Podcasts & Videocasts

The introduction of podcasts and videocasts are tools that have a historic core with an updated presentation. The days of sitting down and listening to cassettes or cd's, and watching grainy videos with distorted audio seem to be tools of the past thanks to the introduction of podcasts and videocasts. The podcast is a audio device available through iTunes that allows users to listen to audio on a variety of topics and subjects in education. Many composers of the podcasts are grade school teachers, college professors, and other education administrators. All of the podcasts have the functions to play, pause and even fast forward through subject matter which is a great feature because it allows a teacher to get to key points. The videocast also available through iTunes are very concise and to the point tools for teachers. The subject matter is very diverse,and the videos are less than ten minutes. This makes good sense because you wouldn't want a video to long and lose the attention of your students. The clarity, quality, and clear audio of the videos make them ideal for discussions, research topics, and even quizzes teachers could use them for. Whenever I have an opportunity as a teacher I will use them. Visit http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/, to learn more on videocasts and podasts.

Blogs as Teaching Tools

In my limited experience with blogs I found them to be a excellent way of expressing my personal opinion on several education topics. Blogging is and opportunity for educators to share their professional opinion as well as their professional work with others. There are many teachers that use blogs as a way for students to utilize computer skills, research skills, and organization skills as well. Blogs can be used as an electronic tracker of students assignments also because of the time and date stamp provided. The work that many teachers do can be overlooked at times, so blogging allows them the opportunity to showcase what they're doing on a daily basis. Blogs also can be used as a way for parents to keep track of what is going on in their sons and daughters classrooms. I recommend all teachers to give blogs a try, the results may far exceed your expectations.

Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

Randy Pausch’s last lecture was very enlightening. He had a very humble approach to life, and very thankful to those he encountered along the way. Mr. Pausch was a man that experienced quite a bit in his life. There was a lot of useful advice that Randy gave that anyone can find useful. There were two analogies that he made in reference to a brick wall. In his lecture he stated that “Brick walls are there for a reason; they let us prove how badly we want things, and “let us show our dedication’. The four main teaching points that I acquired from Mr. Pausch’s lecture were to decide if you’re a tigger or a eeyore, never lose the child like wonder, help others, loyalty is a two way street. The first point seems to be centered in deciding whether or not your how to make something happen or wait for something to happen. The second point is simple, never limit your imagination. The third point is what everyone should do every day, help others. Perhaps we all one day will need help so if we help others the good karma will come back to you. The fourth point hinges on the fact that in order to receive loyalty one must remain loyal. These lessons I will teach my students in the future. There were a few life lessons that Randy mentioned that can be applied to both the classroom as well as real life. The life lessons he mentioned were to tell the truth, be earnest, and apologize when you screw up. These particular lessons I was taught at an early age. The funny thing is that even as an adult it is still good advice for an adult. These lessons I am contemplating placing on a plaque and placing on the wall in my classroom, or for me the gymnasium. Randy showed quite a bit of courage during his lecture. He immediately into his lecture let everyone know what his illness was from, and that he would not be talking about certain things. With only a few months to live I would have had the same approach that he had. I would focus on fun and making my final days as memorable as possible. Mr. Pausch mentioned what he called a “head fake”, which is basically getting someone to focus on something very difficult but having fun while their having fun, or by using story telling to help them get through difficult things. I admired the way that he used his last lecture in part as a “head fake” for his three children. Even in his last lecture he was thinking about others and not his self.