Visual and Online Literacy

Visual and online literacy can be such a useful tool not only to education, but to the entire world. Having all of these online texts could be a way for students to get ideas out and to share their ideas with the entire world. One of the main problems with writing today is that when text is only found in books it usually is missing that wow factor that is gained through pictures, graphics, videos, etc. Multimedia can solve this problem. There are no limits on what can be done for writing in the classroom with the help of technology. Writing in the classroom should be a collaboration. In today's world we can post so much more than simple text on the internet. Visual documents are all over the internet that included pictures, sounds, videos, and interviews. With the help of the internet students and teachers can gather sources from all over the world and put everything together to create an amazing piece of work, and more importantly enhance the level of education in the classrooms.In the classroom, this in my opinion, could really spark the interests of students. Students could actually be learning how to write like education traditionally teaches, but at the same time add a more interesting factor. I know during high school and even college I was not exposed to all of the ways I could make my writing interesting with visual and audio graphics. I think if schools incorporate writing through online literacy it could teach important skills that students would most definitely use in the future. Because technology use is growing at exponential rates it makes sense to adapt our education around that. Teaching online literacy and multimedia would only enhance students opportunities in such a technology rich world.

iTunes U

I believe the use of iTunesU could greatly enhance students learning and should be incorporated into our classrooms more often. iTunesU is a massive database of free educational videos and audios that can be accessed by anyone anywhere. iTunesU is quickly growing to be one of the largest online educational sources with more than 200,000 lectures, presentations, videos, readings, and podcasts from all over the world. iTunesU is one of the easiest and fastest ways to get education directly into the students hands. With iTunesU all information that is being displayed are from top universities, museums, and other well known cultural institutions. Top universities including Cambridge University, Oxford University, Yale University,and Harvard University just to name a few actually post class lectures as podcasts or videocasts. This is extremely beneficial for students who want to go back and re-listen to their lecture, write notes over again, or become more clear about a topic, but to me this is so important because a high school student anywhere in the United States can listen to a lecture from some of the best educators in the world. iTunesU allows higher education to be available for everyone.Students can actually download the vodcasts or podcasts of teacher lectures, or other educational videos directly to their computers, ipods, or iphones. This to me is one of the most important benefits. iTunesU has made it possible for students to be anywhere at anytime to learn. Students no longer have to be sitting at a computer desk or in the library to do homework, study, or have class. With iTunesU in our classrooms I believe it could transform the way we view education, and learning could venture outside of the classroom.

Network Learning

Network Learning is based on something called connectivism.
As a future teacher I believe that learning can take place through all different kind of social networks, connections, and ties between people. These connections between other people are made possible by technology tools, and by having these different ties with people it is supposed to strengthen the learning process for that student. Students can research information others have already posted on a topic, learn from others experiences, blog about their own opinions, and talk to others online about their thoughts. I think this type of teaching is an amazing opportunity for students to be more independent in ways, but also to be exposed to opportunities they would never have in traditional schooling. Networked schooling teaches the importance of not only technology, but the vitality of connections with people. It shows just how much we can inspire and teach one another, and be pro active with learning. I think network learning creates a way for students to be inspired and self motivated, not just going through the motions of learning.I also think networked learning will inspire students to get more involved in the classroom, and I believe this new type of learning could be a vital tool in our classrooms.

Posting Student's Work Online

Posting students work online to me is a very vital way in which technology can improve education.When a teacher posts students work on the internet I think it fires up the students, and gives them a sense of pride knowing other people will be able to see their talents. On the other hand, I believe posting students work on blogs not only benefits the students, but also other people who view the blog. Thousands of people have been able to view inspiring videos from classrooms and it has been an inspiration. Classroom blogs can motivate other teachers to start incorporating this type of learning into their classrooms, and it can create a spark in students interests in learning.I believe this is a great way to motivate students and other people all around the world, and blogging should most definitely be apart of our educational system. Through students blogging about their opinions about school related subjects, students from all around the world could learn and connect with one another. This opens up a type of learning that has no limits. People are learning from other people all over the world. Distance can no longer stop learning. If this type of learning can really take off all over the world the possibilities are endless.

Creativity is Vital

There is a hierarchy in schools. Math, science, and English always come first, and are taught much more than music, art, dance, and theater. Yet, creative classes should be ranked just as high as any other subject. Classes that were designated to help a student get a job (math, science, English) most often times comes first, and many students are driven away from subjects that actually interest them (art, dance, theatre) because it is assumed students could not get decent jobs studying these subjects. Our educational system is forcing creativity out of children, and putting them in the mind set that they must ignore things they enjoy and are interested in, and instead focus on the subjects and schooling that will get them jobs. I believe Math, Science, and English are very important subjects, but music, art, dance, theater, and physical education are just as vital. I believe our school systems should encourage what students have a passion and interest for, not just the subjects that will provide security or money in the future.

Active Learning

I believe that students should be active learners in the classroom, and they should have the opportunity to not only learn from their teachers, but also through others. Through incorporating technology into classrooms, students become more independent to learn for themselves. For example, I would use Digital cameras in the classrooms with projects so children can actually see and understand what they are learning. Also, allow students to download and upload homework and projects so they can access it at all times. I believe classrooms do not always have to be traditional, with pens, paper, and a chalk board, but can be transformed into a place where children are engaged and learning actively through computers, internet, and blogging.