After starting my first web blog EVER, I am now beginning to write my second post. In our first class for Designs for Technology Enhanced Learning, we reviewed the syllabus and talked about the different ways that technology affects our lives every day. I now understand that there are different extremes, good and bad, in technology and a lot of things in between. For example, in class we discussed the YouTube video involving the snow day and the message that a wife left on an answering machine. This woman was utterly embarrassed on national television because of the technological ability of one student. The first day of class taught me that as a teacher I must be constantly aware of the growing technological divide between adults and students. Although I completely understand how important technology is in children’s lives and the need for teachers to teach technology, as a teacher, I can never be too careful.
Therefore, over the past week I did some research on my own. I checked out some of the available blogs and podcasts on our class website. I found it truly amazing that teachers across the country have the ability to communicate online, through blogs and podcasts, what they are teaching everyday in the classroom. One blog that I found particularly interesting was “Room 613 Talk.” In this sixth grade Social Studies class, Mr. Hetherington (their teacher) invited his students to work on podcasts online as well as post their latest writings in blog form on their class’s blog. The podcasts range from discussing the jazz band at their school to their very own holiday edition. The one thing that I could not figure out about the podcasts was that when I listened to the students talking, their words seemed as if they had been “fast forwarded.” The students were talking so fast that I barely could understand what they were saying. However, it was still fascinating that sixth graders had managed to use this technology with little help from their teacher. The blogs were also very remarkable. The blogs range from discussing the latest websites for students to check out, poetry, facts on the Ghost Rider insect, prices on the “greatest cars in the world”, and Google trends. I enjoyed reading the student’s posts because it really let me into the mind of a sixth grader. Also, the blog website provides the students with an easily accessible place to write down their thoughts.
The second site that I found to be kind of intriguing was the WJJL radio. This radio website is a monthly radio show where sixth grade students host podcasts for everyone to hear. The students came up with a fascinating theme for their show, entitled “Where education meets utilization.” I found this tagline for the show to be perfect. Students are using their knowledge of technology to incorporate the subject area that they are learning. The podcasts have a wide range of subject areas, including recycling, “Reader’s Theater” where students could learn about the books they are reading, ancient Egypt, and even space.
Overall, listening to the podcasts and reading the blogs was very enjoyable. I am interested to learn throughout the semester new and exciting ways to incorporate technology into the classroom. I get the feeling that podcasts and blogs is just the beginning.
Room 613 Talk: http://room613talk05.edublogs.org/
WJJL Radio: http://www.cbsd.org/millcreek/jaffe/podcast/index.html
