I was searching for an article that related to using new tools in the classroom and found this article http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/03/technology/techspecial3/03ethan.html. The article was titled, New Tools: Blogs, Podcasts, and Virtual Classrooms. This article discusses a classroom that consistently uses podcasts in their classrooms. This class designed an online radio show in the form of a podcast to feature daily news, activities, and other related areas. The students who are involved in this production are third and fourth graders. The number one aspect that matters is, “Are the students motivated to do all the things to keep it running.” This was the key for this teacher because he was able to look over the project, and make sure everything was appropriate and accurate, but the students made all the effort to keep it running. The research these students put forth beside their daily work is incredible. The opportunity this teacher provided his students made not just an impact on the entire school, but the world of technology.
The way the teachers get their students to blog is to make the topic interesting to them. This will jump start the use of blogging worldwide. This opened the door for students to blog about several different subjects to get different view points on topics of concern. No matter what age students are their voice counts and using technology enhances their opportunity to make it heard. Technology is made to be interactive and the classroom needs to be designed around that. Overall, I thought this was an extremely good article about the new tools used in technology. I hope the world understands that students have the ability to contribute to what is going on, if they are given the chance. That chance starts with teachers, parents, and other students working together to make it happen as a whole. It takes hard work, dedication, focus and a lot of other tools to develop the classrooms these teachers made, but it’s only possible if you give it a try.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
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3 comments:
Travis,
I think it is amazing to see what kids can do when they really want to. If you can create something that they are really interested in they will put forth the effort and create something absolutely amazing. I think that a radio show for the students would be something that they would really enjoy. The students wouldn’t even realize all of the things that they are able to learn just by creating their daily radio show. You are teaching them responsibility and they are taking pride in what they are creating. I think that this would be interesting to try in the classroom. I think that as you said in your review the students would do most of the work because they don’t want it to sound bad when everyone will be listening to it.
I like how you noted that when using blogging you are giving students a chance for their voice to be heard. I totally agree with that. I know that in kindergarten each student is so excited to tell me everything (even if inappropriate) that is going on at home and with their family. They just love to share. I think over time some of the students loose that and using blogging is a great way to make sure that each student has a chance for their voice to be heard and for them to understand that what they have to say is important.
Travis,
This article was Amazing!! After reading your thoughts on the article I went back and read the article in its entirety and was blown away by it. When we were given this assignment I was scared to have my kids to podcasts. Not for the fear of them using it, me finding the time to do it and keep it going, but this article helped me realize that once I get it started the students enthusiasm will carry it on and lead into them blogging.
We do need to teach children that their voices and thoughts are important and do deserve to be heard!
Thanks for the great article find!
Travis, I agree that this article is a great find. You did a superb job in analyzing it as well. It's important for teachers to understand that podcasting, blogging, and other web 2.0 tools are not supposed to be hassles for the teacher. With the appropriate facilitation, these tools can not only let the students to "heard" but only eliminate time consuming efforts by the teacher. Getting past that first hurdle of learning it is the challenge. Keeping it running is the easy part!
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