In the attempt to kill two birds with one stone, I'd like to experiment with creating a podcast for one of my Adolescent Literature choice book reviews. I've started writing a script, since I know I that I struggle with anything that involves recording my voice. It will probably take a few practice tries, but I am excited to learn this technology in more depth! I've worked with Audacity for a past class, and had fun playing around with the different effects, and layering multiple tracks. For my book review, I know I will record my voice, with reactions and thoughts about using the book in the classroom, and layer an appropriately-themed song as background music. If I get really fancy, perhaps I will interview co-workers who have also mused about its teaching potential and include clips with my review. We'll see if I can get all of that together, though!
Here is the link to my first "draft" of the podcast:
http://mediamill.cla.umn.edu/mediamill/display/49394
As far as using podcasts to teach writing, I love the point made in Chapter 7 (Beach et al.) about how students who fear/avoid writing will be encouraged to write if they first are able to voice their thoughts. I have so many "low" writers who struggle simply with word processing skills. I'm very thrilled at the thought of letting students "talk out" their ideas; just as the text states, it would allow other students to give feedback before having to actually write the paper. It seems a little backwards from what I would do, but with their skill set, it would probably be less intimidating for them than it is for me to simply talk into a microphone without having everything written out beforehand.
Christine,
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard this sonnett in a long time! It pretty deep, and I do agree that the content is so rich and deep that it wouldn't be the place to start when studying the form. Though it is a great example of what can be done with a 'limited structure' (vs freeform, etc). Maybe you could even use the technology to teach meter and ryhme? (They would be able to hear the poem and structure as opposed to seeing it 2-dimensional?)
I also would like to use these technologies to allow students to talk out their ideas. I see myself using them as feedback tools as well. THinking about Anne's class last summer, I know I can talk about something and be more articulate than I can be in writing/margin notes. Being able to spend 1-2 minutes with verbal feedback would be very beneficial for my students. I would have do this in video format with deaf students, but generally, I think they would like the feedback form.
Good ideas and a well executed draft.
You did a nice job on your podcast. Your presentation was very effective and your choice of background music worked well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point about reluctant writers. I definitely think they can benefit from talking through ideas. It could work as a pre-writing assignment.
I also can see myself using podcasts to respond to student writing.
Great ideas!