English,+Language+Arts,+Reading

= Reading/Language Arts  =



Technology Integration:
Computer Lab with one computer per student Each computer needs microphone (for recording purposes), GarageBand Software, and Internet access.

Curriculum Standard:
8th Grade: Research:

8: Use a variety of communication techniques, including oral, visual, written, or multimedia reports, to present information that supports a clear position about the topic or research question and to maintain an appropriate balance between researched information and original ideas.

Description of Lesson:
// Background Information: // Students were assigned to choose a biography and to complete independent reading at the beginning of the nine weeks. Students were given a questionnaire sheet to use and fill out while completing their reading. The reading and questionnaire was assigned to be due today.

Class will begin with a check of questionnaire sheets to determine if students have completed the reading and assignment. Students will be asked how they have demonstrated explaining information on a topic to their class in the past. A list of these items will be listed on the board and will most likely include: a written report, speech, or PowerPoint. The teacher will explain that we will be demonstrating our knowledge of the person in the biography we read today by using technology to allow us to express what we have learned.

Students will now use GarageBand to record and add pictures to create a podcast movie. Students will record the information on their biography questionnaire sheet. Next, students will search the Internet for images of the person they read about in the autobiography. These images will be saved to the desktop, and then dragged into GarageBand. Students can then add background music to accompany their presentation of their person. Note: The images do not have to align with what's being talked about for sake of time. The point of the pictures is to give a visual representation of the person while listening to the podcast.

Students will save these projects and place them in the teacher's virtual drop box for grading. The class will watch the videos during the next class.

Click the following file for the questionnaire that students used while reading.

Click the following file for the instructions on how to make a Podcast.

Click the following file to preview a sample of what a student's project will look like. media type="file" key="WoodrowWilson.wmv" width="307" height="26"

Supporting Research:
This website looks at the benefits of using Podcasts in the 21st century learning, especially through using them in school libraries for reading. The author says, “I’m convinced that the real power of podcasting is twofold: It gives learners point-of-need access to information, and it disseminates information in exciting new ways. Students eagerly and actively participate in the creation of content-rich podcasts, and those who publish their podcasts publicly are quickly connected to the world community in ways never before possible”

Adam, A., & Mowers, H. (2007, May 19). Book Reports, 21st Century Style. School Library Journal, 53, 24-26.

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This article looks at the benefits of changing the way teachers do standard book reports in their classes. The article offers insight into new technologies, such as podcasting, that allow students to express themselves and what they read more completely. ======

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Eash, E. (2006). Podcasting 101 for K-12 Librarians. Retrieved October 12, 2010 from Information Today Inc.: http://www.infotoday.com/ cilmag/ apr06/ eash.shtml. ======

This website/presentation is a workshop presentation that looks at why teachers should consider using podcasts in the classroom. The presentation is a podcast movie itself that moves automatically and informs the viewer of the author's thoughts.

Wheeler, S. Say it Again: Improving Student Learning through Podcasting. Retrieved October 13, 2010 from Adventures in Podcasting: http://www.shawnwheeler.name/ workshops/ adventuresnpodcastingpresentation/.

Tried & True or New & Innovative:
This activity/lesson is considered to be New & Innovative because of the technology used to allow students to demonstrate their learning. Though students may be familiar with talking about a person, or finding pictures of a person, by combining both of these actions into a project that uses a computer program to display both simultaneously, the project becomes something new to students. Teachers should explore new forms of technology as a way to allow students to express themselves and to demonstrate their learning by allowing students to portray themselves through thought and creativity.

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