Technology in Teaching

The gimmicks that we use in teaching are important as it allows the student to connect with the material. In today's classrooms, where virtually everyone has cellphone and more than half of them are on mxit any way. Technology is an important resource that teachers can use to make their lesson more accessible. We had a discussion with Andre' Daniels (a blogger from tektiks.blogspot.com) about what tools we could use to make  a course more hip, happening and interactive.

www.portableapps.com

One of the software tools that I liked was "Audacity". It is basically a voice recorder, that is ridiculously simple to operate  (well that's how Andre' made it seem). It allows you to create podcasts (audio lectures) and if you combine it with power point slides its a resource that students can use outside class.Lecturers might say that this will encourage students to stay out of class but not everybody learns in the same way, and for most it will be just as effective as the real lecture. Audacity will come in handy for pre recorded lectures if you know that you need to go away for a conference. Instead of cancelling the classes, record podcasts and give them to the students. Now

rather than losing a week of lectures you just need lose one to recap what they learnt.

blogsdna.com

"Picasa 3" is a google software that allows you to organise, edit and share photos. It is easy to operate and has tools such as red eye remover, autocorrect options and various display types like collages, all at the click of a button. This tool is particularly handy for allowing students to tell photo stories by creating a photo montage, for instance: the variety of leaf shapes around campus. This can used as an assessment to force students to connect the course content and maybe even themselves. One problem that will need to be addressed is that not each student will have a digital camera and one might need to be provided by the lecturer.

People often forget that most laptops now come with a webcam. Which can allow for video conferencing. So now you can give your lecture even if you are not on campus. A software program called "prompt" allows your text to scroll up on the screen (at your desired speed) and you can read off it. Doesn't Technology make life so much easier?

prezi.com

If you are one of those people who struggle with change, aren't sure about new tools and have just gotten used to Power Point (and really don't want to learn anything new because you have finally worked out how to add an animation to your slide and make your text fly in), I suggest trying "prezi.com". Its like a power point except a bit more dynamic and allows for a more dynamic and unconventional layout.

The tools are out there to make material more relate-able and interesting for students who are used to technology. We as teachers just need to open our minds and find ways to make it work for us instead of against us.