Applying Media in the

ClassroomPhotos, audio,

video, and written text on the

computer screen can all be tools of

learning within the classroom

Menu

Power of Pictures Skype Blogs in

English

ConclusionReferences

Summary of “Power in Pictures”A school community consisting of grades K-8 teachers and students alike, created a image library through photographs. This library was distributed and posted online, e-mailed, and printed out. All contributed images that had significance to the school and community. Each image had a text written about them because it was more fun to write in regards to the community than something else. This was all done to have kids engaged in something more meaningful.

Quote:

“Digital photos served as a memory link for students’ experiences as well as a tangible prompts for descriptive language and tools for organizing a sequence of events.”

- This quote is significant because it sums up how the activity was so successful. When students saw a picture, they were able to quickly define it by what it was in addition to telling their personal experiences with the subject of the image. This built confidence in writing when they were ask to define the picture and document it within the image library.

Reflection-The article mentions “Schema’s Theory” that tells that prior knowledge is

needed for the addition of new knowledge. So in that case, writing about a familiar setting such as their school and community will help them write more broadly in the future. Others reading the text of the image library will be able to form connections.

-Students of younger grades reading the captions created from the older levels were able to build on reading skills quicker. Because the image would be familiar, the vocabulary that described it would be easier to comprehend and relate.

-Having a weekly photographer gave students a sense of responsibility. Communication built in the classroom because students would ask others where the picture was taken; some would ask parents to for pictures they had to contribute.

Summary of “Breaking Communication Boundaries with Skype”

The article from the Tahlequah Daily Press speaks of an emerging technology of Skype and how it is being utilized in the classroom. Skype, created in 2003, is a program available for download that allows free audio and video calls from across the world. A technology in education teacher from Northeastern State University takes advantage of the system.

Quote:

“One of our class discussions is how you can use Skype in a classroom. If you wanted to talk to an archaeologist out on a dig, or talk to a classroom in China, you can.”

-This is a quote within a quote; Kevin Stretch, a technology in education professor, is describing the usefulness of Skype. Being that the only things needed to chat is a camera on your laptop and a wifi connection, students of all ages can communicate with unique people of varied cultures and careers.

Reflection-I’ve used Skype myself for about a year, but never thought of the possibilities

of the service. I ‘skype’ fellow college friends who have been using the program since obtaining their laptops. Video calls are made in addition to the easy chat system which is like AIM messenger system, but more reliable than Facebook’s chat.

-The article tells that Skype makes up 12% of the world’s international calls. International calls come with an optional, but fair fee. Skype could quickly grow into the larger, most popular system and become a household name.

-The technology in education teacher uses the program as a topic of discussion and as a tool to communicate with his very own class. The students are able to download Skype and message or call the the teacher if they have any questions on a current assignment.

Summary of “Theoretical and Practical Applications of Emergent-Technology in

ELT Classrooms; How The Blog Can Change English Language Teaching”

Educational website, Literacy News, features a recent essay that presents how blogs can be a technology relevant in the English classroom. The essay begins by illustrating the classic English classroom and teaching methods by having the teacher speak and students doing a lot of writing. It is already known that typing is a skill needed in today’s

world, so why not apply both typing and English education through

blogging.

Quote

“It is paramount for students to have a record of their thoughts and their progress as a writer and user of English. The advent of computers, PDA, mobile phones, e-mail, and the Internet usher in a new world of recording ones thoughts”

-The quote speaks for itself. Paper and pencil almost seems like the Stone Age. This especially true as I’ve found in college because I’m always turning in typed assignments via internet. Papers can be easily lost, but hopefully one wouldn’t go misplacing their computer anytime for it can be a collection of typed thoughts. Typed ideas can also have a spot on a blog website so it is never lost. Students should utilize the technology available to hold their ideas and present them to others.

Reflection

- The essay mentions the addictiveness of blogging and journaling. Teachers will never see it as a bad thing that students are enjoying writing on their own. Of course, when students are doing more and more often, the skills will grow and grow.

- Feedback can come quickly with the comments on such blog

websites. Students and teachers alike can give a reflection on the work, similar to how this class works.

- A point is made in the writing that using the internet to blog needs to be handled with care. Precautions must be taken to set up a private group of some sort. Obviously, this all must be done on the same blogging website. It needs to stay as a learning community and not become a social network.

Conclusion

Whether it be a photo, audio, live video, or a collection of typed texts on an Internet format, different types of media seen and used in everyday life can be a learning tool in the classroom. Using such media can help overcome obstacles by taking a different approach to them. These technologies and methods presented can all be confidence boosters when not only accomplishing the tool, but also the subject integrated with it. The activities and programs at hand are used for our person enjoyment and can be applied to the classroom as well.

References• Gabriel, R., & Gabriel, M. (2010). Power in Pictures: How a Schoolwide

Photo Library Can Build a Community of Readers and Writers. Reading Teacher, 63(8), 679-682. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database June 22, 2010

• Ridge, B. (2010, June 23). Breaking Communication Barriers Using Skype. Tahlequah Daily Press. Retrieved June 23, 2010

• Theoretical and Practical Applications of Emergent-Technology in ELT Classrooms; How The Blog Can Change English Language Teaching (2010, June 16). Retrieved June 23, 2010