Images and Podcasts

Images in the classroom

Images are a very important tool in the classroom for the beginning reader. When texts are complicated and uninspiring students rely on the pictures to form connections and meaning with the words. Images are also effective tools for engaging students and enhancing participation in new units of work.

This image would immediately inspire most students to engage in discussions on the topic of recycling by associating their own experiences with the meaning portrayed by the words and the image.
The image uses colours, a cartoon character and a catchy phrase to capture an audiences attention. 

This next image has no words but uses arrows and pictures to engage an audience. This could be used to support more in depth discussions which would require students to use higher levels of thinking.

Podcasts

 My podcast 
http://judij59.podomatic.com/entry/2010-08-24T16_47_28-07_00
I am still experimenting with how to get this to upload into my blog. Not easy being a ditigal immigrant.
A podcast is a portable technology that can be listened to anywhere and anytime as it is similar to a radio program. Podcasts are used for a variety of teaching and learning purposes as well as for personal use.  A wide range of podcasts can be downloaded for free using iTunes and there are lots of different materials to choose from including nature programs, exercise music, lessons in speaking Japanese, personal growth podcasts. 
 This is my podcast url/ address. I found podomatic troublesome to use but then being a digital immigrant my knowledge of this technology is limited.

I would need a lot more practise with this tool before I could use it effectively.  I can see how students in higher education would find this tool beneficial especially for university students who are trying to combine work and study and may at times be unble to attend lectures.

Educational Benefits

• effective tool for engaging students who learn by listening
• lectures and can be broadcast and listened to anytime and any place.
• Students would enjoy listening to themselves

Challenges

•  studies have shown there is little evidence of either positive or negative effects on student outcomes

• concerns that students in higher school education will not show up for classes and lectures

• is considered to encourage passive learning by some researchers

More information can be found on the website below

http://sydney.edu.au/science/uniserve_science/images/content/2009_papers/elliot1.pdf

Elliot, E., King, S., & S. Scutter, S. ( 2009). To Podcast or to not Podcast:Pedagogical decision making in the use of new technologies. Retrieved 23^rd August, from:

http://sydney.edu.au/science/uniserve_science/images/content/2009_papers/elliot1.pdf