Friday, June 19, 2009

Podcasts

Print media is quickly become obsolete. Many newspapers and magazines have either disappeared or gone to the web in order to survive and remain relevant. So, how do high school journalism programs address this in their curriculum? I hope that they are incorporating the podcast option. Through podcasting, students not only write their "copy", they also deliver it in a dynamic format. Are school newspapers going online now? I have no idea. If they do, I hope they are incorporating podcasting along with their written copy. What fun for the students.

Self Portrait :-)

I have an avatar!! She is tiny, I know. Thus, I must share that she is standing in front of Buckingham Palace holding a globe that is a smiley face. This was the closest I could get to a Geography theme with my limited skills.

GOOGLE DOCS

Google Docs:

I can see why this feature is considered an improvement over the use of email for certain types of communications. Google Docs seems like a really effective way to draft and redraft group projects efficiently. Google Docs seems as though it would be great for developing presentations and writing grants.

WIKI

Wiki:

This morning has been the "Wiki" experience. I can see where this would be useful for creative writing. Also, teaching departments could use this process for staffing. I am still exploring the options.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY FOR PROTESTING

Reporting on details of the use of "new media's" affect on this internal Iran crisis.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,527068,00.html

Twitter and Flicker Working Together

WATCH THE NEWS: An example of how "new media" is again being used to deliver a message. This time it is through images.


This is a picture sent out via Twitter showing the demonstrations in Tehran after the people learned the results of their presidential election.

Great Link for Learning Geography

FUN WITH GEOGRAPHY

Learn some Geography while playing the map games on the below website.

Geography Maps

My students really enjoyed playing these map games off the classroom StarBoard. It was a fun way to reinforce their map work and review for map tests. I found that even for the reluctant learner, this was effective in bringing up test grades painlessly.
Today will be the "flicker" challenge! Let's see how this works out.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

I am looking forward to checking various Twitter accounts in order to learn current developments in Iran today. It is exciting to be able to read first-hand accounts and view the video being sent out on this new media resource.

Web 2.0

Web 2.0 offers my Social Studies classes a wonderful opportunity to experience history as it happens. Through blogging and tweeting, a student is able to experience events in real time. The reporters of events are direct participants in the events taking place. There is no middle man to filter the news or information.For Social Studies students, an added component to this media, is the opportunity for students to interact with the witnesses of history and to ask questions. This offers the students a sense of ownership of and participation in history-making events. The student is no longer a passive participant of history. This opportunity reinforces the values of a democracy.

Goals for the use of Web 2.0 in the classroom:

Access blogs which would reinforce the daily class materials
Access union blogs during industry strikes
Access business blogs which are posting current financial news
To demonstrate social media’s affect on history and business
Answer the question: Does social media allow the individual’s voice to be heard?