February 21, 2010

Dr.Christie's Website
Go Here to explore Dr.Christie's site

First off, Dr. Christie's website is jam packed full of resources for teachers! There are so many to choose from it was hard to choose just one. But, I chose her Google Earth Resource Guide. It contains information on what exactly Google Earth is, how much it costs, why to use it in the classroom, examples of Google Earth lessons, Google Earth resources, tutorials, videos on using it, and how to connect with other Google Earth users and educators. But her website contains much more educational technology tools and how to use them in the classroom.

As a teacher, I could use Google Earth to simply enhance student learning. It gives students a way to actually visualize the world, and places that they have never seen or will never get the chance to see. It boosts the skills required for map reading and navigation. It also lets them see where they live in relation to the rest of the world. I feel that it makes learning more exciting and meaningful, and students get a chance to use technology. I could use Google Earth to have students measure things, such as the length of a bridge or the height of a pyramid, or even the length of the country. Another way to use Google Earth as a teacher is to use Google Lit Trips, where students can use Google Earth to learn where exactly road trip novels took place at, novels such as The Grapes of Wrath, Night, and Paddle to the Sea. With all the great resources on Dr. Christie's site, I know I will use it as a teacher!

iTunes University
Click Here to go the the Apple iTunes U website
Go Here to read about the benefits of using Itunes U

As a teacher iTunes University is a way teachers can distribute digital lessons to their students. Many students are already using iTunes to download music and videos to their iPods, iPhones, and computers, so to me it just makes sense that if a teacher wants to put educational information on the Web as tool for their students to put it on iTunes, and iTunes U is an easy way to do this. A teacher can not only put lectures on iTunes U, but also study materials and class announcements. Students and teachers alike can find high quality information in one place, and teachers can get resources for their class from other teachers across the country using iTunes U and easily share this information with their students.

As a student, iTunes University allows students to study at their own pace whenever, wherever. Students can also get lecutres anytime, anywhere. They can replay lectures or parts of a lecture that seemed difficult. They can use iTunes U to study for tests and do homework. Students can benefit from educational information without the limitations of the physical classroom or time-limited schedules. They can experience a class without actually going to class, if the teacher puts classroom lectures on iTunes U. This is helpful if students misses class for some reason, they can get all the information they need right on iTunes University.

iTunes U doesn't necessarily contain solely academic matter. It contains information on underage drinking, bullying, and advice for parents.

Educational uses for the iPod
Click Here to learn some educational uses of iPods in the classroom.
You can also go here to learn about Duke Universities findings on the benefits of iPods in the classroom

So far I have learned that there are a vast array of uses for iPods in classrooms. A teacher can not only use them in conjuction with iTunes to record lessons, but many other things. An iPod can be used to record a students progress in reading comprehension or their just plain understanding of a subject. The iPod can be used as an enclyopedia by putting Wikipedia on it , you can get the iPod ebook creator which converts web pages, copied and pasted text, rss feeds, and text files into iPod notes and then can be read on the iPod. Go here to learn more. The iPod is a great study tool, its compatible with Sparknotes, and can hold studyguides, ebooks, practice tests, classic books, and charts.

Duke University found that the iPod's eductational uses are transportable access to lectures, music, historical speeches, foreign language content, podcasts, iTunes music store, and Blackboard tools. It can be used as a classroom recording tool as well as a field recording tool. The iPod can also be used to transfer and back up file storage. Duke University also found that iPods reduced student and teacher dependence on physical materials, reduced dependence on lab and library location and hours, iPods increased student participation, and heightened individual learning needs and preferences.

An iPod plus iTunes makes for a great educational tool. A teacher could use audiobooks to enhance interest in reading, podcast classroom lessons, have students create a digital story and share it with others, use podguides where students can explain a project, have students make a documentary that includes recorded interviews with images, and students can use iPods to record themselves to see how they are progressing in reading or language comprehension.