Journal #8 "I Can See Me: Webcams In The Classroom" NETS-T II

Frey, T, Houlton, A, & Gruis, E. (2010, November). I can see me: webcams in the classroom. Learning and leading with technology, 38(3), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-november.aspx

Summary
I'd like to start by saying, this article was really interesting. Incorporating webcams into the classroom started with a third grader named Sam, who was having trouble with his reading skills. Sam didn't enjoy reading at all or aloud to the rest of the class. His teacher had an idea of having him read in front of a webcam so he could see himself and correct his errors. It turned out to be a great idea and Sam, and now other students who are using the webcam as a tool, have greatly increased their reading skills. The webcam is also used for academic skills such as listening comprehension and spelling. Another advantage to using the webcam is that students can videotape themselves or audiotape themselves and then share their work and ideas online via social networking sites, DVDs, emails, or just loading it on to flash drives. Again it's just another tool to open up the doors to more opportunities.

Q#1- What's another way to use the webcam in the classroom?
The first thing I thought of after reading this article was using the webcam to practice giving speeches. So many students, actually people in general, fear public speaking. A great way to practice would be using the webcam. Although it is different because you are just staring at yourself and not a classroom of 30 people, it still allows you to work on skills like looking up and making eye contact and not moving around a lot. Students can record themselves and play it back to see what needs improvements and what they did well.

Q#2- How do you get webcams in the classroom?
Like everything they cost money but are fairly inexpensive. Also, a webcam for each computer would be unnecessary; I would imagine that 10 or so per classroom would be plentiful and like many activities that take place in the classroom the webcams can be set up as stations where kids take turns using them. Some sort of rotation could be put into place so everyone gets a turn. Just like using the computer to write word documents, students can use the webcams each week to better their reading skills.