Video Conferencing

I love video conferencing! In class on Thursday we did a video conference with the Tyrrell Museum and it was fantastic!  What a great way to incorporate technology into the classroom. Video conferencing is fun, engaging, and interactive and allows students’ access to learning and activities that would not be possible otherwise. As Colin from the Tyrrell Museum emphasized, innovation, interaction and information are three important aspects of a successful video conference and I couldn’t agree more.

While navigating through some of the sites posted on our course website, I came across some great ideas for incorporating video conferencing into the classroom. One idea I really like is having student debates through video conferencing allowing students to interact with other students around the world. I also found a video conference event in honour of Remembrance Day where students are able to interact with a member of the Canadian Forces. Another great use for video conferencing is using it to connect students with experts around the world. Video conferencing allows students to watch and listen to lectures, to ask questions, to view how experts work in their fields, and to witness events or activities that students would not have the opportunity to learn about without the use of video conferencing. Not only is video conferencing beneficial for students, it is also beneficial for teachers. Through video conferencing, teachers can access a wide variety of professional development seminars as well.

One potential drawback of video conferencing is the cost. To participate in a video conference with the Tyrrell Museum for example, it costs $125.00. While I absolutely believe that the educational value of the programs are worth the cost, many schools are experiencing reduced budgets and cost cuts. If this is the case however, video conferencing activities can be set up between classrooms around the world without cost and video conferencing sessions that are free of charge can also be utilized.

I believe video conferencing is an effective use of technology and I am excited to use it in my own classroom one day! Imagine the possibilities video conferencing opens up for learning in the classroom!

Web Awareness Concept Map

Grade Two Social Studies: Communities in Canada

Grade Two Social Studies: Communities in Canada

Science Alberta (2010). How to Build a Tipi. Retrieved October 5, 2010, from http://www.wonderville.ca/v1/activities/tipi/tipi.html

In this activity, we are integrating technology into the Grade Two Social Studies curriculum! This activity is based on Aboriginal communities and allows students the chance to learn about teepee raisings, how and why they are set up the way they are, and the materials needed to do so. Students get the chance to work independently in the computer lab and work at their own pace building and learning about teepee raisings.

2.2 A Community in the Past

General Outcome:

 Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how a community emerged, and of how the various interactions and cooperation among peoples ensure the continued growth and vitality of the community.

Specific Outcomes:

Students will:

2.2.6 Analyze how the community being studied emerged, by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions for inquiry:

• What characteristics define their community? (CC, I)

• What is unique about their community? (CC, I)

• What are the origins of their community? (TCC)

• What were the reasons for the establishment of their community (e.g., original fur trade fort, original inhabitants)? (CC, TCC)

• What individuals or groups contributed to the development of their community? (CC, TCC)

ICT Outcomes:

C6- Students will use technology to investigate and/or solve problems

C7- Students will use electronic research techniques to construct personal knowledge and meaning

F6- Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of the operating skills required in a variety of technologies

Rationale for Computer Integration:

Technology in this lesson is used as a tool for learning. In most situations, students will not have the chance to watch the process of a teepee raising or have the chance to participate in setting one up. In this activity, not only do the students get to participate in a hands on activity, they are also involved in listening as the story of the teepee setup is told. The children have the chance to learn about why teepees are set up the way they are, why they look the way they do, and why specific materials are used. Not only is the activity auditory, visually stimulating, and interactive, but the children are also building their knowledge base about Aboriginal communities. The students have the chance to manipulate the mouse in order to choose materials and build their own teepee all the while becoming more technologically confident. The children can work at their own pace and their own computer literacy level, therefore allowing for differentiated instruction. This activity is one that could not be done in the classroom without the use of technology so I believe it to be a very effective use of technology integration!

What is Effective Technology Integration for 21st Century Learners?

This week our assignment is to post on our blog about effective technology integration for 21^st century learners. After doing some reading I am learning that effective technology integration is achieved when it is used to support curricular goals. It is most effective to integrate technology into daily activities and classroom practices so that it becomes part of the norm for student learning. What I discovered on the Edutopia website is that technology integration becomes effective when it supports four specific aspects of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts (2008). Technology can help make learning more engaging and fun especially for students who don’t respond to typical methods of teaching. The technical world allows students and teachers access to knowledge, materials, and resources that might not be available to them in the classroom otherwise.

Technology allows students and teachers access to resources such as webinars. Webinars are effective in the classroom because they allow students the chance to interact with other students online and from other locations. Webinars can be effective for teachers’ use as well by allowing access to professional development seminars from other places in the world. This interconnectivity gives students and teachers the ability to make use of many different resources and sources of knowledge.  

One of the things I love about technology in the classroom is that it allows students to be very interactive. Technology allows students to collaborate on projects and to share the information they have collected in very creative ways. Students can create a webpage or blog and post their project or information online for their fellow students to access. They can create videos, slide shows, and powerpoints that allow them to display their individuality and creativity in a way that other students can view and access. While these uses of technology are very effective, they also really help to make learning fun!

There are so many ways technology can be effectively integrated into the classroom. In my post I have only touched on a few but the possibilities are literally endless. I wonder what kinds of new technology will be available to students and teachers in ten years?

Works Cited

Edutopia Staff. (2008). Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum?: The Reasons Are Many. Retrieved September 1, 2010, http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction

Route 21. (2007). Self Direction/Geography and History: How Can Initiative and Self-Direction Skills Support Geography and History Curriculum at the K-5 Level? Retrieved September 1, 2010,http://www.p21.org/route21/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26&Itemid=172

Here is a link to my powerpoint:

http://www.slideshare.net/acoliver55/powerpointfor-blog

My First Blogging Experience!

Hopefully this is working as I type! I have never blogged before and am a little apprehensive using something so unfamiliar to me. My name is Amanda and I am now a blogger! However, I am starting to realize that I don't know nearly as much about computers and their capabilities as I thought I did!


While reading through the course material and accessing available links, I'm realizing how effective the use of technology is becoming in the teaching and learning environment. During class while I was trying not to panic about my apparent lack of knowledge in the blogging sphere, I came to realize that to use technology as an effective teaching tool does not mean that I need to be an expert using it myself. Today's world of education already feels so different from what I experienced as a child. These days, children grow up using technology that I may never have experienced and as such are very capable of exploring and expanding different uses of technology once they have the basic idea. I have a feeling that as a teacher I will be able to learn a lot from my students by observing how they interact with technology themselves. I really like the idea of using blogging in the classroom for student journals and as a forum for homework assignments or the class syllabus. I think blogging also has great potential as a place for students to find or post links to information and resources that will benefit or are of interest to them. Blogging and other such technology is something I would feel comfortable using in a classroom once I gain a little more experience using it myself. I can definitely see the possibilities!