Download: The advantage of a downloaded video is its location. Now that it's stored on your computer, network, or flash drive you do not have to worry about the Internet connection being slow (or down) during class time. For this reason, most teachers choose the download method. Follow these steps:
Great!... but when I double click on the downloaded video, my computer cannot open it. Well, unlike UnitedStreaming, these videos are downloaded in a format called Flash (.flv). This means your computer needs a Flash video player. Download the free player by doing the following:
The FLV Player is now installed. Open the player by doing the following:
Embed: The suggestion above works great, but what if you want to post the video on your TeacherWeb site? YouTube and GoogleVideo both give the option of "embedding" videos to websites and blogs. This means the video will play directly from your webpage without seeing other posted videos that could distract students' attention. To embed a video, do the following:
If you've located a video, but all of this downloading and embedding seems too hard... give me a call. I'd be glad to guide you through the process.
You may have noticed this month's newsletter has a slightly different look. I have written a few articles this school year about the benefits of web 2.0, blogging, RSS, etc. but I've been communicating through a "static" webpage. So I thought it was time for me to "walk the talk" and modify the newsletter into a blog format. The benefits?
You will notice that all previous articles have been transfered to this blog as well. Take a look around, leave a comment or two, and feel free to contact me if blogging in your classroom interests you.
Web 2.0, also known as the “read/write web,” has been an ongoing series in the past two issues. In last month’s article, blogging was explained as an online journal about a particular topic that combines text, images, and links. Unlike most web pages, a blog is regularly updated. So when you find one with useful information, it can become a valuable resource for current information. Like a web page, it can easily be bookmarked; but what happens when you find 10 or more blogs that you want to track? Regularly checking for updated content would be too time-consuming. What you really need is a tool that monitors the sites automatically… you need syndication, something simple... really simple!
Introducing RSS (Really Simple Syndication). If you have read a blog, news article on the web, or have been on the Internet in the last two years, you have probably seen some form of RSS icon (see samples to the left). These icons let you know that the web site has a “feed” (a special format) that allows a “feed reader” (a special program) to track updates on that specific page. In the past I have promoted Bloglines.com as the feed reader of choice, but Google has recently released Google Reader which is quickly gaining popularity with its clean, fast, and easy-to-use interface. As they put it, “It’s like your inbox, for the web.” Take a quick Google Reader tour to learn more.
**Recent Update** Is it really that important to learn about Web 2.0? Pick up the latest issue of TIME magazine... "2006 Person of the Year - You." Web 2.0 has allowed people to make the shift from "consumers" of information to "creators" of it. Technology is bringing collaboration to a whole new level; changing the way we work, play, and live. We have seen a tremendous amount of change in our lifetime... imagine what our students will see! The TIME article provides of number of examples that demonstrate how Web 2.0 is changing the way we perceive information.
Last month’s newsletter introduced the Internet community’s increasingly popular buzzword – Web 2.0. Broadband access has increased the speed of the Internet allowing users to be more than just consumers of information; they are now contributors in an interactive environment. Our students (digital natives) have gravitated toward this technology because it gives them a platform to communicate, collaborate, express ideas, and create content. This month, we’ll take a look at one of the fastest growing categories of Web 2.0… Blogging.
The term blog comes from the words web log. Typically, a blog is an online journal about a particular subject; it combines text, images, and links to other blogs or web pages. An important aspect of a blog is the ability for viewers to leave comments. Most blogs are open for the world to see, but the creator can also permit access to only selected users, such as family and friends. Technorati, the “Google” of blog search engines, currently tracks over 60 million blogs!
Why is this important for educators? Two reasons… First, finding the right blogs can help connect teachers with other professionals in their subject area, maybe a teacher in another state or an expert in a specific field of study. Second, blogs can engage students in reading and writing activities that extend beyond the class period.
Millions of blogs, some good, some great, some worthless… how can a teacher find one that is worth reading? For starters, Technorati (mentioned above) is a search engine for finding blogs about a variety of topics and Answers.com has a list of blogs for specific subjects. Discovery Education and eSchool News recently announced the 2006 Education Blog Awards; the winners are:
If you are interested in having your students blog, there are a number of free tools available. Don’t select a blog based on popularity or even ease of use. The most important consideration should be student safety. Using a blog that is open for the world to see might be important to reach the learning objectives; conversing with an expert in a particular field of study, for example. If you are working with middle school students, a tool that has more security features might be a better choice. I encourage you to consider blogging in your classroom and contact me for additional information.
