Because of the roadblocks I mentioned in an earlier post I scrapped the Slideshare idea for this week and played around with Audacity. I enjoy playing audio clips to start out classes and jumpstart discussions. I will often use episodes from Science Fridays, Radio Lab and This American Life. Because I usually only want to listen to a short portion of the broadcast I end up wasting class time fast forwarding and rewinding to find just the point I want. Editing and saving the shortened audio clips sounded like the ticket.
Downloading Audacity is easy and the program is intuitive to use. I wasn’t able to import MP4 files from iTunes, but could import MP3s. I edited a segment from This American Life I really enjoy about parasitic life cycles and saved it as a wav file. I couldn’t export it as an MP3 for some reason. I looked into posting it on Gcast, but Gcast is no longer accepting downloads (Eric, is there anywhere else you recommend?). I was also worried about posting it due to copyright infringement. If you would like a copy of it, leave your email and I will send the file along. Anyway, if you have a few audio files that you use regularly and you hate wasting the time to fast forward and rewind to just the right area because during that time your students will organize a coup, this program may give you a hand at squelching the rebellion.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Roadblocks
I thought this week I would spend some time learning how to record audio during PowerPoint lectures and saving them to Slideshare. I felt this would be much more valuable than me handing a copy of the notes over to students that are absent. Each day I could hit the “record button” then save and upload the presentation. The only roadblock I perceived was purchasing a microphone that could wirelessly transmit the signal to the computer as I walked around the room.
This idea was really naive. Using Slideshare I would have to upload the document to their server. Upload audio to another server. Then edit the two together before saving. That is just ridiculous. Who has time for that? PowerPoint allows you to record audio at the same time, but your presentation needs to be timed. I can’t have all my presentations timed out prior to giving them.
I did find a program called Camtasia Studio that allows you to do just what I want, and it gets great reviews. The only problem is it comes with a 300 dollar price tag.
The final roadblock was copyright. I have grabbed images from all over the web for my presentations. Three minutes into any of my lectures and I’m sure I have broken countless copyright laws and could be locked away in prison for the rest of my natural life. I’m really not all that worried about using the images in a classroom setting, but wouldn’t dare post them on the Internet. And I’m not about to re-create all new lectures with “safe” images.
I will record a presentation this week and have a link on here to view to fulfill the course requirements, but as far as using it in my classroom the roadblocks regretfully are just too great.
This idea was really naive. Using Slideshare I would have to upload the document to their server. Upload audio to another server. Then edit the two together before saving. That is just ridiculous. Who has time for that? PowerPoint allows you to record audio at the same time, but your presentation needs to be timed. I can’t have all my presentations timed out prior to giving them.
I did find a program called Camtasia Studio that allows you to do just what I want, and it gets great reviews. The only problem is it comes with a 300 dollar price tag.
The final roadblock was copyright. I have grabbed images from all over the web for my presentations. Three minutes into any of my lectures and I’m sure I have broken countless copyright laws and could be locked away in prison for the rest of my natural life. I’m really not all that worried about using the images in a classroom setting, but wouldn’t dare post them on the Internet. And I’m not about to re-create all new lectures with “safe” images.
I will record a presentation this week and have a link on here to view to fulfill the course requirements, but as far as using it in my classroom the roadblocks regretfully are just too great.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
I'm a Lurker
I know that sounds a little creepy. For years I have hidden in the shadows of the Internet peering into a variety of message boards, from travel to sports to politics. I NEVER post. I’m not exactly sure why. I enjoy reading the thoughts and opinions of other folks. I guess I never thought I had anything valuable to say or I was scared to say it. This week I have spent some time (actually a lot of time) looking at The Synapse, a PLN for biology teachers. I’m not sure if I have the time or energy to create a network on Twitter. This one is already built and is full of motivated, collaborative teachers. I really enjoyed the AP biology discussion group. In a few hours I got a dozen great lab/test-prep/and video ideas. If you are a biology teacher check it out! Thanks Eric for passing this along. It got me so motivated that maybe I’ll come out of the shadows.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
YouTube replaces 150 plumbers. Are teachers next?
This week Eric brought up using YouTube and other online videos in class. YouTube has revolutionized the flow of information and I use it often in my class. It can teach kids to think critically. However, as Eric also demonstrated through the video links, there is a risk.
For example before YouTube if you had a small plumbing job and you wanted to “sweat a pipe” you were left with three options:
1. Actually hire a plumber (true the job would be done correctly and safely, but what is the fun in that?)
2. Read a published article on plumbing (this article most likely would come from the 30 year old home improvement books you inherited from your grandfather. The yellow moth eaten paper would be tough to read, but you could manage)
3. You could have Bob your next door neighbor come over and give you a hand (Bob professes to be an expert in all things home improvement. Bob’s house is still standing; he does his own oil changes, so he must be handy.)
I was met with this predicament this week and I chose Option 4. “YouTube it”. I searched YouTube for videos on how to sweat a pipe and numerous videos came up. I must not be the only one who went with this option because the video I chose had 126,777 views, making it a pretty popular video. So I watched the video and with only two tries and 2 gallons of spilled water, I successfully put on a shut off valve on my kitchen water supply! After watching Eric’s videos it occurred to me that maybe “how to videos” posted by who know who may not be the safest source for important information. Bob is looking better and better.
Second, is anyone worried about being replaced or “outsourced” by YouTube?
Seriously. There is a video on YouTube for everything I teach, from how to use a compound microscope to protein synthesis. That one plumbing video could have put (based on my estimates) at least150 plumbers out of work. Could teachers be next?
I will only add to the cycle by linking to another video. This one is an interpretive dance on protein synthesis, produced in the early 70’s by some students and professors at Stanford. It is trippy. The good stuff begins at the 3:15 mark. My AP Bio students get a real kick out of it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9dhO0iCLww
For example before YouTube if you had a small plumbing job and you wanted to “sweat a pipe” you were left with three options:
1. Actually hire a plumber (true the job would be done correctly and safely, but what is the fun in that?)
2. Read a published article on plumbing (this article most likely would come from the 30 year old home improvement books you inherited from your grandfather. The yellow moth eaten paper would be tough to read, but you could manage)
3. You could have Bob your next door neighbor come over and give you a hand (Bob professes to be an expert in all things home improvement. Bob’s house is still standing; he does his own oil changes, so he must be handy.)
I was met with this predicament this week and I chose Option 4. “YouTube it”. I searched YouTube for videos on how to sweat a pipe and numerous videos came up. I must not be the only one who went with this option because the video I chose had 126,777 views, making it a pretty popular video. So I watched the video and with only two tries and 2 gallons of spilled water, I successfully put on a shut off valve on my kitchen water supply! After watching Eric’s videos it occurred to me that maybe “how to videos” posted by who know who may not be the safest source for important information. Bob is looking better and better.
Second, is anyone worried about being replaced or “outsourced” by YouTube?
Seriously. There is a video on YouTube for everything I teach, from how to use a compound microscope to protein synthesis. That one plumbing video could have put (based on my estimates) at least150 plumbers out of work. Could teachers be next?
I will only add to the cycle by linking to another video. This one is an interpretive dance on protein synthesis, produced in the early 70’s by some students and professors at Stanford. It is trippy. The good stuff begins at the 3:15 mark. My AP Bio students get a real kick out of it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9dhO0iCLww
Friday, June 18, 2010
Reflections and Guiding Principles.
I guess its time for some class reflections. First, it is exhausting moving from one blog to the next. All good stuff but it takes too much time. Next week I’m focusing on setting up Google Reader. Second, I really like what BFritz is doing with http://realearthscience.blogspot.com/. I could see myself running a similar classroom blog. Third, I love the TED Presentations. Thanks Eric for passing that on. Killed an hour last night watching a bunch. My sister-in-law mentioned them a while ago, but I never got the chance to watch one. With content like that on the Internet, who needs cable television? Finally I really haven’t warmed up to Twitter yet, but I’m keeping my mind open.
Ripping up over 250 ceramic tiles over the last few days I have more than enough time to start thinking about some guiding principles for using technology in the classroom. Here are some guiding principles that I think I need to have:
1. Positive Attitude: I need to have a positive attitude about any technology
we use in class.
2. Skills: Only use technology when I have a firm grasp of how it works.
3. Safety: Make sure my students use technogy in a safe and appropriate manor.
4. Authentic: I need to use technology when it helps students develop critical
thinking skills or helps them master one of our core competencies. It has to
be tied to the curriculum.
Ripping up over 250 ceramic tiles over the last few days I have more than enough time to start thinking about some guiding principles for using technology in the classroom. Here are some guiding principles that I think I need to have:
1. Positive Attitude: I need to have a positive attitude about any technology
we use in class.
2. Skills: Only use technology when I have a firm grasp of how it works.
3. Safety: Make sure my students use technogy in a safe and appropriate manor.
4. Authentic: I need to use technology when it helps students develop critical
thinking skills or helps them master one of our core competencies. It has to
be tied to the curriculum.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Outlets!!!!
So I said earlier I was a Cheap Yankee and that is mostly true with one exception........Electrical. I can demolish cabinets, put up dry wall, and lay tile. But I think handling 220 volts of electricity is best left to the professionals. I hired an electrician to run wires for the kitchen and I couldn't be happier. The funniest thing is the number of outlets I need to meet code. We've gotten by with two outlets for years. Now there are eleven!!!!!! If I plugged every electrical device I own in I couldn't fill 22 sockets. Its good in one way. My wife wanted to tile the back splash, which I was lukewarm about. Now we don't have to, our back splash is electrical sockets. If you're interested here is a picture of the kitchen on Saturday and then of one today.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Intro
Hello World,
I’m not sure if I should start my first blog post that way as Tiger Woods coined the term in his first press conference. And that hasn’t gone well lately. Hopefully this blog will sail a little smoother…………
Welcome, make yourself at home—just make sure to use a coaster. My name is Jeremy and I’m a teacher at Kingswood Regional High School. I have taught for 9 years (Biology and AP Biology). I am married to the most understanding wife in the world, Christina. We have two beautiful children, a dog named Sydney and a cat named Pumpkin (yes, he is black and white like the name suggests).
Right now I am in my second year of the MSSE program and so far it is going really well. I am taking another course on the Ecology of Plains and Prairies, which make a lot of sense because I live in New Hampshire. In all seriousness I’m looking forward to learning much from both classes but a little nervous about balancing school work and home life.
I picture this blog being mostly focused on my courses when I get back to school in September but as of right now it will be all about one thing: my kitchen renovation. Because I’m a cheap Yankee I have decided to do the majority of the work myself. This blog will chronicle that journey over the next month and a half. Hold on tight it will be an emotional ride. And last but not least if you know of any way to pull up old tile let me know…….That stuff is a beast.
I’m not sure if I should start my first blog post that way as Tiger Woods coined the term in his first press conference. And that hasn’t gone well lately. Hopefully this blog will sail a little smoother…………
Welcome, make yourself at home—just make sure to use a coaster. My name is Jeremy and I’m a teacher at Kingswood Regional High School. I have taught for 9 years (Biology and AP Biology). I am married to the most understanding wife in the world, Christina. We have two beautiful children, a dog named Sydney and a cat named Pumpkin (yes, he is black and white like the name suggests).
Right now I am in my second year of the MSSE program and so far it is going really well. I am taking another course on the Ecology of Plains and Prairies, which make a lot of sense because I live in New Hampshire. In all seriousness I’m looking forward to learning much from both classes but a little nervous about balancing school work and home life.
I picture this blog being mostly focused on my courses when I get back to school in September but as of right now it will be all about one thing: my kitchen renovation. Because I’m a cheap Yankee I have decided to do the majority of the work myself. This blog will chronicle that journey over the next month and a half. Hold on tight it will be an emotional ride. And last but not least if you know of any way to pull up old tile let me know…….That stuff is a beast.
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