Instant Messaging and Video Email, Skype, Meebo, YackPack....

[Cyndi Danner-Kuhn]

Teachers from the Trenches please tell us about their experiences using these tools (Instant messanger, Meebo, Eyejot, Skype, YackPack, etc....

TECS 390 Students: Your reflection should include how you envision using these tools in your own classroom someday and what you learned through your exploration. THINK, THINK!!!

[carolyn Walker]

I am using eyejot as my video email tool. My instant messaging user name is jklwalker. I liked how easy is was to video email through eyejot, after a mistake with the microphone the process was fairly easy. I would use the eyejot for students to receive help on homework. To send notes to parents about what is going on in the classroom, and what is coming up in the future. This also could help students who have been absent in the classroom, I would be able to give them a small lesson on assignments.

[Linda]

I have attempted to upload and add eyejot with no success. I had to download a newer version of Adobe-did that, did not help. Still trying -will let you know how it goes.

[Emily Baker]

Hello everyone!! I am using Meebo as my video email tool. I really enjoy it so far! It is very simple to use, and is easy for everyone to get accustomed to. It was really easy to use the Video Chat, and with my LogiCam webcam, it was great! This would be fun to use in the upper elementary grades with students from neighboring schools to teach eachother what they have learned, and to learn from other students. If possible, it would be beneficial for my students to chat with other students from different states and countries. It would definitely have to be closely monitored, but in the long run I really believe my students could learn from using Video Chat, and I also believe that they would be enthusiastic about using it. Today's students seem so excited about using anything that involves technology-here we go-let's win our students' hearts!

[Emily Baker]

I forgot to add my screen name at Meebo- feel free to add me!
It is: ebbaker

Thanks!

[Amy Brungardt]

I was really surprised at how easy it can be to set up a webcam. Because I have never done anything like it, I suppose it seemed hard to me. I was excited to use it, a bit intimidated at first, but then found it to be lots of fun! I sent several to friends and family even!
As for uses in the classroom, I think it could be very educational. First thought, is how much more fascinating a lesson could be if there were real people to talk with out there and actually see. The students would be more excited to learn as they hear and understand it - and see it - coming from other people (not just their teacher). The second thought, is what about using it for little things in the classroom that could be videoed and then sent to the parents at home. Since parents can't always make it to things, maybe this could be a way to get them involved and not feel like they completely missed their child's event. Or to talk with a person in another country when discussing a particular theme or country.
The possibilities seem endless. There are many ideas that I imagine would just come to you as a teacher to find ways to use the webcam. I would really like to integrate this idea into mine someday.

To chat, here is my screen name: [e-mail]

[Cyndi Danner-Kuhn]

Some good ideas beginning to develop. Takes a little practice, so try to use the tool in your personally life, that will give you needed practice and then when you choose to use with your students you'll be an expert!

[Heather Stallbaumer]

Reflection Two: Instant Messaging

I had a little trouble setting this account up. I currently have a gmail account and I IM through this program. I tried to add Dr. Danner-Kuhn and it wouldn’t go. Below is my account that I’ve set up with AIM hgstallbaumer1.
I also chose to use eyejot as my video email. I like this video email, but I'm not sure exactly how I would use it. One way that I could use the video email is to help students that are sick. I could record the lectures that have taken place throughout the day while they were gone! Another way that I could use it would be as a Daily Assignment reminder. This would allow the students to refresh thei memories of what homework they have due. I'm not sure how often I would use this program. I would like to know if real teachers use it in their classrooms now and what they use it for. That would help me to work with the program in different situations to see if it would work for my classroom.

[Hunter Ward]

I imagine when I get into the classroom, I will utilize these tools as much as possible. I've had a great deal of experience with using Skype and I plan to stay in contact with my teacher friends from other countries. With Skype or other IM tools for that matter, I can come up with ideas for activities or compare what we are doing to what they are covering. I hope to go over some various cultures in my classroom and conduct a class Skype call asking questions to students of that particular cultural group. Another aspect that I really think I will take advantage of in the future is collaborating with fellow teachers. Just this last semester, I sent an email to a teacher in Finland and asked him for an assignment that we had to do. By using the same IM device it would be easier to stay in contact and swap ideas more frequently. I'm sure there are endless possibilities with using these programs in your classroom and I hope to incorporate as many as possible. I learned in my exploration that there are various options for staying in touch on the internet, each with its perks and downfalls. In today's society, not staying in touch is just not an option.

[Hunter Ward]

Whoops, my screen name for AIM is h21ward

[Jenny May Stewart]

Hi there! I am using Eyejot as my video email tool. I thought it was extremely easy and quick to set up. I think that Eyejot would be extremely easy to use for anyone and especially in the classroom. I haven’t had a lot of time to practice with it yet but so far it seems to be useful. I think that once I get the hang of it and know what I am doing, this would be great to use within my classroom. Being able to use this kind of technology opens countless doors. Teachers could use this type of tool in order to talk with students’ who were absent or even do video conferencing with parents on a regular basis.

My screen name on AIM is JennyMayStewart…..how original huh! =)

[Linda]

I have the webcam set up. It is official, I feel like I am getting better at this technology stuff:) I have set up eyejot finally but still need to get a picture on there-feeling a little vain and didn't want a picture of me from this time of the night. I will get it set up tomorrow and start inviting friends.

[Linda]

Teachers should use this for the absent children and to keep up to date with collegues and the new ideas they are using in their classrooms. I really think this is going to be a great tool once I get more comfortable with it. Interacting with people from around the world would be great for teaching diversity in the classroom, expanding the views of children in remote parts of the country,and in small towns like mine. Children can see first hand how other children their age live in other parts of the world-it really is a great tool that can be used in many creative ways.