Reflection #2

I've learned how to use so many new online tools and to not be intimidated by new technology.  I really have enjoyed using Voice Thread and finding out all the simple ways to control and adapt it.  I would love to experiment and see if I could use Prezi and Voice Thread together. I've also learned a lot from my classmates’ work, especially about the different authors analyzed and new, interesting educational technology concepts currently out there and on the horizon.  For instance, as a whole the class focused more on 21^st century learning.  I enjoyed reading about the alternate views and implementations.  

The things that I have learned this semester were actually from my own author analysis. I first learned about the concept of innovation diffusion, which was really interesting, and I plan to use in my future research. Additionally, I learned a lot about the techniques and aspects of Pecha Kuchas.  I hope to use the important feedback I received about timing. to make me think more about how much time I use when I speak and how to be more concise. 

Based on my final project I hope to propose an online public speaking course to my college administrators. At the community college where I work,  we have a lot of online students and I would love for them to be able to experience my public speaking course online as well.  Additionally, I plan to use a wiki in my future courses in order to let students collaborate and brainstorm on different ideas. 

Blog Post #3

Original Blog Post from the "Innovative Educator":

SUNDAY, JULY 1, 2012

A virtual classroom that’s more intimate than face to face

...In this case, it meant that the instructor had planned for a way for all of the students contribute virtually face-to-face. It also meant that students were focused.  It was as though they were all in the front of the class.  The author who wrote about this experience explained that though it may be hard to believe, there was closer intimacy in this virtual classroom than many of those he’d experienced in the classroom. He attributes that to being the case possibly because of the close-up of each person’s face and he got a sense that each student knew they were expected to contribute which raised the bar for all. ...

My Response:

The virtual classroom seems to be taking on new meaning as programs are generated to allow more interaction and less down time.  Within the realm of producing 21^st century learners, this type of instruction is an excellent way to engage students in a setting where they will most likely find themselves at some point in their careers.  With this classroom, we are strengthening the notion of cooperation and collaboration and allowing students to take on responsibility in the classroom outside of just their grades.  Students are being held responsible for interacting and contributing to the setting as opposed to only listening and regurgitating information.  This post has interested me in looking further into Google Hangout, and finding different ways to incorporate these ideas into my own virtual classroom.

http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2012/07/virtual-classroom-thats-more-intimate.html#comment-form