Podcasting with Gabcast

Image: http://flickr.com/photos/mkeefe/2349283746/
License:http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

Gabcast is a fun way to record podcasts from anywhere you have a cell phone connection. Today's blog will be in audio. Click the player below to listen.

Gabcast! Dan's Tech Assignments #3

Bookmarks, tagging, and organization.

Image: http://flickr.com/photos/rintakumpu/576506854/
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

Today I was introduce to some great tools. del.icio.us, and Flickr.

The ability to store and share my Bookmarks (in del.icio.us) and my photos (in Flickr) and access them anywhere on the web is very nice. The thing I am not entirely convinced about is the process of tagging.

I am old school when it comes to organization. I like files and folders and outlined lists. Tagging is going to take some getting used to. The idea of adding labels on the fly, then searching for them later is foreign to me. In just the short time I've worked with it, I can see the potential once I reach a critical mass of saved information. This will be another interesting journey for the summer!

What is this Instrument? 6

OK, here's a tough one.
















Image: http://flickr.com/photos/celesteh/350875811/in/photostream/
Licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

Good luck on this one! (And try to answer before you click the picture link) :-)

What can you use wikis for?

The short answer is, everything! So now, let's get specific.

Teacher uses:
Collaboration with peers to improve ongoing learning. Visit The Musical Mind for a great example of collaboration. Dr. Zinck's site let's music educators contribute to expand each other's knowledge and understanding.

To organize classroom materials in a space that is accessible anywhere there is a web connection. This also allows your students to access the information anywhere and stay current with classwork.

Student uses:
Staying current with class work (see above!)

Organizing thoughts and classwork for later use, again with easy access from any web connection.

Paperless assignments that can be turned in anytime.

Collaboration with students across the globe. See Vicki Davis' Flat Classroom Project for a fantastic example.

Blogs in Instruction

How can we use blogs to help our students learn? I'll try to explore a few ideas here.

1. Classroom organization.
While I personally think that wikis are the way to go for organizing class materials, I found a great music ed blog that does the same thing. Have a look at Do-Re-Mi and see what you think. Mrs. Bradfuhrer has set up a very nice place for her students to go and expand on what is taught in her class.

2. Publishing.
Blogs can let your students publish, instantly, and be seen all over the world. This is great exposure, and it has the benefit of getting them to check their work! Take a look at Mighty Writers for some ideas on this.

3.Creative Outlet
Blogging can be a great way to get students to open up and contribute. This was a very moving story I found at Teacher Magazine (you may have to register to view it). Blogging can give students who are shy, introverted, or just 'different' a way to express themselves to their peers without the on-the-spot pressure of speaking in class.