Article Review #2 EDU6215

Ruffini, M. (Nov. 8, 2013). Educause Review. Screencasting to Engage Learning,

Retrieved from: http://er.educause.edu/articles/2012/11/screencasting-to-engage-learning

Using Screencasting in your Classroom

Summary:

This article discusses the use of Screencasting in the classroom. Screencasting is when a teacher records the activity on their computer screen using a program to capture the images and also audio from the teacher as well. The teacher can then put these screencasts on their websites or other media for their students. There are many teacher benefits for screencasting such as presenting step-by-step instructions to students. The teacher can concentrate the lesson specifically on the content that they want the students to learn, whether it is viewing a video clip or highlighting parts of a lecture. The students can rewind and replay the screencast as many times as they need to for viewing and learning the concepts. Students can also view the lesson whenever is convenient for them to learn.

Reflection:

I thought the article was interesting and made me think a little differently about screencasting. I had previously used screencast-o-matic to record lessons in my classroom to put on my moodle site, but they were of me teaching not of my computer screen. I used the program to record my screen since I used my document camera as a video camera to record the teaching. I had not really thought of using the program for highlighting PowerPoint presentations for absent students or even as a review for lower Special Education students prior to testing. There are many benefits to using screencasting in the classroom. Another thing that I liked in the article was that they talked about how teachers should add in a response form, especially if flipping their classroom, for student accountability to make sure that they have viewed the screencast. I think this would be great if you were requiring students to watch certain screencasts, to have the automatic feedback sent via email. Overall I feel that I will try using screencasting in my classroom this year in the format for helping students review for the Constitution test. I feel that this would be most beneficial for the students and would be a great place to start.

Article Review #1 EDU 6215

Bauer, S.  Fuller, W. Gray, L. Levin, H. Poole, B. Wagner, J. (July. 18, 2011). Education World: The Best Tech Tools For Teachers. Retrieved from: http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech234.shtml

Caron, S. (Nov. 21, 2015). Education World: Smart Teaching with Interactive Whiteboards. Retrieved from:

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/smart_teaching_with_interactive_whiteboards.shtml

Using Tech in the Classroom

Summary:

I read two articles that both talked about the benefits of using Interactive Whiteboards in the classroom. Both articles praised the interactive whiteboards and the benefits that they added to the classrooms but stressed that teachers needed to be trained in using them. The boards do add in the presentation of a teacher’s lesson, but when used properly can engage more students by involving them in the lesson itself. Students can come up to the board to manipulate images/information. Parts of the previous day’s lesson can be recalled since work can be saved and not erased like on a traditional whiteboard. Teachers can print the work screens as notes for students that are absent. One teacher sent home the software with her students on a USB bracelet so that they could design lessons for their project assignments for the class. She said that it gave the class the ability to add their own personalities to the lessons pages.

Reflection:

I agree that there are many benefits to using Interactive Whiteboards, but the teacher does need proper training to go with the device. If the teacher does not have the training, then you have a very expensive projector. The students do enjoy using the technology in my classroom, especially because not all of the teachers use the device. There are so many different uses to the boards where it simply allows for a touchable large sized computer screen. It makes it possible for the teacher to come out from behind the desk and be able to move to the front of the room or have the students do the teaching.

I could also easily see how districts may not want to spend money on Interactive Whiteboards. They could be a passing trend that teachers may not want to invest their time in learning. Teachers may be perfectly happy with the way they present their lessons to their students, which may or may not involve the use of projected technology. With some of the devices costing over $2400 each, districts may not be willing to purchase these for their classrooms and opt for other types of technologies instead.