect of the video because the animals are drawn and erased as he sings about them.
I am a pre-service teacher at the University of Regina, and I am currently in my third year. This weblog, which began as an education computer's assignment, will now become a space to record my reflections, ideas, and emerging portfolio. Let me know what you think!
