Chapter 11 Response

Audio and visual technologies can be very beneficial in the classroom. One traditional audio technology is the talking book. The talking book could be used to listen to books read aloud; the whole class could be following along in a printed book while hearing it read aloud to them. One way to use emerging audio technology would be the use of internet radio. The teacher could play a news broadcast to get the students more acquainted with current events and learn about different cultures around the world as well. The teacher could also extend this lesson, and after listening the teacher could have a class discussion on the current events. In the discussion the teacher and students could listen to different students views, and this could even lead to class debates on certain topics they learned about while listening to the internet radio. An example of a way to incorporate a traditional visual technology in the classroom could be to incorporate the use of VHS tapes in a lesson. One lesson the teacher could use VHS tapes is to show a educational movie relating to what the students are currently learning. One examples of this could be to show a movie version of a book the students read and have them make comparisons between the movie and the book. An emerging visual technology that could be incorporated in the classroom is the use of digital video cameras. One way to use digital video cameras in the classroom could be to organize a group project for the students and they have to display their information in the form of a video. They could research what they need their video to be about, work out a script, props, film their video, and show it to the rest of the class. Audio and visual technologies can be very beneficial in the classroom and the possibilities are endless for the ways in which they can be used.

Chapter 6 Response

I would prefer to teach in a classroom with more technology. I think that technology can really enhance and expand the learning experience for students. For example, technology like electronic whiteboards can be very beneficial in the classroom. They will allow lessons to be more interactive and it will be less of the teacher lecturing and more interactions with the students and visual aids really help some students learn better. Another technology that would help in the classroom would be touch screens. I want to be an early childhood teacher and the availability of a touch screen could help the younger kids use computers and it will be less complicated for them. Also, I would like to teach in a classroom that has access to wireless devices. If every student had a wireless device, the whole class could be participating in something at the same time, but it could be more individualized and the students are more likely to pay attention if they can use their own device. Wireless devices could also be great for group work. Overall, with all of the technology that is accessible, I would prefer to teach in a classroom with technology because I believe it creates a more interactive and engaging learning experience for the students.