Podcast Review - Lab Rats

Lab Rats is a video podcast that focuses on showing it’s subscribers tips and tricks on how to use the technology you are already using. For example, the latest show explains how to connect your laptop to your T.V.  I tend to be the kind of person that prefers to do things myself, so this kind of information is useful to me. The only downside to the show I found was the interruptions they have for sponsor plugs. I tend to avoid commercials almost religiously though, so this is probably just a personal peeve.  Interruptions or not, I still enjoy the videos and highly recommend them. Check it out by clicking the link above to go to the website or subscribe to the show directly using the feed link at the bottom of this page.

Podcast Review - Tech 5

The thing I like about Tech 5 is that it is fast. I try not to consume a lot of news because of all the negativity, however, I do try to keep on the most important information pertinent to my field. This podcast keeps you up to date on the latest tech news in five minutes. There are a couple of down sides to it as well. First, obviously because it is only five minutes, it is not the most detailed. The other downside to it is that the host is opinionated, but not in the funny entertaining way. Still, if you are looking for the latest tech updates on the fly, this may just be what you need. Check it out by clicking the link above to go to the website or subscribe to the show directly using the feed link at the bottom of this page. is that it is fast. 

Podcast Review - Boag World

Boag World  is my favorite website podcast. If you have any interest in learning about web design this is the podcast to subscribe to. The hosts are knowledgeable, funny, and put a hilarious British twist on every episode. 

The show has been on the air for over five years now and this year the added downloadable ebooks to accompany the podcasts for every season. Click the link above to go to the website or subscribe to the show directly using the feed link at the bottom of this page.

Wikies and Web 2.0 – In the Classroom

Hello everyone,

In keeping with the current discussions on the use of Wikis and Web 2.0 technologies to promote learning I have added a discussion to the Wikispaces site called Wikies and Web  2.0 – In the Classroom. Check it out. 

Shift Happens Discussion Reviews - Why not Wikis

This discussion delved into the idea of using Wikis in the classroom as a way to help teach students. Some people worried about student content, but others pointed out that every edit and changed can be tracked in the history section. User Eduwiki provided the following link for educators to check out different options with using a wiki for education: http://eduwikius.wikispaces.com/Wikis. I recommend checking out the Power Point presentation on this topic.

You can reach this discussion here: Why not Wikis

Shift Happens Discussion Reviews - Preparation of Students for the Future

As with the last post, this one also focused on education. However, this time I did find some suggestions for addressing student education that I felt were useful. User jdmarrs  started off with a long and detailed explanation of why he felt Power Point presentations were vitally useful tools, but while his points were valid, they did not address today’s technology. His ideas following that were more on point.

One of his key points involved funding for education. Comparing our education system with Sweden’s free university level education and health programs, he made a valid point. Sweden is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. They place a focus on the people, with an emphasis on education and health care. How can we possibly hope to prepare our children for a technologically based future if our schools can barely afford buses and textbooks? Every year educational funding is being cut because American culture is not placing enough value on our most important resource - our children!

He also had a couple of other good ideas, including adding the use of YouTube videos and podcasts as tools. His view was a little limited though. YouTube can be a fantastic tool. Yes, there is junk out there, but as a teacher you can add the good videos you find to your PowerPoint’s or presentations.  Teachers could also make their own, so they know that they are giving quality information. Plenty of teachers are already doing this. There are even some that are producing their own podcasts. There is a great British web design podcast called Boagworld that has really helped me learn the material in one of my classes. Using these tools means being discriminating, but with good dialog and screening I believe they can enrich our children’s learning and functionality on the web. 

You can reach this discussion here: Preparation of Students for the Future

Shift Happens Discussion Reviews - The Essential Shift

This discussion focuses on educators. As a mother of five and the sister of a teacher, the challenges educators face in keeping up with the current trends are of primary importance. Unfortunately, there were not many answers to the issues posted – yet. Still, I think the important thing is that we are asking the question: how do educators keep up with the rapidly changing technological culture? 

You can find this discussion here: The Essential Shift