EDUC 514 Final Blog

I have learned so much over the past few weeks! It has been an extremely interesting class, learning about the elements of video on the iPad and such. It brought back memories of when I was a kid and played on my dad's pentium 286 computer (the one we had to pay extra to install a cd rom!). There was a game that was based on Nickelodeon channel's ability to edit videos in a funny way. It included very choppy videos of the goo drop (circa 1995) and audio tracks that you could blend together and could make a video.  I think it is so fascinating that we have gone from a program like this, archaic and basic, to what we have now with the iPad videos. Now kids can create nearly Hollywood quality films with very little effort. It is truly incredible how far we have advanced!

EDUC 514 Apps

In the last week or two, you've learned a few new tools. Write how you could specifically utilize screencasting, special FX, or Animoto into your current or future classroom. How can you make these tools relevant to your educational situation?

I believe that any of these three tools can be especially useful for the classroom. All three apps can provide an extra bit of fun (especially the special fx app) to any lesson. Screencasting is especially helpful as the videos can be posted to a class website and assist the students with a topic. 

Special FX is essentially used to add a bit more fun to a video. Animoto is great as well. I think the goal with all three of these apps is to use them wisely. The obvious app that has little educational use is the special fx app. The special fx app can add to an educational video however. 

There is another way to use these apps as well and that is to supplement your in-class educational program. These videos can be shown during an in-class lesson in order to add to that lesson. Students can also use all three apps as a part of making a review or content video demonstrating their knowledge. So, there are a number of ways in which these can be used, however, with moderation, they should never replace traditional teaching, but, rather compliment it. 

EDUC 514 Interesting Education Tech!

I think that the advancements in technology are fascinating in the realm of the education. I really enjoyed the Doceri. The idea of an interactive whiteboard and recording is a great thing.  When working with Doceri, i did have a few challenges, like how to upload the video to youtube and the like. However, after a while, I was able to figure the out within another screen. my students are very excited to use this program and so am I. Once I figure out more of the program I will be doing a staff training as well as a student training regarding the program and it's myriad of uses.