New Podcasting idea

I was thinking about having a collection of podcasts for each topic we discuss in social studies class. The students would make them at the end of a unit. They would come up with a script that would have to be approved and possibly added to by me to ensure information was accurate. The podcasts would be posted on the school webpage and parents could use them to help students study for test/quizzes or even the SOLs.

Using the digital video....

Ten years ago digital videos were just a futuristic idea, but today they are a reality. Using videos in the classroom is an idea that I had never had, however I think it might just be a great idea. I can see bringing the recorders in to have students make informational videos before they do a process writing assignment. If the students have to explain how they make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in front of the camera, then they write, they will have a visual graphic organizer that they can replay over and over. This might be a great way for student not to miss steps. If they were to do the video in pairs, one could be the doer and the other can narrate what each person is doing. Then they would write an idividual paper, while having the video available on the computer they are working on. So armed with a word processor, access to the video and the knowledge how to use both a student can write an incredibly detailed process paper.

Movie Stars

Technology is so new to schools that the guidelines are not set yet. It took days for me to get permission to video tape my students, because no one knew the rules and it came down to interpretations. I feel that schools should be ahead of the technology that is available....even if it is not countywide. Video Editing could be a great tool to use, but is it acceptable? If you had still shots that students find might be a better idea until the schools develop a policy.

What I have to say....

I think Podcasting might be a great tool to bring into the classroom. I think podcast would be a good way to build listening comprehension as well as to assess the information they have to say. This is a good way to hear what weak writers have to say...without fighting with them to complete a writing assignment.

Groups

I have seen how many of my students have difficulty working in groups due to disabilities and or ranges in levels of knowledge, however the wikis would be a great way for them to work together without working together. Similar to how we are doing the itsopedia activity, the students will be working together on a whole wiki, but alone on pages. It would give students the opportunity to show what they know and to improve on the weak members' work. Everyone can be proud without having the strong members carrying the weight.

Wiki Wiki Wiki

I like the concept of Wikis for group work. It is a great way to keep track of everything and it would solve the problem of oh my group member is out and they have everything in their email. I wonder what the rules are for wikis in schools? Are their guides or limits yet? The school system is so strict about internet use that I am almost afraid to ask if we can use it? Our students are so tech savvy, but the administrators are afraid of what is out there and who can sue for what.

Ahhhhh

I am not sure why this semester I feel so overwhelmed. I think it has to do with all of the outside school things I have to complete for SPED. I have five trainings to complete within a week and a half. I keep remembering things that I still need to do. My mind is all over the place this week.

I actually am looking foward to doing a blog activity with my students. We are about to start a black history month activity. My language arts co teacher and I decided to use the Black Americans that are part of Jason's curriculum. They have to do some research and then carry on conversations through the blog about the different people. They will have to ask questions and answer others. They will be back and forth with their research. I will monitor the sites and guide the conversations. Do you think this is a good idea? Any suggestions that might be better?