giving podcasting a try

I'm in the works of planning my podcasting lesson plan, which I actually have a plan to implement next week. My school is actually participating in a podcasting pilot program, and I was more than excited to volunteer to participate! My plan is to have my students create anti-drug advocacy podcasts. I'm thinking that they can be anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on the type of message they want to send. I just have one question. How do I allow students to work and record their podcasts with 40 students in one classroom without too much noise? Hmmm......

Podcasting!

Before taking this course, I heard of podcasting, but never actually listened to one. I would see links on websites to download them, so I knew that they were very accessible. I would have never thought of using them in the classroom until now. I think that, especially after actually making my own podcasts, that it would be an interesting and simple way to convey information in schools. I spoke with the technology specialist at my school about it and she actually just purchased iPODs for the ESOL classroom to help with learning English.

In health and physical education, I could see students making podcasts about several topics. They could do interviews or reports on up-to-date health and fitness news, then relate it to their own personal lives. I would like to hear of other ideas on how I can incorporate podcasting in my curriculum!

Wikis

After reading the chapter on wikis, I now understand what they are all about. Prior to reading, I didn't really understand what a wiki was. I knew about wikipedia and actually referenced it often, but I didn't realize that it could be added on and edited by anyone. I am actually pretty impressed!

I can't help but think of ways I can incorporate wikis in my classroom as I read. I am really enjoying this book and the wiki chapter is written in a way that is so practical. I have 160 students, currently, so it might be difficult to maintain a wiki for all students. I thought that in health and PE, we could maintain a class wiki on a particular subject. Students could take notes throughout a unit, and every so often, we could add as a class. Other classes could make additions and edits, and finally, there would be an entire wiki on one unit. Students could use the wiki as a study guide in the end. Does anyone else have ideas for ways to use wikis with large groups of students?

Thoughts on Blogging in the Classroom

After reading the sections on blogging, I have a new perspective! Prior to the reading, I wasn't sure just how I could incorporate blogs into my classroom. I honestly thought it would be a waste of time. Now, after reading, I have come up with a few ideas on how I could make blogging "worth it" for my students. I especially liked the list of classroom uses of weblogs. It provided me with a list of ideas that I wouldn't have thought of on my own.

Being a health teacher, I like to have my students do personal reflections on the various health lessons. Blogging these thoughts gives students a chance to reflect in a different way, and I especially like the fact that other students could comment, and therefore, relate to others. :)

In PE, this could be a great way for students to keep tabs on their fitness. Others could offer advice or new ideas!

I am really looking forward to incorporating blogs in my classroom!

My First Blog!

This is the first time I have ever posted a blog! Congratulations to me! :)