Thing 8

These sites continue to boggle my mind. There is such amazing possibility out there for so many different ways to use technology and to collaborate with others. My first stop was to TED where there is a whole catalog of speakers. I of course bookmarked that one. I watched a 12 year old prodigy discuss, with a very big vocabulary, what adults could learn from children.

I then visited SchoolTube. I watched a video about a survey called technology at 10. It was a very well done documentation of a survey that children took of their parents comparing how technology has changed our culture of thinking, expression, communication, and the way we retrieve information. I was very impressed with it. In comparison to teacher tube, I found this site to be more appealing to the eye and my patience. The amount of commercials was bothersome, but I appreciate that is how they can maintain their space.

I have the opportunity to sit in on many classes throughout the years. During that time I have observed some teachers really taking advantage of You tube as a source to use to emphasize a point they are making. For the most part when intentionality is used, and the video carefully screened, the tactic has hit the mark spot on. I have noticed that students seem to appreciate this type of lecture because it not only works to highlight a point, but reaches the children in a language they understand. I find most often in these classes where teachers are utilizing many technological resources, the effect of an orderly class room seem to follow. I chalk this up to raising the bar and expectations for students, and a mutual respect. I hope that makes sense.

I was very happy to see that the first video I watched, the 12 year old prodigy, was using prezi as part of her presentation.