Monday, May 5, 2008
IEP in podcast form
My IEP revolves around using podcasting in the classroom. My vision was to teach a unit in US History on the Great Depression and and the New Deal using podcasting technology to enhance the experience of studying this crucial time period in history.
This was not a unit on podcasting. But through the rich material that already exists, podcasting can be used to liven the classroom and connect with the media that students are comfortable with. It really was not too difficult to find solid primary sources in podcasted form to air over the web for the class. Short commentaries and news stories of current events that connect the present with the past are available for use. Now, instead assigning students to read about the Firesides Chats of FDR, we can listen to the actual broadcasts, and discuss what was said and how they were used.
One of the most frustrating pieces of teaching is that when students are absent, it is the teacher that must work harder to catch the student up with the rest of the class. But by setting up a microphone, my lectures could be recorded and put on the web for students to access on their own. This releases the teacher from spending one on one time outside of class explaining material, or simply modifying the students expectations because they were not there for the instruction.
Lastly, podcasting is used in video, and I wanted to allow students the chance to podcast themselves. A common digital camera can be used to record presentations, and is easily uploaded to a teacher tube service for sharing. Here, the students practice presentation skills, learn about uploading to such services, and get to self critic their own performances.
Regrettably, I did not have the opportunity to use the lessons that I had worked so hard to prepare. My rural experience trip landed squarely when the class was to study the Great Depression and New Deal. Attempts were made to squeeze it in before the trip, but it just did not work out. Regardless, I have 6 excellent lessons waiting in the hopper to use in the future.
I learned quite a bit throughout this process. And the biggest thing is that podcasting is not scary. Young and old can do it. It is great for mixing up your curriculum and presenting current issues in the classroom. Publishing yourself and students is a bit more time consuming and takes more effort and infrastructure. But using the web to find great primary and secondary sources for students to listen to is not difficult to find. Unsure how to use the tech? Here's how I did it.
This was not a unit on podcasting. But through the rich material that already exists, podcasting can be used to liven the classroom and connect with the media that students are comfortable with. It really was not too difficult to find solid primary sources in podcasted form to air over the web for the class. Short commentaries and news stories of current events that connect the present with the past are available for use. Now, instead assigning students to read about the Firesides Chats of FDR, we can listen to the actual broadcasts, and discuss what was said and how they were used.
One of the most frustrating pieces of teaching is that when students are absent, it is the teacher that must work harder to catch the student up with the rest of the class. But by setting up a microphone, my lectures could be recorded and put on the web for students to access on their own. This releases the teacher from spending one on one time outside of class explaining material, or simply modifying the students expectations because they were not there for the instruction.
Lastly, podcasting is used in video, and I wanted to allow students the chance to podcast themselves. A common digital camera can be used to record presentations, and is easily uploaded to a teacher tube service for sharing. Here, the students practice presentation skills, learn about uploading to such services, and get to self critic their own performances.
Regrettably, I did not have the opportunity to use the lessons that I had worked so hard to prepare. My rural experience trip landed squarely when the class was to study the Great Depression and New Deal. Attempts were made to squeeze it in before the trip, but it just did not work out. Regardless, I have 6 excellent lessons waiting in the hopper to use in the future.
I learned quite a bit throughout this process. And the biggest thing is that podcasting is not scary. Young and old can do it. It is great for mixing up your curriculum and presenting current issues in the classroom. Publishing yourself and students is a bit more time consuming and takes more effort and infrastructure. But using the web to find great primary and secondary sources for students to listen to is not difficult to find. Unsure how to use the tech? Here's how I did it.
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