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I read about this service on Dangerously Irrevalent today and it got me thinking of it's application in the classroom. My immediate thoughts are that this would be a great speech therapy tool. It might also be a great tool for students with reading and writing issues. Students could speak and see how their words should appear. I have to experiment with it a bit to see what other potential benefits it might have. If anyone has any other ideas please post a comment.

K-12 Online Conference 2007

Interactive Webcam in the Classroom?

I have spent some time the last two days playing around with webcam games. These are games that, if you have a webcam, you can play by moving. You control objects on the screen with your image. Amazing! My first thought is that this interface could be used to overcome 1st grader problems reaching the smartboard. Second, I thought this might offer some way of many students interacting with the projection at the same time. Third, and most obviously, this technology has immediate and definite uses in Physical Education. I wonder if there is an easy way to create these kinds of games and programs. It would be nice to be able to make interactive learning games and simulations that make use of interactive webcam technology.

http://www.extendedreality.com/webcam_games_info.html - site with links to interactive webcam games

Google Maps Street View

WOW! This is amazing. I wonder how long it will take to capture every street in the US. Actually, I am more interested in them capturing streets in more distant locals. There are some obvious educational applications of this tool. Now, if these panoramic images could be done as webcams and broadcast video in real time and we merged this technology with Second Life it would be amazing. Stationary panoramic webcams could also contain microphones and speakers. Those in the virtual version of a location could hear what was going on and talk to actual people there. Plus, virtual buildings could be constructed within a context of real space. I do believe we are not far from something like this being a reality. Complex? Yes. But approaching technology transparency.

Social Networking Good For Education

I always suspected this to be true: From Education Week: Teenagers’ Social Networking Found to Have Educational Benefits in Poll

Sratch!

Now, how am I going to get elementary school teachers to use this with their kids? Sounds like a good way for students to create interactive content that might be good for use on the SMARTboard as well. I think I might show this video at one of our faculty meetings.