Podcasts

Sources:
http://recap.ltd.uk/podcasting/professional/learninginhandipods.php
Podcast: Learning in Hand: iPod Episode: ipods #7: iQuiz

http://thetechteacher.libsyn.com/
Podcast: The TechTeacher Podcast Episode: Have You Listened to a Good Book Lately?

The first podcast I listened to was called “IQuiz”. It talked about a new software that allows teachers and students to make customized quizzes available on iPods. iQuiz comes preinstalled on all new iPods, or it can be downloaded. Once you make a quiz, it can be synced to as many iPods as you want so that the quiz can be made available to an entire classroom. The quiz can be made in multiple choice or True/ False format. If you get the wrong answer, the correct answer appears. iQuiz also supports different users on one iPod, so that multiple students can take the quiz and save their results. The software to make the quizzes is free. The program even has an iPod simulator so that you can use the quiz even if you don’t have an iPod. Teachers can import free pre-made quizzes online at http://www.iquizshare.com/ or http://www.iquizr.com/. They can also add or change questions to these downloaded quizzes.

I think using iQuiz in the classroom is an excellent way to get students involved in their own learning. They can create their own quizzes to review, and then practice quizzes that other students made. By using technology, we are “speaking” to kids in their own terms through iPods. Taking the quizzes on their iPods also allows the students to learn from their mistakes, without feeling embarrassed for not knowing an answer. I think it is an excellent addition to any classroom!

The second podcast I listened to was called “Have You Listened to a Good Book Lately?”. This podcast was about using audio books in the classroom. It can be used for special needs students, or with ESL students to help them build vocabulary and literacy skills. It can also be used to get students captured in the excitement of reading. Even teachers can use audio books to keep up with literature in their busy lives. Using audio books allows educators to meet different learning styles in the classroom by allowing the students to move at their own pace. Having mp3 kits in the classroom also can be used to expose students to different reading sources. They can download audio books, stories, magazines, and newspapers online at http://www.audible.com/.

Audio books, in my opinion, are an excellent way to promote reading skills in the classroom. Some students think reading is boring, but if they listen to audio books, they are still reading and building vocabulary. Also, it may get them interested in a certain book that they would like to read later on. Audio books also allow students of all abilities to learn. A child with dyslexia, for example, would still be able to follow along with the class discussion on a book.

Podcasts can support literacy instruction because they allow students to learn from different methods. Students will be engaged in their learning by creating their own podcasts, listening to audio books, making and practicing iQuizzes, etc. Podcasts allow students to get involved in their own learning. Podcasts are also beneficial to students with disabilities, such as dyslexia or blindness. ESL students can benefit from podcasts as well as they develop vocabulary and pronunciation skills.

After listening to these podcasts, I thought of a few ways that podcasts could be used in my own practicum classroom.
1. The students can practice their oratory skills by reading stories aloud.
2. The students can enhance their French through the language podcasts.
3. The students can make podcasts about their music class- singing songs they learned.
4. The students can create a podcast sharing the stories they have written during class.
5. The students can make a podcast describing what they learned about meal worms as they watched them grow!

All of these also allow the outside community to see what the students are doing in the classroom. Parents can listen to their own child tell a story, sing a song, or read aloud! It’s a great way to get them involved in their child’s learning.

Ideas for Language Arts Curriculum Unit

Pen-Pals
I am planning on making a language arts unit for a 5th grade classroom on journal writing. By using the web to connect to students from other countries, the students could set up a pen-pal network. They could send emails and regular mail, share blogs, send photos, and even send videos. This would be a great way for students to begin practicing narrative writing. They can share their experiences. This will get students excited about writing because they will love learning about what other kids have to say all around the world. It is also a good way to incorporate the learning of culture into this unit.

Kidspiration
The program Kidspiration is a great way to incorporate computers and language arts. Students can use the program to help jumpstart their writing process. They can make story webs and then transform them into outlines. It is a great way to help students organize their ideas and makes it fun for them to create! Kidspiration can also be used for learning vocabulary and its uses. For instance, each student can research a new word, and make a web putting links such as synonyms, acronyms, and example sentences. It is a way for them to practice building vocabulary and it also makes the learning process more exciting.

Making a Newspaper
I think that creating a classroom newspaper is a great way to integrate technology into language arts. Students can each write a piece for the newspaper. Then it can be compiled online, using pictures students have found from the web, and printed into a newspaper. Students will like this project because they have the freedom to write about what they want. Also, it is a great way to share information with other classrooms and even parents. The newspaper can even be used to integrate another subject with language arts. For instance, in the subject of history, students can all write a report about a president. They are practicing writing skills, but still learning about history.

Researching Important People
Students will read The Diary of Anne Frank, a biography. They will then research more about her life online. Students will then be able to pick another important figure in history that they are interested in learning more about. They will research their topic online and after gathering sufficient information, they will make their own web page describing the life of the person they chose. Students will be able to practice their research skills, while also learning how authors provide details in their biographies and are able to record events in a memorable way.

Blogging
Students will be asked to make an online blog that can be viewed by the teacher, as well as students. They will make weekly entries into their online journal. Some days, topics will be assigned for the students to respond to. Other days, the students will write about an experience that happened to them. It is a good way to brainstorm ideas for narrative writing later on. The students will then have a chance to read each other’s writing and see how their life experiences were described. They can post feedback as well.