Digital Video

Digital videos are a great tool that can be used in the classroom. They are great because they can include audio, pictures, video, graphs and pretty much anything else you would want to include.

There are many ways that digital video can be incorporated into the classroom. Firstly a teacher can create a digital video at the start of the unit to show students an issue or provide engaging information. The other way which I prefer is for students to become involved in the making of digital videos as a way of documenting their journey through a unit of work. When the unit of work is finished students create a video in small groups and show their own interpretation of the unit.

There are many different programs that can be used to make digital videos but I prefer to use Windows Movie Maker. I prefer it to other programs because it is easy to insert pictures and video clips along the timeline. I have created a short movie that is a collection of last summers adventures with my friends to demonstrate my skills or lack of skills in movie making. ENJOY!

Changing opinions

During my participation in this online blog I have noticed that my opinions are changing towards online education tools. I used to believe that traditional "websites" were the only way to go. Meaning the content was added by one person and it was secure. Since using blogs and WIKIS I can now see the many more advantages that these sites can offer students. They are able to engage with the site by being able to upload information, pictures, video and much more. This in turn enables students to work collaboratively on projects to achieve learning outcomes.

Has anyone else seen a change in their ideas towards online education tools?

Weebly websites

Using the skills that I have learnt creating WIKIS and blogs the process of creating a website was not very difficult. Websites are a great way of sharing information with students but also the world. Websites differ from WIKIS in the way that the creator can only edit the website. WIKIS can be edited by anyone.

The weebly website was very straightforward to use. However I did find it frustrating that I wasn't able to add a video clip. This apparent privilege would cost me $40, no thanks weebly. Websites are useful because a teacher can add information to it and it is secure from other people editing the site. The problem with this that I can see is that students will be unable to engage with the site as it is just pictures and words usually. I believe a successful website for students would need to include WebQuests interactive games and activities that students can become involved with.

Does anyone have similar thoughts to this?

Creating a WIKI using Wetpaint.com

It has taken a few years but I finally have a WIKI, well that isn't entirely true. I tried to create a WIKI using WIKISPACES but got quite sick of all the pop up windows and being unable to use the full functions as I am not a paying customer.

I ended up using Wetpaint which was quite a simple process. The step by step instructions where easy to follow and the templates gave my page a professional look. Adding comments, videos and pictures is even easier because a user can search YouTube or other websites and add content whilst still editing WIKI.

I have created a PMI chart of WIKIS below:

PLUS	MINUS	INTERESTING
Easy to create and update Great opportunity for collaborative learning. Can be edited by anyone. Can be created on any topic. Video, audio and pictures can be uploaded. Students can access in and out of classroom. Draws on expertise on a large group of people. RSS Feeds. Forums.	Students may not engage in content and in turn may not achieve learning outcomes. Inappropriate postings. Can be difficult to supervise students. Can be used to post misinformation on a topic. Students may become sidetracked and search other sites.	Anyone can add to and edit site. Can be locked from public access. Social networking links.

I am sure I have missed some obvious points, if you can think of any let me know. If this was only a WIKI you could add it yourself!!!

In an educational context Wikis are a great tool for presenting knowledge to an audience. Pages can be designed using many different ICTs to engage the audience but also to show understandings of a topic. They can be accessed using the Internet so they are available to a much wider audience. Students could compare their class Wikis with students from other schools.

My Wetpaint page can be found at the following address:

http://nickstechnologyintheclassroom.wetpaint.com/