 easy to use, extremely addicting and most importantly, fun to use. Searching for videos on there can be a task but it is quite an experience once you have found the perfect one. After you find the videos, you can then edit them to make one continuous clip. This is a great idea for teachers who want to make a video about their subject matter. Also, it would be a great student activity/project for them to generate and get their hands dirty doing something creative. There are however some downsides to using Unitedstreaming in school. Streaming the videos takes up massive amounts of bandwidth and essentially locks up the school's Internet system. So just remember, it is always better to download your videos!
One of the newest technologies to emerge in the past year is TeacherTube, an online database of instructional videos. Modeled after the popular video website, YouTube, TeacherTube allows educators to “upload, tag, and share videos worldwide.” These videos range in subject from those instructing teachers how to use new classroom software or how to teach a certain type of lesson to movies that can actually be used in the classroom to help elaborate upon the subject matter. Not only can educators find videos to supplement their lessons, but those who upload their videos often include access to lesson plans, notes, and activities. The fact that this website is fully interactive means other educators and even students can comment on the videos and information and provide constructive criticism, leading to the material on the site constantly being upgraded and improved. This also helps to keep inappropriate videos at bay, by allowing users to flag ones they do not find suitable. Though new, TeacherTube contains a plethora of information for educators new and old.
There are so many new and emerging technologies in the teaching field that it makes it very easy to become overwhelmed with the deluge of information. There is a great quote about teaching that comes from the Chinese philosopher Confucius. He said. “Acquire new knowledge whilst thinking over the old, and you may become a teacher of others” (2000). There is a lot we can take away from this quote and actually apply it to the subject matter that I have been discussing. What Confucius is saying is that you must learn the new ways while retaining the old, then and only then, will you be a teacher.
Multiple Choice Questions
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- (2000, April). Retrieved September 21, 2007, from Teaching Quotes Page Web site: http://www.teachingheart.net/tquotes.htm
- Banister, S. (2006). Testing electronic portfolio systems in teacher education: finding the right fit. Action in Teacher Education, 27(4), 81-90.
- Kurtz, A. (2003). Inspiration 7.0. Multimedia Schools, 10(1), 63-64.
- (2006). Retrieved Sept. 18, 2007, from http://www.blackboard.com/company/press/release.aspx?id=878589
- Reed, R (2003).Streaming technology improves student achievement. T.H.E. Journal. 30(7), 14, 16, 18, 20.
- Illinois State University, College of Education http://www.coe.ilstu.edu/livetext/History.htm
- (2007). Retrieved Nov. 6, 2007, from http://www.teachertube.com/about.php
- Linda Starr. "Technology Integration Ideas that Work." Education World. Aug. 27, 2003. 12 Sept. 2007