Podcasting

Simply defined, podcasting is the making and use of a podcast. Now to define the definition: a podcast is an audio file that can be downloaded and stored as an MP3 file. Many churches nowadays are utilizing the podcasting technology and are posting podcasts of sermons on their websites. Podcasting is another mode of storing and/or sharing audio in a way that facilitates easy access.
Someday in my very own classroom I plan on using podcasts in many different ways. First of all, podcasts will be useful to students who are audio learners. If I teach a mostly visual lesson than I could instruct audio learners to listen to a podcast on the very same topic to reinforce what they learned in the initial lesson. Secondly, I could post a podcast on the class website that accompanies a worksheet and ask the students to listen to the podcast and fill out the worksheet as homework. My third idea was that I could post a podcast on the class website as an alternative communication option with my student's parents.
Pros:
1) Podcasts are an advantage in the classroom because they appeal to the audio learners.
2) Podcasts are handy because they can be accessed from any location.
3)Podcasts can be based on any subject.
Cons:
1)When used as a step-by-step/how-to instructive aid, the help is only auditory and there are no visuals to further explain the process. That means that the words must be thorough and well thought out so that they transmit exactly what they are meant to.
2)In order to podcast or listen to a podcast, one must have access to a computer.
3) Podcasting is solely visual and opens the door for students to get distracted, having nothing to occupy their hands with.

Computer Ethics

Ethics is a topic with an ever expanding application. Not only is ethics a conversation about the wrong in lying, stealing, and cheating now it is a conversation that involves technology as well. My textbook Integrating Technology and Digital Media in the Classroom defines computer ethics as "the moral guidelines that govern the use of computers, networks, and information systems" (page 484). Computer ethics involves topics such as piracy, information privacy, copyright, and posting objectionable material online.
Being a teacher means setting a positive example for my students in every way so I will have to watch carefully to make sure that myself and my classroom uphold strict policies on ethics. Translation: my students and I will always cite our sources, we will never download songs, videos, etc without double checking that they are free and for our consumption, and thirdly we will only view and post appropriate information that relates to what we are learning.
In this case it is always better in the long run to follow the code of ethics so I will save the best for last:
Cons of computer ethics:
1)It is more costly to download songs and videos the honest way when pirated versions can usually be found for free.
2)Teaching students computer ethics and how valuable upholding them will take time but a life lesson such as this will forever be necessary.
Pros of computer ethics:
1) Teaching computer ethics sets a good example for students that they can apply to all other areas of ethics.
2)As a side note, students will learn how to cite sources and how to give proper credit where credit is due.
Following computer ethics may be harder but it will definitely be worth it in the long run.

Virtual Tours

Virtual tours are exactly what their name claims them to be. Instead of going to a museum, you could go online to the museum's website and "walk through" an exhibit; that would be considered a virtual tour. Virtual tours are a digital representation of a real exhibit, animal dissection, etc.
The pros of virtual tours:
1) They allow students to tour places for free and in less time.
2) Virtual tours are useful for reviewing something that has already been seen.
The cons of virtual tours:
1) They lack the hands-on aspect of real life.
2) Virtual tours are completely dependent on technology, if it fails then virtual tours cannot take place.
I like the idea of virtual tours because they have the possibility to expand my future student's horizons and give them experiences the school budget would not otherwise allow. They are a useful tool but should not be depended on for every occasion; in some circumstances real life, hands-on experiences are necessary.

Teacher Web Pages

Today in Instructional Technology class we learned about teacher web pages. Everyone in the class has experienced them before but from the perspective of the student instead of the perspective of the teacher. Now we get to explore different teacher's websites and critique them based on our opinion of what we like and what changes we would make. The purpose behind teacher web pages are to include parents, grandparents, etc in the process of their student learning. Teacher websites display class projects but also keep track of assignments and due dates.
The pros of using a class page:
1) This allows parents to hold students accountable for homework and projects and transfers some of the pressure of that job from the teacher to the parent.
2) Websites give parents a way to be more hands-on and proactive about their child's education.
The Cons:
1) This gives parents a much larger view of all that goes on in the classroom possibly giving them more to complain about.
2) Updating a website daily could take up alot of time; teachers have enough on their plates already.
Even though teacher web pages have a few downsides I am looking forward to making one when I am a teacher. I found the cutest web page tonight and it got me excited to be a cute elementary school teacher with a fun, interactive website. Seriously though, the main reason I would keep up a web page is to fend off parent confusion and misinformation. My job will be much easier if I keep the parents happy.