Video Resources for Students

After reviewing the video sites, I have come to some conclusions. First, I liked NextVista. I liked the idea that videos can be made by teachers and students, be submitted and shared. But, there wasn't much there yet to explore. I, like Terri, LOVED Teacher Tube. Did you know that you can make a poster in EXCEL? I love learning new things that Excel is used for other than formula's. I also found an excellent video on blogging. It is by Rachel Boyd from New Zealand and it is called Why Let our Students Blog . Teacher Tube is definitely a site I'd like to explore more of.

As far as YouTube is concerned, I have never been on it until now. I don't think it is very educationally sound. After talking with my 17 year old son about it he concurs. I asked him if he would go to YouTube for anything educational and he said, "no, not really." The only thing he would look for there would be something about sports or just "funny videos." I feel this is a site that students would get off track and "into the weeds." I did see some news clips, but, I don't think it is worth the risk.

I liked Clip Blast much more than You Tube. The site was more appealing visually to me. I like that they have their categories set up alphabetically. I would probably let students use this site. They also have a safe search feature. This is another site that I need to explore more of. Again, I showed it to my son, and he wonder's if he can get on this site at school. No doubt, there is objectional subject matter on this site as well, but...I think the categories explicitly say that.

Another Reason Why to Blog

I found this video on Teacher Tube. I think it sums up all the reasons why it's a good idea for your students to blog! It was made by Rachel Boyd from New Zealand. I'd love to be a part of any correspondance with her class in New Zealand. Image all the possiblities, the curiosity and the questions that our students would have. Here's the link to get you pumped-up!
Why Let our Students Blog?

Classroom Blogging

Being on the outside looking in, I can see how blogging can affect student learning. Blogging gives students an audience. They will be excited about writing for a purpose. When they get feedback, they only want to respond with more. When they know that a wider audience will be reading their posts, they want to make it more interesting, they think before choosing their words. They can even leave their own opinions anonymously on a certain topic and not feel they have to conform with the majority. I have seen a great way to use a blog. Many classrooms want to correspond with different classrooms in their state, nation, or even internationally. This gives them a way to do that without having an e-mail address to write back and forth to. It is almost real time (owner of the blog will be able to see what is written before it is posted, in most cases). I think this is a great way to correspond with other students around the world.

Welcome to Denise's Moodle Blog. I will be using this blog to correspond with my classmates and teacher during the course of the summer and will hopefully be able to post some interesting content regarding the use of Technology as teaching tool.