Chapter 7 Reflection

In a world where technology is being learned at younger ages year by year communicating with technologies is an important aspect students need to learn. Students need to learn how to exchange ideas with discussion boards, exchange ideas with interactive chats and messaging, make connections through videoconferencing, and how to broadcast with podcasts and internet radio.

While having discussions online reduces some aspects of communication (body language, tone of voice, accents, dialects, pace, pauses, etc. it is a good way to communicate because authors will take more time to make sure they are communicating clearly. Other positive aspects in communicating through technology is that it is more organized - it can be organized by date, sender, topic, etc. Communicating through technology can also mean talking with people outside the classroom and possibly across the world. This provides multiple opportunities to research topics and develop arguments thoroughly. Asynchronous discussions support classroom environments in many ways. Examples are exposure to different cultures, ideas, and partnerships. They can reinforce different subjects (second languages, history, etc.).

Exchanging ideas synchronously with interactive chats and messaging are great for classrooms because of all the previous reasons as listed in asynchronous communications however, with this they can receive real time feedback to their ideas. Chats and instant messages are two ways to do this. Instant messaging is offered thorough Yahoo!, Google, AIM, Skype, and MSN. These include "buddy lists" and students can communicate with one another. IM is also utilized outside of the classroom for informal use.

Making connections through videoconferencing is a great way to involve experts in the classroom. Students will benefit from experts knowledge without the added cost of having travel and lodging to hear from the same expert. This is a cost effective way to involve people into the classroom from the outside world. This is also a great way for students to see what they are learning in the outside world used in the real world. For any computer, a camera can be purchased and plugged in via USB cable. Microphones can also be bought and used if it is not already on the computer. Videoconferencing should always be used as a support and not as a sole way of introducing and teaching the material.

Broadcasting with podcasts and radio conferencing are great ways to communicate as well. Streaming audio audios are in real time and can be delivered. Most people listen to the radio station online. Podcasting is recorded and played an infinite amount of times. This lets anyone become an director/ producer of an audio and/or video content. Podcasts can be downloaded, listened to, and created easily. I tunes provides a user friendly way to create podcasts. In the classroom this is great becuase it will help students use multi-dimensional concepts and cognitive levels to create one. It will also help build a community, and work in groups. Podcasts help with meaningful curriculum integration. Radio WillowWeb is a great example of a elementary school using podcasts as an aid to teaching.