TeacherTube

http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=560&title=Writers_on_Writing&ref=Aliceantics


TeacherTube provides a means to tap into the skills and knowledge of teachers from around the globe. This technology grants us access into a myriad of teaching ideas, pedagogies and classroom activities. Before the emergence of the Internet, a teacher would have to be extremely proactive, and have a lot of spare time, and possibly money, to communicate their ideas so readily into a form that could be carried around the world. Text books and articles in education journals will still only be read (and written) by the most eager, but with new ICTs so readily available and easy to use, information can be passed on at a whim. Essentially, this means that new perspectives and an enormous range of pedagogies become accessible to everyone, both to transmit knowledge, and to receive it.

Not only can we directly use what is on TeacherTube, for structuring lessons or showing the class, but it can also be used to generate new ideas for lessons. I might use a little from Mrs James' clip on a Science Rap, and combine that with Miss Smith's explanation of scientific principles in relation to literacy to come up with a lesson plan that neither Mrs James nor Miss Smith could ever have envisioned.

TeacherTube is an ultimate way of pooling knowledge with other professionals in the same field. We check it out because we care about the learning outcomes of our students and we contribute to give back to the forum which has helped us.

I looked through TeacherTube and analysed many of the different formats presented, as well as information offered. The particular video that I have embedded in this Post I chose because I have a strong interest in developing literacy skills and engaging learners in the reading and writing process.

I think the music, combined with the subtle background where the quotes are therefore emphasised, creates an emotional response in the viewer. Emotional memory is strong - we are much more likely to remember something that had an emotional impact on us, than just recalling some declarative knowledge about a topic that wasn't particularly engaging. This video would be wonderful to show the students before asking them to write a creative text, hopefully motivating those (too many) students who are unwilling to create their own texts.

Watch and make up your own decision, but I certainly felt that time-stopping feeling of inspiration that wanted me to pick up a pen and paper (or at least tap on a keyboard) and get to it.

Enjoy...