Assignment 2 (Third post)

Interactive Whiteboards (IWB)

·         IWB are an evolution to the traditional whiteboard/chalkboard with a digital, interactive instructional tool. IWB allow educators to show anything that can be presented on a computer desktop and also provide technology to enable a number of interactive features. They can be used by teachers to develop multimedia presentations, games, interactive simulations and classroom activities. The touch-sensitive surface of an IWB allows students to manipulate materials, encouraging active and engaged learning.

·         I would use this technology in the classroom to develop challenging interactive activities to engage students which I feel will foster greater learning. Students will have opertinuties to have input with their learning in the sense that they will make correct and incorrect decisions. For example while learning pump operations the student will see exactly what happens as a result of making changes to variables in real time directly in front of them.

·         Regular power point technology can be used with IWB but the possibilities here are endless. Enhancing power point, video, data and so on is what this technology is all about.  Students will be more interested in learning since they can have direct input with the lesson. Disadvantages would include the cost of IWB, instructor and student familiarization with the device, component troubles and power failure. Finally instructors will exercise caution not to blind students with bells and whistles but use this tool to its full advantage by assisting in the learning process.                                                   

Retrieved on October 10, 2011
http://archive.cyark.org/the-digital-classroom-using-interactive-whiteboards-with-the-cyark-website-blog?gclid=CMiFmOOT1asCFUgZQgodGx3RPQ

Assignment 2 (Second post)

Adobe Presenter 7

·         Adobe Presenter 7 is software which allows the instructor to enhance existing power point presentations. Some say death by power point, well not anymore. Most often this tool would be used for online distant courses where by more flavor would be added to presentations adding excitement and further indebt information. This would bridge the gap between classroom instruction and distance education.

·         I would incorporate this software into all online courses in which I use power point. This is easily done once the software is purchased and installed. It allows for further explanation to each slide by instructor narration. It is not in real time but this pre-recording can be perfect due to editing therefore absolutely nothing is accidentally missed or left out. Students can then review a lesson as many times as they need to learn the objective which is sometimes a disadvantage in class room teaching. Another valuable use would be when a student misses a lesson; the instructor just gives the student the lesson for viewing.

·         Advantages of this software include the ability to import rich animations, edit video in any format, and easily create professional flash technology–based presentations and self-paced courses complete with narration and interactivity. The instructor can record and edit high-quality audio to each slide as if instructing in front of the class. If need be quizzes can also be incorporated to the lessons. Disadvantages are that this software is not free, it costs around five hundred dollars but it is a onetime purchase and it is only the instructor who needs it. There is a thirty day free trial if anyone wishes to try it out.

Retrieved on October 10, 2011
http://www.adobe.com/products/presenter/

Assignment 2 (First Post )

This assignment involves reserching new and emerging technologies that are being used in the field of education. Elluminate Live is the first of three Emerging Technologies that I will present for this assignment. There are many new emerging technologies developed every day but I chose these because of their benefits that you will read below.

Elluminate Live

·         This technology is a tool which has many applications. It is where the moderator, which most times is the instructor, invites the students to participate in a session. The students will follow the link and join in. This technology is interactive in real time with audio and video if so desired. The lesson to be taught can be viewed with feedback from the instructor. It really is a live classroom on line.

·         If a course is going to be taught online this tool can be used almost exclusively. It provides a real time link between all students and instructors which many students prefer for distance courses. All information pertaining to the course can be added such as power point, video, data, guest speakers, and so on. The options are endless and only limited by the imagination of the instructor/mediator.

·         Advantages would include the benefits of being face to face, interactive in real time, with students anywhere in the world that has Internet access. Disadvantages are minor things such as students must have a camera, microphone, Internet and a computer. Also the instructor would have to be familiar with this technology ahead of time to be able to use it, but there are easy to follow tutorials on this process. One other disadvantage is students would all have to be available at the same time to participate yet if a session is missed one can go back and view a recorded session.

 Retrieved October 9,2011 from
 http://www.elluminate.com/Services/Training/Elluminate_Live!/?id=418