Comments on: When I Hear the Word “Virtual” I…

By: Linda Zajac

Linda Zajac — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 17:51:06 +0000

I really like some of the new videos made by the American Chemical Society. They use sound, movement, cartoon-like pictures, and humor to make the science videos captivating.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Mbf1Pfl_2U&feature=mfu_in_order&playnext=1&videos=W6YKaJ5tTeY
This one is pretty funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPaYAsd48dU

By: Vicky Alvear Shecter

Vicky Alvear Shecter — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:17:32 +0000

Oh, I love the word, “immersion.” That’s exactly right–that’s what we want from books and that’s what we want from our “virtual” experiences. I am not an “early adopter” of technology so I enjoy watching braver people figure these things out for us!

By: Marc Aronson

Marc Aronson — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:54:14 +0000

Interesting, I like that formula — more prep time but class zips by — reminds me in a way of preparing powerpoint slide shows when I visit schools or do Teacher Training. It takes some time, searching, to gather materials from hither and yon and weave them into a digital presentation, but then the actual event is just fun.

By: Mira

Mira — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:37:16 +0000

What I have learned is that I cannot now teach without technology – and I mean that in a positve way. I have come to rely on all of the wonderful resources out there. On the other hand, I now work harder than I ever have before in terms of preparation. I spend hours and hours sorting through teaching opportunities on the web as well as educating myself via technological resources never before available. My classes seem to have speeded up.
I feel a little like a television producer vying for 3 minutes on the air. This is a radical change that I have not seen discussed much. A number of years ago, Shoshanna Zuboff wrote a series in the HBR about how technology changes workflow. I see that happening with educators
( at least the better ones ) : more prep time and less class time. I really give homework but I always make comments about how this or that would make a great project for someone to work on independently. I do find that kids will ask for links to sites we have accessed which is always good to hear. Sometimes, I tell them it is a secret – they have to come to class to find out. I imagine that this change in workflow is on an upward line. This site saves me enormous amounts of time by referring me to great sites.