Podcasting!

I chose to listen to an NPR podcast about youth violence. This particular podcast describes the shooting of a 15 year old in Chicago just a few months ago. It also reminded me of the honor student who was beaten to death outside his school that occurred earlier this year; these events are horrific and heartbreaking.

School can be a scary place. Growing up can a be a scary experience. But no young person should ever feel unsafe yet it happens all the time. This podcast includes recordings of student and youth reaction. Some say that violence is just a part of life and that they have to accept it. Others are standing up and demanding that society itself not take these tragic events lightly. There are plenty that don’t hit the news and the topic needs attention.

What I like about this podcast is that it is short and concise, yet offers multiple perspectives. I think that this could be used as a jumping off point if played in a classroom. Students could write down initial reactions and then debate about whether or not youth, gang, neighborhood or school violence really can be prevented, stopped or at the very least reduced. This podcast gives enough information to spark a discussion, yet leaves the solution unanswered and unclear. In reality, there is no solution at this time, but I know that students and young people are the key to building one.

In my other graduate courses, podcasts and radio documentaries have been included often. As an English major I appreciate and love the printed word, however I have come to appreciate and honor the power of the spoken word and really hearing people’s voices. I have made my own and have observed students create podcasts and documentaries about themselves and their own lives. It is amazing how powerful these kinds of projects can be. It’s something a formal essay or research paper just can’t do.

While the technology aspect can be tricky, I hope to incorporate podcast type projects in my future teaching. It is such a worthwhile and memorable project. Students can bring to light important topics and they will walk away with a truly meaningful project that amounts to much more than a grade!

ePals

What a great site. ePals seems to be a very comprehensive hub that span a wide range of participants and projects. I was first immediately drawn to the map that represents the project to garner signatures to be presented in Copenhagen to address climate change and environmental issues. I think that this is a perfect example of how the internet can unite people all around the world for a universal cause. Global change takes time and the participation of millions, so harnessing the passion of the youth that will be ruling tomorrow is so vital.

While I think this is a great project, the two other features that stick out to me for practical use are the digital storytelling features and the focus on human rights. Storytelling is such an important aspect of English education in my opinion. This semester I am taking a course on creative writing, and I have rekindled my passion for writing and telling my own personal stories. Since all of our experiences are unique to ourselves, there is such a great deal to learn from writing stories. Students can develop their voice and learn from themselves, but more importantly students can learn from one another. School needs to be an environment that honors students’ histories, their lives and experiences. Storytelling can be a way to channel that power.

My interest in storytelling also sparked my interest into the focus area of human rights displayed on the site. Storytelling can lead to the improvement, equality and fight for human rights for all. It can be very hard, even for myself, to truly grasp the fact that many people around the globe do not share the same rights I enjoy and often take for granted. Schools need to be agents of change, but it is hard to progress change if there is no awareness of what needs to be changed in the first place. ePals can be the catalyst for students to learn about human rights and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. Speaking with students from around the world, hearing their stories and understanding their lives is just one way young people can promote equal human rights for others.

I think one practical use of this site could be to partner a class here in the US with another class somewhere else in the world. Students could even pair up to individuals so that a closer relationship can be built. I think exchanging journals about day-to-day activities, local news articles or biographies of family and social life can spark important conversations about what its like to live in someone else’s shoes. Once these relationships are cultivated, minds can be opened and change can take place. ePals can provide the insight into other worlds that textbooks and lectures just can’t offer.

Another specific internet tool that might be used in conjunction with ePals is Talkshoe.com. This site allows for multiple participants in a “community” call. Once relationships have been established with a partnered classroom, it would be so great to actually engage in live conversation between both classrooms. Hearing spoken language can be that much more effective when sharing stories and explaining what issues are affecting each classroom of youth. Talkshoe.com might even help create an audio or video project that might spread information about a cause or issue chosen by both classrooms.

I hope to use this site in my future classroom. It looks like there are tons of ways to tie in global friendships with English curriculum. Students can learn about other cultures, share their stories, and enact social change all while reading, writing, and creating.

Video!

I love using video clips to support lessons. I think that there are so many great videos out there, although sometimes hard to find, and students can really benefit from the visual imagery, motion and audio.

The How-To video I chose is on how to create a Podcast, or audio track. I just recently learned to use the program discussed in the tutorial, and the end product was really cool. I made a documentary type project for another class that allowed me to narrate, use interviews and insert sound effects and music to create a piece that reaches multiple senses. I think that students would be very interested in creating this type of project. Students can create audio projects to express their own stories, analyze other works, act out literature and even write their own creative pieces. Students often connect with music, and this program can help relate sound with the spoken word.

I also picked a video that looks like a student project. Currently I am observing in a classroom where they create videos all the time. This particular project shows a student exploring literary elements in Shakespeare's Macbeth. I think that a video project can be a great way to make traditional texts more relevant for students. They can gain ownership of the material if they are able to create something of their own design and production.

The last video is informational about the serious topic of bullying. I used this video when I student taught to try and show the seriousness of bullying in schools when it came up while reading The Catcher in the Rye. This video is extremely serious and sad, but I think it was important to share with the students. Many were shocked at the information. Video clips can help bring outside information and the stories of others into our classrooms to help students understand and relate to experiences, causes and topics with which they might not be familiar.

So much potential, so little time! The only tricky part with using videos in classes is that major video hosting sites such as GoogleVideo and YouTube are often blocked in schools. While I understand the reasoning, this can also block many important and educational tools. But there is hope! There are sights such as zamzar.com that allow free video capturing and converting. I used this site when I wanted to bring online videos into classrooms where the internet or access to video sites was lacking. Hopefully there will be easier workarounds in the future, but for now this works!

BigHugeLabs.com/flickr

Here is the magazine cover I created with one of the images I found...enjoy!

This site offers *tons* of great projects. Students could create magazine covers for portfolios and projects. They can use Flickr to create picture quilts to create digital collages. Currently I am working on a research project in another class that involves investigation into visual elements in the English classroom. Flickr.com and sites like Bighugelabs.com offer such great and meaningful ways to use images to create messages, networks, and expressions of self. Sometimes students who struggle with the printed word can use their creative and visual skills to develop learning.

I really enjoyed this week and hope to use Flickr both in my personal and professional lives!

Flickr

The following is one image I picked from the Flickr Creative Commons search. What an easy site to use! I typed the word "classroom" and tons of great photos appeared. Many were of great old fashioned rooms with small wooden desks, but I especially like this one with its colorful ceiling decorations. Great finds!