This document discusses how different media technologies can be used as learning tools in the classroom. It describes several examples, including a school creating an online photo library where students wrote captions to describe images of their community, using Skype to communicate with people in other locations, and implementing blogging to encourage writing and receive feedback. The conclusion states that these technologies can help overcome obstacles, boost confidence in both the tools and subjects being taught, and integrate activities students enjoy into their education.

1. Photos, audio,
video, and
written text on
the computer
screen can all be
tools of learning
within the
classroom

2. Power of Blogs in
Skype
Pictures English
Conclusion
References

3. A school community consisting of
grades K-8 teachers and students alike,
created a image library through
photographs. This library was
distributed and posted online, e-mailed,
and printed out. All contributed images
that had significance to the school and
community. Each image had a text
written about them because it was
more fun to write in regards to the
community than something else. This
was all done to have kids engaged in
something more meaningful.

4. “Digital photos served as a memory link for students’
experiences as well as a tangible prompts for descriptive
language and tools for organizing a sequenceof events.”
- This quote is significant because it sums up how the
activity was so successful. When students saw a picture,
they were able to quickly define it by what it was in
addition to telling their personal experiences with the
subject of the image. This built confidence in writing
when they were ask to define the picture and document
it within the image library.

5. -The article mentions “Schema’s Theory” that tells that prior knowledge is
needed for the addition of new knowledge. So in that case, writing about
a familiar setting such as their school and community will help them write
more broadly in the future. Others reading the text of the image library
will be able to form connections.
-Students of younger grades reading the captions created from the older
levels were able to build on reading skills quicker. Because the image
would be familiar, the vocabulary that described it would be easier to
comprehend and relate.
-Having a weekly photographer gave students a sense of responsibility.
Communication built in the classroom because students would ask others
where the picture was taken; some would ask parents to for pictures they
had to contribute.

6. The article from the Tahlequah Daily
Press speaks of an emerging
technology of Skype and how it is
being utilized in the classroom.
Skype, created in 2003, is a program
available for download that allows
free audio and video calls from across
the world. A technology in education
teacher from Northeastern State
University takes advantage of the
system.

7. “One of our class discussions is how you can use Skype in
a classroom. If you wanted to talk to an archaeologist
out on a dig, or talk to a classroom in China, you can.”
-This is a quote within a quote; Kevin Stretch, a
technology in education professor, is describing the
usefulness of Skype. Being that the only things needed
to chat is a camera on your laptop and a wifi
connection, students of all ages can communicate with
unique people of varied cultures and careers.

8. -I’ve used Skype myself for about a year, but never thought of the
possibilities of the service. I ‘skype’ fellow college friends who have
been using the program since obtaining their laptops. Video calls
are made in addition to the easy chat system which is like AIM
messenger system, but more reliable than Facebook’s chat.
-The article tells that Skype makes up 12% of the world’s international
calls. International calls come with an optional, but fair fee. Skype
could quickly grow into the larger, most popular system and
become a household name.
-The technology in education teacher uses the program as a topic of
discussion and as a tool to communicate with his very own class.
The students are able to download Skype and message or call the
the teacher if they have any questions on a current
assignment.

9. Educational website, Literacy News, features a recent
essay that presents how blogs can be a technology
relevant in the English classroom. The essay begins by
illustrating the classic English classroom and teaching
methods by having the teacher speak and students doing
a lot of writing. It is already known that
typing is a skill needed in today’s
world, so why not apply both typing
and English education through
blogging.

10. “It is paramount for students to have a record of their
thoughts and their progress as a writer and user of
English. The advent of computers, PDA, mobile phones, e-
mail, and the Internet usher in a new world of recording
ones thoughts”
-The quote speaks for itself. Paper and pencil almost seems
like the Stone Age. This especially true as I’ve found in
college because I’m always turning in typed assignments via
internet. Papers can be easily lost, but hopefully one
wouldn’t go misplacing their computer anytime for it can
be a collection of typed thoughts. Typed ideas can also
have a spot on a blog website so it is never lost. Students
should utilize the technology available to hold their ideas
and present them to others.

11. - The essay mentions the addictiveness of blogging and journaling.
Teachers will never see it as a bad thing that students are enjoying
writing on their own. Of course, when students are doing more and
more often, the skills will grow and grow.
- Feedback can come quickly with the comments on such blog
websites. Students and teachers alike can give a reflection on the
work, similar to how this class works.
- A point is made in the writing that using the internet to blog needs
to be handled with care. Precautions must be taken to set up a
private group of some sort. Obviously, this all must be done on the
same blogging website. It needs to stay as a learning community
and not become a social network.

12. Whether it be a photo, audio, live video, or a
collection of typed texts on an Internet format,
different types of media seen and used in everyday
life can be a learning tool in the classroom. Using
such media can help overcome obstacles by taking a
different approach to them. These technologies and
methods presented can all be confidence boosters
when not only accomplishing the tool, but also the
subject integrated with it. The activities and
programs at hand are used for our person
enjoyment and can be applied to the classroom as
well.

13. • Gabriel, R., & Gabriel, M. (2010). Power in Pictures: How a Schoolwide
Photo Library Can Build a Community of Readers and Writers. Reading
Teacher, 63(8), 679-682. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier
database June 22, 2010
• Ridge, B. (2010, June 23). Breaking Communication Barriers Using Skype.
Tahlequah Daily Press. Retrieved June 23, 2010
• Theoretical and Practical Applications of Emergent-Technology in ELT
Classrooms; How The Blog Can Change English Language Teaching (2010,
June 16). Retrieved June 23, 2010