Of all the different technologies mentioned throughout these blogs, Podcasts and Skype appear to be the best.

Podcasts can be done in both audio and video format. To create a Podcast on a Mac, simply open up Garage Band and hit record. You can also add pictures, chapters, details, and other cool things. However, if you're not one of the Apple people (twice the price, half the power), then follow this link. It tells you how to create your own free audio Podcast on Windows based PCs. The Podcast is a great tool for the classroom. One of the most noticeable uses is to record lectures. This way, both the audio file and PowerPoints can be put online for absent students. Podcasts can also be used by teachers who want to give their students supplementary material.

Another useful tool in the classroom is Skype. Skype is an online telephone network that allows users to video chat for free. As with the Podcasts, Skype can be a great tool for absent students. The students can Skype in during class time so they don't become too far behind. This can also be used by students to collaborate on projects when they are not physically in the same place. Lastly, Skype can be a great tool for connecting my classroom to the world. I can have historians, students from different countries, and countless other professionals Skype into my classroom and help the learning environment flourish.

This technology (and others) can be used to supplement teaching strategies. One very useful teaching strategy is Inquiry Based Learning. Through inquiry based learning, students ask the questions they want answered. The students then search for the answers to their own questions. As with other student-centered approaches to teaching, this is thought to be incredibly useful because the students are learning according to their own interests. As such, these types of activities can help spur lifelong learners. However, one downside to Inquiry Based Learning is time constraints. As with all student-centered teaching models, a considerable amount of classroom time must be dedicated to the assignment.

Every person learns differently. There are Visual, Audio, and Kinesthetic learners. It is estimated that between 40 and 60 percent of people are visual learners. Despite this, modern schools are set up in ways that allow audio learners to perform best in the classroom. As teachers, it is essential that new technologies are utilized in ways that reach visual learners and allow for them to succeed.

One way that visual learning can be applied in the classroom is through brainstorm/concept mappers. To the left is a picture of bubbl.us, Bubbl allows users to create concept maps that help to better understand ideas. As a teacher, I can help my students learn by doing as little work as possible. The students will simply tell me what to write down and then they can have me group the ideas together that are connected. The fun and interactive nature of concept mapping will also encourage more students to participate. Other useful tools for concept mapping are Inspiration, Kidspiration, and Mywebspiration.

Another useful tool for visual learners are word clouds (as seen below). Word cloud generators allow the user to input words or phrases and then create a cloud of words based on what was input. The most useful aspect of word clouds are that the most common words input in the generator are the bigger ones. This will allow students to more easily remember important concepts, words, or ideas. The word cloud below was done using Wordle. However, sites like Tagxedo allow users to make even more complex looking word clouds.

The goal of every teacher should be a desire to have every student learn. By utilizing these technologies, visual learners can now be better suited for classroom success.

What are standards? Its quite simple really. Standards are a set of topics that every teacher is required to teach to their class. For example, as a 9th grade World History teacher, the State of Ohio requires that I teach my students about important Enlightenment thinkers, ideas, and its subsequent affect on later generations. However, little known are the technology standards that teachers are also required to teach. The International Society for Technology in Education, or ISTE, is the professional body that steers technology education in the US. By browsing the ISTE website, you can see many cool things, such as teacher and administrator standards. The website also includes several useful resources that teachers can use. To be even more specific, the Ohio Department of Education website includes the specific technology standards for teaching in the State of Ohio.

All of this information is very valuable to teachers. Previously, I had not known that I was required to teach technology standards in my classroom. As such, this new knowledge has made me more aware of what information I must know and teach to my students. Just like the content standards in their field, teachers should acquaint themselves with the technology standards in their state. It is important to remember that as teachers we are teaching our students the skills they need to succeed in life, not just the skills to pass our course.

Possibly even more important than the technology standards (which, lets be honest, most teachers probably don't actively teach) are the school technology rules. One of the most important technology rules is the school's Acceptable Use Policy, or AUP. The AUP is a document that states what children are allowed to access while using the school's internet connection. Oftentimes, both students and parents sign the AUP document stating that they understand and will abide by these rules. I am sure that most teachers will have a pretty thorough understanding of what activities are acceptable and which activities are not. However, it is still very important for teachers to familiarize themselves with the AUP in case a "gray area" arises. Children need to learn how to acceptably use technology, and as teachers we are the facilitators of that.

Lastly, and most important of all, are emerging technologies (well, emerging to anyone who has lived under a rock for the last 4 years...or North Korea). What is the point of having technology standards and netiquette if children do not keep up with the continually evolving world of technology? As of right now, several not so emerging technologies are used by millions of people everyday. Some of these technologies include social networking sites such as Twitter and Delicious. Other technologies include Podcast (a downloadable, non-streaming visual or audio episode) and Google Docs (Google's free equivalent to Microsoft Office).

These new technologies are very important in today's world. Student's must know how to use these technologies because they are what is "in." There is a sort of "technological arms race" in which everyone must constantly be up to date with new technologies. A student who does not stay up to date with these technological innovations cannot possibly expect to make themselves marketable in the job world. As such, it is important that we as teachers stay in tune with emerging technologies for several reasons. As stated, we need to know what technologies are important to teach students for the job market. It is also important to stay ahead of technology that can be used to exploit the educational system (such as free-translation, or some other website that allows students to cheat). Lastly, knowing about emerging technologies will allow our students to learn. As stated in a previous blog, I did my field experience at a school that gave every student an IPod with course related apps. Although not every school may have these means, it is important that teachers know about emerging technologies to help our students learn. Sites lite Twitter or Facebook can allow teachers and students to (appropriately) communicate during off hours. If the student has a question, then the teacher can easily be contacted for help. Furthermore, things such as Youtube videos and Podcasts can be used by teachers to supplement their material and further student understanding. Understanding the popular technologies can also allow teachers to build their lessons around student interests. For example, instead of a research paper, students can be assigned a "Wikipedia Project" where students critique the Wikipedia entry on a given topic. Ultimately, what matters is student learning. There is no reason that teachers and students should not be aware of the many resources they have available at their fingertips to help facilitate that learning. 

Technology is consistently changing. As such, so are the rules and standards. As teachers, it is vital that we can stay on top of emerging technologies and better reach our students.

On the other hand, maybe new technologies aren't such a good thing.

In today's ever-changing world, children and young adults are more tech savvy than ever before. Dubbed "The Net Generation," it is increasingly important that educators implement new technologies into the classroom as a way to better reach this new type of student.

Furthermore, the use of technology in the classroom can be an essential tool in increasing learning. With computers and other new technologies, it is now possible for more students than ever to succeed. Previously, students sat in their chairs, listened to lecture, wrote notes, and prepared for tests. Now, students can participate in audio, visual, and hands-on learning. This process will allow them to find the learning style that best suits their abilities.

However, there is still a very fine line between technology's ability to supplement learning and its ability to hinder it. One such example that comes to mind is a 12th grade AP U.S. Government class that I observed during my field experience. Every student was given an IPod that contained several government-related apps. Although this can be a useful tool in allowing students to learn the material, this same technology can also hurt the student's ability to learn the necessary information. How can we teach our students by utilizing technology without creating an over-reliance on it? Will those government students ever actually learn the information on those apps? Or will they simply assume that all the information they need is a button click away?

Lastly, and possibly the most important aspect of using technology in the classroom is its impact on creativity. In today's world, more children than ever are graduating from high school and obtaining college degrees. As such, a type of educational inflation has occurred in which a college degree is no longer as meaningful as it once was. By using technology as a way to both learn and hone their creative sides, students will be able to develop skills that allow them to adequately compete in the job market.