1.  What are three reasons podcasting is becoming so popular?

      a) Anyone can do it.  b) You can Subscribe to any podcast that interests you.  c) Gaggets are the big thing. 

2.  Are iPods the only device on which podcasts work?

      Absolutely not.

3.  Do you have to download podcasts to an iPod or can you watch them on your computer?

      You can watch them on both iPod and on your compter.

4.  Name three ways podcasting is different from traditional broadcasting.

      Three ways podcasting is different from traditional brodcasting is that 1) You aren't locked into a schedule showtimes don't matter, you can cown load them when you are sleeping and listen/watch them the next day  2) It is personal and on demand, convienence 3) There is something for everybody and anybody can express themself and someone may want to hear it. 

5.  Find at least 3 podcasts that you think could be useful to you in your role as an educator.  If you have iTunes, I would start there.  If you don't, search for podcasts on the web.  Describethe podcasts on your wiki page.

     I do not have i Tunes or any sort of those devices.... I am bad.  I do not have a cell phone either.  So... I have to use the old fashion search for the podcasts on the web.  This makes me laugh because I am really out of date when I think about how many people have several extra devices on their person at one time and I do not have anything.  Well, my search lead me to find Vocabulary podcasts that are put to music so you can hum along as you learn other words to a word that you know.  I thought that would be very useful in my field.  Book podcasts were another that I found would benifit me as an educator... I love books and I was offered the top 10 boks and comments about each one.  Language podcasts I thought were very interesting.... if I wanted to learn a certain word in another language it would only take me 1 minute and I could learn several words in Mandrian or Spanish or whatever language I choose.  I can see how this is very benificial to people who walk around with something hanging out of their ear all the time... that way you aren't wasting any time.  However, you have no time to just think and be with your own thoughts but rather fill it with words and tallking and more talking.... I have to tell you, I am not a fan of the noise.  I enjoy the quiet times that life offers and I don't like to fill them with talking.  It allows me to center myself and be still....if only for a moment.  I personally will nt use this unless I have to; but for now... I like my quiet time. 

Assignment 5:  On Line Video

I teach a Unit on Pumpkins in the fall with my Kindergarteners.  We sequence the growth of a pumpkin from seed to plant.  This little video demonstrates all the information I need them to learn and it offers a quiz to go with it.  I love it because it is short and will keep the students attention.  Many years we even take a field trip to the pumpkin patch and pick our own pumpkin to take home. 

In Kindergarten we spend a lot of time on shapes and colors.  Shapes and colors are all around us and this video promotes that concept.  It also developes vocabulary that is part of our End-of-the-Year testing.  I am very happy with this video because it isn't too long but it has a wide variety of animals that many children may not ever get the chance to see in real life. 

As the holidays come in Kindergarten, I especially like Thanksgiving and all it represents.  There are many holidays that we celebrate but for me Thanksgiving is my personal favorite.  This video does a great job at reminding everyone the true meaning of Thanksgiving.  It also is historically correct and factual with regards to the curriculum we teach in Kindergarten.  As an educator of the primary children I feel it is my responsiblity to lay the foundation of manners and thankfulness and respect.  That is why Thanksgiving is one of my favorites.  We are able to practice all that I am teaching them with regards to being a good citizen in society and simply being the best they can be at any given time. 

At Camptown we have a portable projector that is available for our use.  It however is not powerful enough to link to the wireless and work in our rooms; which means it is basically useless.  We do have a sign out sheet, but like I said, it sits in the computer lab gathering dust, because every time it has been pulled out to be used, it is always a huge disappointment.  I believe that once we are in the new building everyone will have a projector in their room which will be grand. I understand that Wyalusing Elementary already has this available to the teachers.  All in good time.  

I personally am not a fan of the TV.  I like to do the hands-on stuff and actual experience in my classroom however, the children of today are really in tune with the TV and it is seems to be the only time they can quiet themselves.  So I use it as a treat or special occasion to get my lesson across to the children. I do understand that sometimes there are times when you need a break from being in front of the classroom.  Like when you have a sore throat... I don't like to be absent so on those sorts of days review of lessons already learned in video form is and can be very effective. 

Final Presentation