Rachel Boyd's - Why Let Our Students Blog?

This wonderful video showcases strategies for using Blogs to enhance teaching and learning.

Window to Enhanced Podcasting

On June 13th, I presented "Window to Enhanced Podcasting" as part of the Illinois Computing Educators Summer Workshop program. It was quite a challenge to build enhanced podcasts in 3 hours using PC computers and Windows compatible software. We used Audacity, Movie Maker, PowerPoint, Creative Commons approved images and music, and Jodix iPod converter. Each participant had an opportunity to record to an iPod, view educational podcasts on the Web, experiment with a variety of software applications, and gain a better understanding of the use of podcast technology to enhance teaching and learning.

The Jordan School District TeacherTube video, PAY ATTENTION is a testament to the enriching capability that podcating, vodcasting and handheld technology has to offer.

Student Podcasting Project - Global Voices Provinces of China

I was awarded a mini grant from NICE to help purchase equipment to assist students with a project to produce enhanced podcasts on a Windows PC using compatible software. Kessel Laoshi's third year Chinese Language class created podcasts showcasing the culture and attractions of several China's Provinces as a campaign to entice visitors planning to attend the 2008 Beijing Olympics to travel and experience the unique offerings of other provinces.

This project actually began in 2006 when Judy Gressel (a New Trier librarian), and I created a Chinese Provinces wiki project using pbwiki software. We worked with Kessel Leoshi and her second year students to develop a collaborative site for students to post information about many of the Provinces of China:

A. Overview of the Province--geography, natural resources, population, demographics, culture, tourism
B. Background --historical significance, Communist Conquest & Reforms made during post-Mao era
C. Current Situation--economic, political and social conditions
D. Special Focus --what makes this province unique? distinctive strengths/weaknesses?

E. Outlook --predictions for the future

• Click here to view the Global Voices assignment web site.
• Click here to access the China Provinces class wiki.
• Click here to view the Introduction to the China Provinces Podcast.
  

Now in their third year of Chinese language, we asked the students to revisit their wiki and use the content to produce a 3 minute podcast enhanced with Chinese language, photos and music to capture the culture and traditions that each province has to offer.