I had an opportunity to attend Region 8's Digital Media Expo on November 16, 2010. I attended the keynote address by Kevin Honeycutt as well as his presentation on Teaching "Wired" Learners. I also attended an extended session on Broadcasting in the Classroom. I have included a summary of what I learned.
Kevin Honeycutt expanded on his keynote address from the day before, as well as going into greater depth. Some of the topics covered included the use of Google Sketchup, a free program created by Google, which introduces students to CAD in a simple format that anyone can use. Along with Sketchup, he demonstrated the use of AR Media, a free plug-in for Sketchup and allows you to place a 3D version of a Sketchup model virtually into the hands of a presenter using a webcam and a printed marker. This awesome tool is demonstrated on Kevin's website under AR Media. He also demonstrated how he could take students on a virtual field trip using technology such as a webcam and Skype.
The Broadcasting in the Classroom discussion demonstrated setting up a free streaming channel on UStream.tv and using webcams to create live streaming broadcasts of the classroom. The presenter demonstrated this technology by creating a broadcast of his presentation, and showed how an instructor could switch between different views, such as viewing the projector image or smartboard screen, the presenter, and the classroom. He discussed practical uses for a classroom broadcast such as keeping absent students current with classroom lectures and allowing parents to "visit" the classroom virtually to see special class projects.
The uses for technology in education are vast and impressive. We need to look into these resources and explore ways to implement them in the classroom.
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