Care to share? A video perhaps?

Reflections on the process of learning about Videosharing

This past week, I explored videosharing sites including Google Videos, Teacher Tube and YouTube. All three are set up in a similar fashion and are quite easy to navigate. I focused mainly on YouTube, which is by far the most popular. I found the process of learning about YouTube fairly easy, as I was already quite knowledgeable with the site. I’ve been a ‘user’ for quite some time, but have never posted a video until now. However, I have subscribed to a number of different users, including a guy from Brazil who sings covers of Alanis Morissette songs in Spanish. Random right? I know. But, what can I say? I like Alanis.

It has changed how my friends and I 'consume' media though, and also what we 'consume.' Before YouTube, it would be more common for us to rent a movie, gather at someone's place and watch it. When YouTube caught on, it was more common for us to skip the first step, and just gather instead. Then 'surf' YouTube for things to amuse us: concerts, classic cartoons, pop culture moments, and the classic 'people messing up' or doing something crazy.

The aspects that I wasn’t familiar with, were fairly easy to get to know, such as 'uploading' and 'filming' aspects of the site. I uploaded my first video, which I filmed using my webcam and the recording tools within YouTube’s website. It’s not the best video in terms of content and quality, but it’s a start. I made another video, which I didn't post using iMovie, and the quality was a bit better, as it had less of a 'pixilated' look to it. I now feel more comfortable with this tool, but will not begin 'uploading' videos of myself to share with the world any time soon.

Discussion of Videosharing in terms of my own personal learning

When YouTube first broke out onto the scene, I remember being frustrated because I felt I was out of the loop within my social circle. My friends would send me videos and speak of videos, but my home computer was so slow that it made the experience painful. I couldn’t experience it at work, as it was blocked. So, it was only at friends’ houses that I really got to experience it.

In the past I've used YouTube as a learning tool. When I had a new bathtub installed, I used YouTube to teach myself how to tile the surround (along with some tips from friends and books). I've also used YouTube to learn about current events, teaching strategies and topics I'm interested in.

One exciting thing I learned was how to 'share' content in different ways. Before I would use the e-mail function, and paste addresses in, which is a bit of a pain. Now, I've learned that I can just link a video to my Facebook account to share. One, I linked recently was a music video that's just gone 'viral' in the past few days. It was shot in one take and was created by students at the University of Quebec in Montreal. How fun would a project like this be for a dance or drama class? ('sans' the open liquor of course, or closed for that matter).

Discussion of Videosharing in terms of teaching & learning

First off, I have to share the face that I used Teacher Tube this week to show my students how to use 'hooks' in book talks. It was quite effective in showing them how to provide a window into a book, without giving too much away.

I think videosharing is and will become more and more so a powerful tool to use within the classroom. Our students are viewing and generating content in their homes. I think within the school setting, we will become more open to using sites such as YouTube as a teaching tool. At this point, Teacher Tube is not blocked, but You Tube is. However, if you are determined to use it there are ways of getting around the blocks. I think schools will become first more open to 'consuming' YouTube' videos and then more so into generating and posting content.

Bull et. al point out that a great aspect of videosharing is that it "may [be] possible to engage students in exploration of materials that other students helped create" (p. 102). I think this is great, as the knowledge is not just coming from the teacher, or written texts, but rather other students from around the world. I think it's very powerful. They can see global perspective, as opposed to just their teacher's, and classmates' views.

Davies and Merchant discuss the fact that "YouTube is a useful and rich resource of some fascinating historic material" (p. 57). I would agree, but would add that it's also a useful resource for current events. Recently, the conflict in Iran after the election was held was all but cut out from the mainstream media due to an effort to withhold information. However, YouTube users filmed on their own and illustrated the reality of what was happening within the country. It

My blog wouldn't be complete without discussing the safety aspect of videosharing sites. I have to admit that I was very wary of posting a video of myself, but even more wary of students of mine posting videos of themselves. However, after reading Davies and Merchant's explanation of how to get rid of identifying markers, I became a bit more open to kids using this tool (p.67) That's part of the reason why I think that we should be bringing YouTube into the classroom; our students are using these tools anyways, so why not help them to use them safely? One teacher in Canada used it to promote literature within her classroom. Once again, I was wary, but you'll notice in her video, there is nothing 'identifying' in the video or information about the video that would reveal the identity of the students, school, or teacher.

In the article, Connecting Informal and Formal Learning Experiences in the Age of Participatory Media, it is suggested that time is another barrier that we can face when try to use these new technologies in our classes. I can see this, especially if it's not just students watching a clip, but rather generating and sharing content (Bull et. al, 2008, p.102).

In conclusion, I have to say I look forward to the day when videosharing is brought officially into the classroom and we can harness it's power to help children learn and grow.

Works Cited

Bull, G., Thompson, A., Searson, M., Garofalo, J., Park, J., Young, C., & Lee, J (2008). Connecting informal and formal learning: Experiences in the age of participatory media. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 8(2).

Ideas will Flickr

Reflections on the process of learning about the Flickr

My own previous knowledge and experience with Flickr combined with the knowledge gained from the trailfire, helped provide me with a solid base of understanding of this photosharing site.

I have to admit though, that I was somewhat annoyed with Flickr right off the bat. I needed to create yet another e-mail address, with yet another password to remember in order to fully utilize the site. Yahoo is affiliated with Flickr, so I needed to have a Yahoo account. To cut down on info overload, I used not only the same password as my hotmail account, but also the same e-mail ‘handle’.

While using this tool, I found it to be very user-friendly and easy to navigate. I quickly learned how to upload photos, and how to edit, tag and share them. Check out my pictures.

Discussion of Flickr in terms of my own personal learning

I could see myself using this site in the future; perhaps after a trip with friends. I could post the pictures to share with the friends I traveled with, as well as friends who weren’t there. However, I see there is an overlap here between Facebook and Flickr. I think most of my friends would just post their vacation photos on Facebook to share them with other friends and family. The advantage of Flickr over Facebook would be that you can use Flickr to not only share, but also edit your pictures, and share them with others around the world.

I admire the environmentally friendly aspect of Flickr. This tool will lesson the need for CDs to be used to share/back up our photos. Paper will also be saved. More and more photos will stay in digital form: from camera to computer to Flickr. I think it will take people awhile to move away from the whole, “I want to print it off” kind of mindset. We have to ask ourselves, “Why do we want a hard copy?” Is it to frame and display? Then fair enough. Is it to share with others? Well, that can be accomplished with this tool.

Discussion of Flickr in terms of teaching & learning

I could see myself using Flickr in my classroom. For example, on Friday I went on a field trip to the Bennett Center with my Grade Six class. I could have taken pictures of the different types of trees we studied and then uploaded them. My students could use them as tool for reviewing.

I found a site ( www.jakesonline.org/flickrinclassroom.pdf ) which showcases many different ways to use Flickr in the classroom, with my favourites being ‘digital storytelling’ and using pictures as a prompt for writing.

I think it’s a great way to bring your places that we’re learning about to life. If we’re reading a book set in Boston, or learning about a city in Peru, we can use Flickr to transport our students that location.

After getting to know this tool a bit better, I can see myself not only incorporating it into my personal life, but also into my classroom as well.

Intro Blog: It begins....

I like to consider myself quite savvy when it comes to the internet and technology, but I'm quickly realizing that I have a lot to learn. Some areas, I'm not incredibly knowledgeable about because I've intentionally avoided them (Facebook and Twitter) and others I just haven't come across, or experienced (Ning, RSS feeds).

However, I have maintained a blog for the past two summers chronicling my holidays, which I've enjoyed writing. It was a great experience because it helped me to stay connected to my friends and family. They had a window into what I was experiencing, which they enjoyed (well.. most of them). I used 'blogger' for it and decided to use it once again because of my familiarity with it and also because it's fairly user friendly.

Sites like YouTube have been completely unavoidable, and incredibly entertaining. I'm also familiar with podcasts, and have used them to stay connected to what's happening in the world.

I'm looking forward to this course pushing my boundaries and also filling in the gaps of Web 2.0. Some questions I'm inquiring about at this point:

1) How can a wiki be used to help my students to discuss books we are currently studying?
2) How can I use Web 2.0 tools to develop professionally?
3) How could Web 2.0 tools be used in the event of school closures?

Others have expressed hesitancy with putting information 'out there' on the web, and I have to say I am in the same boat. It's part the reason that I have avoided Facebook. I have to say I had some anxiety joining it, but alas I have.

That being said, here's some personal information about me... My social insurance number is... jk. Take two: I like to consider myself a curious life long learner, as well as being active, and somewhat balanced. I am chronically single, which I'm finding is rare for teachers, but I'm not bitter... yet. I have an amazing group of friends, and a great family, some of whom are still in Saskatchewan. Most have jumped ship, including my older and younger brother. I've been living in Alberta for almost 10 years now, and teaching for about the last 5. Some activities I enjoy include reading, running, swimming, yoga, writing and live music. One of my aspirations is to become a fluent French speaker. I've spent the last 3 summers trying to accomplish this by studying in Montreal, Paris and then Montreal once again.

I'm looking forward to this learning opportunity: to 'catch up' with Web 2.0. I'm hoping that not only will it connect me with friends, family and new people, but also that it will inspire me to use aspects of it in the classroom to engage my students and help to prepare them for our new connected world in which we live.