Week+4


 * __Week 4__ - Digital Native, Digital Immigrant

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This week we got to work with camcorders and computer software in order to create short videos. I like the video technology and possible applications to the classroom. This could be used to perform presentations, either for the entire class or just for students who have trouble with them. Presentations done by video can be a good alternate teaching method. This can also cut down on marking time, since the video presentations can be prepared beforehand. Integrating technology into the classroom is always a good idea nowadays, in order to keep students interested and to give them a chance to work with multiple tools that they could encounter in the real world. This relates to the readings from this week since they talk about how students are so technology oriented and teachers can sometimes struggle trying to keep up with the new way of thinking. I do have some reservations regarding this plunge into technology that the education system seems set on doing. Though I believe that the integration of technology is important, they seem to want to get rid of useful skills and also running the risk of producing students who aren't fit for the real world. Feeding their fast paced attention span won't do them very good if they get a job that requires them to settle down, pay attention, and do their work. I feel that the best way to go is to provide students with a well-rounded, fully encompassing education that makes them fit for whatever the world has to offer.
 * Reflections:**

__Positive aspects of technology in the classroom__ -new useful skills -innovative teaching -students are more interested -gives students more opportunities if weak in certain areas

__Negative aspects of technology in the classroom__ -students rely too much on technology -students can lack basic skill, but get by with technology -too many alternate methods caters to lazy students

Interesting thoughts related to my reflection: [|www.politeia.net/Newsletter/politeia_newsletter_42_june_2006/too_much_hurray_for_technology_in_education]

The software we looked at this week were FormatFactory and Windows Movie Maker. FormatFactory is freeware that offers the capability of converting many types of multimedia files. This includes audio, video, and picture files. The program is also capable of ripping CDs and DVDs as well, though we did not use that function in class. We used FormatFactory to convert video files that we made ourselves (.avi) into ones that worked well in Windows Movie Maker (.wmv). Once we had the video files in the proper format, we then used Windows Movie Maker. It is a program offered by Microsoft Windows that allows you to create and edit videos.
 * Software:**

Here is the movie that I made using the hand held recorder, FormatFactory, and Windows Movie Maker. media type="file" key="Recycling Movie_0001.wmv" width="300" height="300" Source of Recycling Image: []
 * Activity:**