Sunday, 27 March 2016

Week 11: Michelle's final weekly reports and reflections



Hi guys!

You sure read the title right, my last blog. Rather than sobbing over its end, let’s just finish off with a normal blog post. Last week I talked about Animoto. A super cool slideshow presentation tool that allows you to create a short video with words, pictures videos and music! This is a great tool if you have a presentation at school. In fact, I myself am currently creating an Animoto video for one of my classes because I thought it was a great way to get my point across all while keep the audiences attentions with cool songs and pictures. 

This week I am going to talk about a tool that allows you to verbally present ideas rather than expressing your idea via written formats. Webcasting is this tool.

Webcasting = Podcasting?
 Ya essentially webcasting is podcasting. It is like a radio show that “you can listen to whenever you want!” according to CNN news’video. If you have read one of my other pages I briefly go over what a podcast is and how it relates to digital learning. Go check the page out!

Much like blog, anybody can be a podcaster is it interests them but it must be noted that they are a little more difficult to use than other tools that I have shared with you. It requires you to (if you do not already have it) download and acquire other tools to facilitate a podcast. This includes a microphone or voice recorder and flash (a software for viewing multimedia content).

Benefits of Webcasting

A good thing about webcasting is that if you do not have great writing skills, like myself, this tools is meant for you! It is also useful for educational purposes because you can verbally communicate your information rather than writing it. Thus, helping you practice your presentation skills without actually going up and presenting to someone. In saying that, this tool also helps build knowledge in public speaking whereby you learn how to verbally communicate information. You also build knowledge in voice management. You become more aware of the importance of your tone of voice and the importance of keeping the listeners attention. The biggest benefit is that you are gaining more knowledge about a new tool! Ever since I have used a computer, I would always voice my opinion via written material; but now 10-15 years later here I am finally learning how to podcast.

Image result for soundcloudWebcasting vs. other collaborative/communication tools
Like I mentioned before you are not writing the information or your ideas. When you are writing information things might not be taken in the right context (ie. “Let’s check it out!” could be interpreted as me being happy and wanting to go check something out orrrr it could be interpreted as me being angry and aggressive). Using something like soundcloud(a webcasting tool) allows your listeners to better understand the meaning behind your words. However, this tool could be harder to follow. When writing a blog you can have sub title making it easier for the reader to follow your ideas but when talking the listener might get confused as to what you’re talking about. Also depending on the person, having a more visual representation might be easier for them rather than verbal representation. This tool is better for on the go and hands free activities such as driving. You can download a podcast on your phone then play it in your car while you are driving, where as written stuff like blogs would disable you from doing certain tasks like driving.

Webcasting and my PLE
I could put webcasting under sharing content; but I would create two new sub titles called : written content and verbal content where by Soundcloud would go under the verbal part. I would put it under this theme because I am sharing information to listeners and communicating that information via a verbal format. Speaking of communicating, I could also put it under communication because like I said I am giving listener the opportunity to listen to my opinions. They could also share their opinions via comments and by sharing my content via other social media outlets.
And so, that concludes the last of my blog posts. I hope I have given you some insight into digital literacy and the digital worlds, as well as given you some helpful tools for collaborative use and educational purposes.

Hope you have a great year!

Cheers.

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