iPod, iCreate, iLearn at Wenonah » lesson idea

Moon Phases Podcasts

jskeens — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 03:15:23 +0000

The students used their Earth-Moon-Sun models (previous assignment) to explain the phases of the moon. The students worked cooperatively in groups of 3-4, wrote and recorded podcast scripts, and created/edited podcasts using Movie Maker. Students were given a podcast rubric to use when they collaboratively wrote their scripts. They used the iPods with Belkin recording devices to record their podcast scripts. They manipulated their models to demonstrate each phase of the moon and photographed their model in each phase. In the computer lab, the students used a task list to create/edit their podcasts using Movie Maker, their photgraphs, and voice recordings. Since each group essentially created similar podcasts with the same basic information, we have asked the third grade students, teachers, and school principal to vote on the most informative and creative podcast. The winning podcast will be posted to our podcasting site.

Student Created Podcasts

klera — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:23:42 +0000

Jessica and I are planning to facilitate learning activities as the students create collaborative, original podcasts. In groups the students will have to explain the phases of the moon. Building up to this activity the students studied the sun, moon and Earth relationships. Completing a hands-on assessment, student groups created a working model of the Sun, Moon and Earth. I am creating a web page that explains our sequence of activities and will post it soon.

This week the students will answer the question of why the moon appears to change shape in the sky. They will use books, United Streaming videos, interactive notebooks information and Explore Learning Gizmo’s (http://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cResource.dspResourceCatalog)to develop their understanding of this concept. Explore Learning creates effective, interactive science and math simulations, which guide students to understand concepts. They began creating such materials for middle and high school students to use. I have been recently THRILLED to discover that they are making their way down to creating activities for elementary aged students -beginning by posting Gizmo’s, for grade 3-5 Science concepts!

For an assessment activity, each group will write and produce their own podcast explaining the phases of the moon. However, only one podcast will be posted to the web to help avoid redundancy of material content. The students will vote as to which podcast they would like to post. All the podcasts will be put on our local, shared server and there 3rd grade classes will preview each podcast and vote on which podcast should be posted. All the podcast will remain on the server this year to serve as an optional review tool for students as they prepare to take standardized test in the Spring.

Some people may think , “Oh, go ahead and post every podcast on the website.” Jessica and I thought about this…we believe that doing so would be modeling ineffective web publishing practices. Students need to learn how to evaluate the meaningfulness of content and to post appropriate materials on their website. Our selection process, we believe, is a way to model effective posting behaviors.

Let us know your thought on this selection process! We are always open to new ideas. Thanks!

Testing – Kid Style!

klera — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 20:45:43 +0000

To conclude the Virginia Natural Resources unit and prepare for the culminating test, the students collaborated to create their own test questions based on the material. Each group recorded their 4-5 questions on the iPod using the Belkin voice recording accessory to the iPod. As a class, we listened to each group’s questions using a docking station. The students recorded their answers on a sheet of paper which I collected.

The students had created test questions for other units in the traditional manner: pencil and paper. They were very excited about the chance to record their questions using the iPod and Belkin accessory.

We didn’t put the questions on the web this time, but we plan to do so next unit.

Podcasting for Review

klera — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:27:43 +0000

It’ s Kay here. I have recently joined the Classroom 2.0 on-line community. It is a terrific place for educators to meet and share ideas. On the Classroom 2.0 website, a user going by “TheMaze” , contacted me and shared how she is using podcasts in her teaching. Here is a URL linking to an example of a teacher using podcasting to scaffold at risk students as they study for tests…. http://www.masterymaze.com/content/early-man .

Jessica and I will be posting our activity soon!

Engaged Learners! October 2007

klera — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:29:35 +0000

I know it has been a long time since my last post. However, I am back. There apparently was a problem with the ordering process (not Apple Inc. related) and we seemed to have to wait forever to receive the class set of 5 iPods, voice recorders and iHome stereo (allowing for group work at one iPod).
We created a terrific activity, which involved student groups of 3 to rotate to iPod stations. Each station had a different video clip or two from United Streaming (www.unitedstreaming.com) downloaded to it. The students had a graphic organizer for sorting capital, human and natural resources found in the deciduous forest. They rotated to the stations, watched the movies and recorded oodles of resources provided to us by forests.
The result? They were able to observe the interdependence between humans and our natural resources.

A little background on our students: They are students in a 70% at risk school. They were considered to be a “tough bunch” and actually take a lot of TLC in order to get anything done.
How did they do? FABULOUSLY! You would not have recognized the class during the iPod station work! They were conversing, collaborating and getting along. The homeroom teachers and I just kept walking around and smilig the whole time. We did the lesson today with a second class and the same thing happened. The instructional coach walked in and reveled in the moment as well. He commented taht every child appeared to be engaged and excited about learning.

Pedagogy:
Students were discovering not being told (constructivism)
Students were working collaboratively (real world experience)
Students were moving with a purpose and active (brain based learning)
Students were watching video (visual learner needs)
Students were writing down observations (text based learners)

So far so good! I cannot promise to write every day -or even every week. However, I will try to write and share the iPod in the classroom activities we use. I may even include video from the classroom after we receive parental permission. This is a new tool to all of us. I will be sure to speak honestly about what works and what does not. Please share iPod ideas you have tried or think we should try in the classroom through our comments section.
Thanks!