Value of YouTube and TeacherTube

As a teacher, I have become more and more aware of the liability that is placed upon teachers when he/she chooses to use YouTube and TeacherTube in the classroom. As with any resource, previewing, determining implications from use, and then more previewing must be in effect in order to assure that what K – 12 students are seeing and hearing are beneficial academically and appropriate in every way. In many districts, protocol is to have all videos approved by a committee in order to make sure the videos are appropriate and to alleviate some of the guesswork for teachers who may, or may not recognize the line between appropriate and inappropriate. As with any resource used within the classroom, care must be taken to assure appropriateness for the audience.

The use of technology within the classroom is a hot topic on many fronts. From schools, which no longer allow students or teachers to have access to the internet, to schools that all students and teachers to “Bring You Own Technology” and everything in between. Teachers, students, and parents are sometimes split on whether there is a need for more or less technology. Anderson (2007), refers to the lack of student motivation once they become used to having technology readily available in the school setting and it is no longer a novice idea. I have seen just the opposite. By allowing students to use technology, many times at a rate much more expertly than teachers, students become more excited about their learning and are willing to take more risks in assignments.

As a teacher, I do not know how I would plan, prepare, and implement lessons without the use of online videos such as those found in YouTube and Google. Recently, my work experience has been with faculty and staff at various schools. There are many available resources to inspire and inform that are appropriate for all age groups. One of my favorite videos is that of Dalton Sherman, a 10 year old student speaking to the faculty and staff at the Dallas School District Convocation 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAMLOnSNwzA. This video is inspiring and uplifting. It reminds me of why I teach and who is depending on me. By using this video in presentations, I am able to illicit many different feelings in teachers and give them a student’s view of educators.

I have never used TeacherTube in a presentation; however, I recently found the above listed YouTube also listed as a TeacherTube. I did not realize it was crosslisted. Having spent time looking at various videos, I think that I will be more inclined to go to it first rather than to YouTube. It is filled with numerous videos that can be used in most in content areas.

Just as with any resource, YouTube and TeacherTube must be used appropriately and must be previewed prior to use. It is one way I can take my students to various places, allow them to meet different people, and help them to see the world in a new way even if that world is just a state away. The lack of resources available to invite in speakers, take field trips, and in general see the world, gives rise to the use of more and more technology. Additionally, with knowledge increasing at such an incredible rate, I am able to use videos to keep myself and my students up to date, or more up to date, on content knowledge. My vote is for technology in the classroom, including YouTube and Teacher Tube.

Anderson, P. (2007). What is Web 2.0? Ideas, technologies and implications for education. JISC

Technology & Standards Watch. Retrieved from http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/techwatch/tsw0701b.pdf.

DallasSchoolsTV. (2008, August 22). Dalton Sherman. Retrieved February 25, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com

/watch?v=HAMLOnSNwzA.

Voice Threads and Web 2.0

Voice Threads have taken me by surprise this week. I had no idea how simple and effective they were to create and present content. I was "challenged" to create a voice thread and post it for my classmates to view and comment on. The initial sign up was very easy. A short application for a free account and within minutes, I was busy adding pictures and checking out the drawing tool to doodle.

This podcast technology is part of the Web 2.0 technologies that are changing the way students learn and teachers teach. Web 2.0 is not a particular program, but instead, a way of allowing technology to be both integrative and responsive. With the changes to web applications, many more options are available to students and teachers. Those options include, but are not limited to, blogs, wikis, podcasts, and social networking sites. As the workplace becomes more globalized, it is necessary to continue to provide opportunities for students and teachers to help become more technologically savvy. These skills will help students to better complete with students from around the world. According to Harris and Rea (2009), "Most Web 2.0 technologies have aspects of collaboration and competition. They allow students to work together, or to compete with one another on projects. When Web 2.0 and virtual World technologies are used for collaboration and competition in the classroom, learning can increase."

I hope that you will go to www.voicethread.com and start creating!


Harris, A. L., & Rea, A. (2009). Web 2.0 and virtual world technologies: A growing impact on IS Education. Journal of Information
Systems Education, 20(2), 137-144. Retrieved from http://learningtechworld.com/Documents/Virtual%20World%20Technologies.pdf.

Web 1.0 to Web 2.0

This post is an assignment for Dr. Hsiao

A paradigm shift has occurred from the introduction of Web 1.0 to Web 2.0. This shift is on par with the shift from typewriters to word processors. The exception to this frame of thinking is that typewriters and word processors are tangible and Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 designs are intangible. Working with tasks electronically and in different ways are what sets each web design apart from the other. From the time computers were introduced, there was an excitement about how information could be processed. Being able to use a word processing program to write a manuscript, was like changing from darkness to daylight in terms of typing. The advancement from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 is adding more options for web users.

Basic designs of Web 1.0 include reading information, working as an individual, and the completion of personal websites. Web 2.0 upped the stakes to include reading and writing information, working in communities and creating and working in blogs. These changes allow for the growth of technological advances on a larger scale due to the inclusion of others on projects through applications such as Google Docs and Skype. Each allows for projects to be worked on by multiple people all over the world. The implications for education are endless.

I have used Blogger for a few years now. It served as an information board when I worked with post baccalaureate students through a Georgia University. Currently, the site is used for educational blogging and has been viewed by people from United States as well as other countries.

Based on the rubric provided for this assignment, Blogger meets the criteria for must use in all categories.