There will be NO plodcasts here!!!!

This is not a typeo.  Podcast, at times can be plodding and dull.  It is up to us as educators to uses these tools effectively, with purpose and make them relevant!!!!!!

The educational relevance is potentially high--for the right project and type of learner.  For younger learners--and I am not solely speaking from an age standpoint but from an "academic maturity" one-- podcasts may not be the best technology, as it requires a certain amount of discipline to be autonymous and requires good listening skills.

From my perspective, perhaps the most exciting use of this technology is its application in project based learning.    Students involved in creating podcasts must use higher levels of thinking and creativity as well as problem solving skills. They have the opportunity to use their imaginations by writing and acting out scripts while learning how to work with the technology itself.  There are so many ways to get the students engaged: 1) Have them develop an audio review of keyboarding techniques for new students; 2) History of the computer, pick a technology, inventor and how it has impacted 21st century learning; 3) Develop a marketing idea for a new product or service that they plan to sell; 4) Overview of the stockmarket and why we should care.  The list is endless for the authentic problems here.

In my opinion (again, I am a technology and real-world biggot), this offers an excellent platform for the students to learn and express themselves.  As a teacher, I can also use it to provide feedback to the students and even send out links to parents.  Facilitates communication.  I have heard it is like "TiVO for lectures," which is true but it can be more student centered--as the paragraph above indicates.

Verbal lessons that students may miss or to get special tutorial background infomation.  Study guides--deliver audio and video content.  If students are sick, the lesson highlights (more on this later....) can be available for review.  Instructors can use links on the sites for further exploration and content reinforcement.

Idea that students can learn anywhere at anytime--again the learner based limitations--not aged base.  There are some middleshoolers that owuld thrive on this and I know some high schoolers that would site and still not pay attention.

Risk putting too much out there--cramming for exams by just listening to the podcast.  Cheating if student do their own.  Better approach would be to highlight the informational content.  That way, the student still needs to use effective note taking and review techniques. 

Love to see what data is out there on using both to see if studying or test scores improve.  I would hope listening skills would improve.

Remember....keep it "real"

To Wiki or Not to Wiki? That is the question....

Love borrowing famous lines and twisting them up to get attention....OK, so I amuse myself--go figure, right?

From my perspective of keeping it real in the classroom, I professionally like the idea of wiki's.  As long as they are carefully scaffolded and coached through the process and there are some "rules of engagement," there should be no reason NOT to. All teachers can uses them in their curriculums and it dovetails with keyboarding (a personal favorite).  It gives the teacher the "technology cool" factor that students have said are lacking in today's educators.  To much paperbased, not enough computers or lab time.  Teachers are not up to date with today's kids, right?  Perhaps....

There is a great quote floating around that all teachers should emulate.  It is based from a financial stand point but it is relevant to all of us:  “when students understand that every single class they participate in contributes directly to their life goals…”  Wikis can tie into any curriculum--Art, LA, Math, Science, PE.  They are often a first point of departure for research and are carefully managemed.  Why not use them.  Technology and keeping real-world curriculums will help students attain there life goals.

To wiki or not to wiki?  I say wiki away--big time!!!

Brainstorming and Blogs--Make It So

Alright....for my next post, I am going to put out some ideas for blogging in my classroom.  These are geared towards technology, since I am a keyboarding teacher.   Which one of these do you think students would enjoy the most?  Why?

Brainstorm:

The Ups and Downs of Technology--What is good and what is bad and WHY do you feel that way

Improvements in Middles School Technology--What would YOU do?

Invention: Computer Technology—Pic one and discuss the relevance to society or detriment to socient.  Impact to you and business.  How will it evolve in the future? 

Post or shoot me an email!

Until later, be sure you are keeping it real-word!

Mr S.,

The Chairman of the Board!