In preparation for the assignment, I did some research after reading the required selection's from the text, websites and podcasts. Wow! Teachers and students are doing some really neat and tech savvy work.
Prior to assisting a teacher setup a podcast for students or themselves, I would, first, want to work on setting up a workspace where they can be uploaded. I would want to 'play' around with it before I instructed others.
I found a great resource in another teacher's website. His name is Mr. Cosand and he and his students are podcasting, blogging and 'Wikiing' in Medford, Oregon. Their team name is the DreamExtreme.
Here, I found 5th grade students inspiring and encouraging me to do more with my students (I also saw it as a challenge and inspiration, as I am so easily terrified of technology and 'messing' something up). I am going to use his website as a reference resource for my near-future endeavors.
Today, I started research with my students. I pulled up the DreamExtreme's website on the projector and we spent 30 minutes checking out what other kids are doing. They were excited about the possibility of creating a blog, podcast and Wiki. They were even more excited about the possibility of connecting and collaborating with students across the country. Once they saw students presenting their assignments vocally through podcasts and visually through YouTube, they were hooked!
I still have tons of work to do with our IT department to find ways that we can can be just as tech savvy as other schools and students. I had some difficulties gaining access to some podcasts; so, I know there are many questions for my IT department. Here are a few areas of concern:
Space for podcasting?
Where to post to get the most visibility (audio)?
Can we afford a hosting site?
Permission from parents for voice recording?
Equipment necessary?
Is there enough time in 1 (50) minute class period every 2 weeks for producing quality work (we only have access to the computer lab twice a month)?
I have leverage, now. The kids have bought in, so I am in!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Some Thoughts About Intellectual Freedom
A couple of weeks ago I spent the day with my mentor. She is at another school within the same district. Her library is beautiful and filled from wall to wall with books. Kids are reading, checking out books, and waiting for some preferred titles.
I know that we checked out at least 400 titles in one day. I asked her why she thought her reading program was so successful. Along with incentives and healthy competition, her response was simply that they put books in their kids hands. They have what kids want. There were students checking out books on 2nd grade levels and 10th grade levels.
As we were discussing 'hot off the press' books, the topic of 'Urban Lit' or 'Street Lit' came up. We looked through this Summer's edition of a professional development magazine and it was spotlighting this trend in literature. She has several selections in this genre and can't keep it on the shelf...she also has an administration that supports her professional judgment.
I approached the media specialist in my media center with both the published article and some selections for a 'wish list'. Her response was that it was not middle school material; it was written for high school students. One of my concerns is that we have students within our population that should be in high school, students that are mature enough to read the selections and students that want to read them. I was frustrated with her response that I made a copy of the article and placed in my Principal's box with a 'wish list'.
Here is a link to an article in the School Library Journal:
I know that we checked out at least 400 titles in one day. I asked her why she thought her reading program was so successful. Along with incentives and healthy competition, her response was simply that they put books in their kids hands. They have what kids want. There were students checking out books on 2nd grade levels and 10th grade levels.
As we were discussing 'hot off the press' books, the topic of 'Urban Lit' or 'Street Lit' came up. We looked through this Summer's edition of a professional development magazine and it was spotlighting this trend in literature. She has several selections in this genre and can't keep it on the shelf...she also has an administration that supports her professional judgment.
I approached the media specialist in my media center with both the published article and some selections for a 'wish list'. Her response was that it was not middle school material; it was written for high school students. One of my concerns is that we have students within our population that should be in high school, students that are mature enough to read the selections and students that want to read them. I was frustrated with her response that I made a copy of the article and placed in my Principal's box with a 'wish list'.
Here is a link to an article in the School Library Journal:
Stewart Wins a Concert With Soulja Boy
Last December, Stewart Middle competed in V103's Toy's in da'hood. Our school was 1 that waon a concert with Atlanta's Soulja Boy.
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