Tool #9

1. Discuss how the screencast could help your students and how you might have students use Jing.
The screencast could help my students by being a great way to demonstrate the different steps for a project. I could pre-make a project to give the students an example, but have the different screen shots to show them the steps. This would take less time than demonstrating each step and waiting for the computer to load up each new screen in the classroom. Plus the students could access the screen shots at a later date if they needed clarification on a step.
I could have the students use Jing to introduce new students to the classroom programs we use in computer lab. This would allow new students to learn from their peers. Also, it gives me a chance to see who know exactly how to use each program correctly.

2. Discuss how you might use Skype with your students and share across the district, the state, the nation, or the world!
I can see using Skype with my students to hold interviews with different people in the community. When learning about community helpers the class could Skype with police officer, firefighters, doctors, etc. This would alleviate all the steps of getting a volunteered cleared to come to the classroom, waiting for them to arrive, and keeping them for questions. The date and time could be set up and the presenter could talk to the students. Plus the presenter could possibly Skype from their place of work which could lead to a virtual field trip. This would make lessons more interactive and meaningful to the students because they could view what they are learning about in a real scenario.
Skype would also be a great way to communicate with other teachers in the district about projects. The teachers could show each other samples over the video in Skype without having to take things off of the wall and bring them to a meeting place.
Skype would also be a great way for new teachers to watch master teachers teach a lesson. The new teacher could watch a lesson during her planning time and not have to worry about being a distraction in the classroom.