Use of Audio Podcast in K-12 and Higher Education by Khe Foon Hew

After actually working on posting a podcast, I find the article by Mr. Hew fascinating and am surprised that more research has to be done regarding the benefits of podcasts in K-12 education. Most of the studies were conducted in higher education settings (mostly in engineering, medicine, and technology).
Another point made was that Clark and Walsh (2004)stated (highlighted) that "listenng was instinctual, (but) reading and writing are not" (p.5) and that linguistic psychologists have found that unlike reading and writing, children do not have to learn how to understand the spoken word, but are hard-wired with the skill.
My own reflection (thoughts/opinions) at this point are that: I would like the option of listening to a lecture via podcast, but would prefer a vodcast (podcast with video). I like to 'see' what the lecturer is actually doing, demonstrating, and body language she/he is using; I would like the vodcast to be a supplement to the lecture and as I stated before, optional.

When I was working on my undergraduate degree, I once took a cassette recorder to class and recorded a lecture; but when I listened to it at home, it was time-consuming; especially finding a certain portion in the lecture I needed to hear again. I stopped taking my recorder to class and just paid closer attention, asked questions, and took notes.

Guitar Tuning Lesson Podcast

Here is my guitar tuning lesson for six-string electric guitar.


I hope you enjoyed my lesson and were able to tune your guitar. Have fun playing!

Texas Revolution

Social Studies


7th Grade


The Alamo and Goliad




Last week we learned about how Texans wrote the constitution and began the fight for independence from Mexico.

This week, in chapter 10, we will be learning about the Alamo and Goliad; specifically, the causes and impacts of the Texan defeats at the Alamo and Goliad.



Learning goals for this lesson include:

a) Compare the strengths and weaknesses of the Texas army;

b) Identify which individuals played key roles in defending the Alamo;

c) Describe the events that occurred at the Alamo;

d) Explain how events at the Alamo helped to unite Texans in their struggle for independence;

e) Characterize the factors that led to the Texan defeats at Goliad and in South Texas; and

f) Summarize the massacre at Goliad.



Technology that you will be using includes:

1. Microsoft Word to write your essays and responses to questions;

2. TimeLine Maker to create timelines for the events that occurred during the events that occurred in Texas for the years 1835-1838;

3. Inspiration software for creating visuals that represent the individuals and their roles at the Alamo and Goliad; as well as events surrounding the events that are explained in the lesson;

4. Google images will help you illustrate the people, events, and issues you will read and learn about in the chapter; as well as supplement your timeline with images for events indicated in your timeline.

5. Google sites to create a blog about the Alamo and Goliad.



Procedure

It is helpful to preview each section before you read it in its entirety. Another strategy that will help you understand the content is to also preview the end-of-section questions. This will help you think of the specific technology that you will use for specific purposes. For example, when reading about an event that took place in a certain year(i.e. On January 17 Houston sends Bowie to the Alamo) you can make a notation to use this fact in your timeline.

As you proceed to other sections, highlight events where you can create visuals using Inspiration software to create visuals representing important individuals and events/situation they were involved in.

Remember to download images from Google to illustrate your narratives and timelines.

Feel free to go to other websites to supplement you essays/compositons; also pictures and videos (YouTube).

You can go to YouTube to download videos to insert in your blog. Use Blogger.com or Google Docs to create your blog.

This is a very interesting chapter about the Alamo, Goliad, and events that took place during the Texas Revolution. Although we will be reading some of the sections in class, be sure to read everything in the chapter when you are at home. Reading the chapter in its entirety is part of your homework.



Need Help?

If you need help in completing your assignments, don’t hesitate to come to my classroom before school (7:10- 7:40 a.m.); during seventh-grade lunch (after you eat your lunch); or after school (3:00- 4:00 p.m. any day, except FridayJ ).



Assessments

You will receive grades for the work product ( technology) you use in the lesson/assignments. You will also receive a grade for answering the end-of-chapter questions (Be specific when answering the questions, especially the critical-thinking questions at the end of each section).

Finally, you will complete a chapter test that you will download from the Teacher Seventh-grade Social Studies website.

Cool Vibes

Cool Vibes

Ideas for Technology: Seventh-grade Social Studies (Question #2)

My choice of tools for my students in seventh-grade social studies will vary with the assignments. When creating a timeline, they will use Word to type in the information. They can also use Inspiration in a creative way to make the timeline more interesting. Inserting an image will also enhance the look by making it more appealing. When they write a report about a Texas historical event or person, they can use Word or PowerPoint. PowerPoint will be used when presenting in front of the class. Since many students are nervous when it comes to public speaking, an oral presentation will increase their confidence when speaking in front of an audience. The unit that my students usually show much interest in is the American Civil War. They enjoy reading about the battles, challenges, and of course, the weapons that were used in the battles. This will be a good assignment for my students to create a blog. They can insert video, images, and narratives. Students at other schools will be able to share and comment on one another's blogs. Another way technology may be used is to put together a short film with music using MovieMaker. They can choose a battle, a speech (such as Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation), or other event which occurred or led to the Civil War.

TPACK Framework (Question #1)

What aspiects of knowledge in the TPACK framework do you think you most need to improve for effective technology integration? Answer: My goal is to inspire students to become independent, life-long learners. The greatest challenge I face is to motivate students to focus on learning the content in social studies and become proficient in using technology to demonstrate their (divergent) understanding of the concepts we cover in class. As I learn how to use technology,I will teach my students to use it in their assignments. Many teachers share my feeling about children who spend many hours playing video games, texting socially and spending time on non-academic activities. If teachers can instill a sense of purpose when it comes to learning academics and are motivated to learn on their own, then we will benefit as future gnerations are prepared to enter the work force. They will have a career that can be exciting and rewarding. When students demonstrate divergent knowledge, this is when they can be creative, make knowledge their own, then synthesize it in new ways.