Podcasting
For our podcasting assignment I chose a tool which will allow my students to add 30 seconds of audio to a photo. I see many students each week in the Library, and assessment can be difficult to coordinate and manage.
Known as SpeakNPhoto for Android and SpeakingPhoto for the desktop and iOS versions, the app is a little difficult to locate in the iOS app store. You will find it under iPhone apps although it runs well with iPads.
Using this tool will allow my students, even the younger ones, to do most of the logistical work involved in making sure the work of so many students is saved in the right place for me to access and grade.
Here is the RSS feed for my podcast
and here is the podcast
Known as SpeakNPhoto for Android and SpeakingPhoto for the desktop and iOS versions, the app is a little difficult to locate in the iOS app store. You will find it under iPhone apps although it runs well with iPads.
Using this tool will allow my students, even the younger ones, to do most of the logistical work involved in making sure the work of so many students is saved in the right place for me to access and grade.
Here is the RSS feed for my podcast
and here is the podcast
Last year was the first time I attempted the particular first grade project described in the podcast. I'm hoping that using SpeakingPhoto will alleviate some of the difficulties I experienced trying to coordinate the work of 5 classes of 1st graders.
The most difficult part of the assignment for me was finding tools appropriate for younger students that had both android and iOS versions.
I was surprised by this - I thought that developers had this functionality in mind.
The other challenge I had was with my own reading of the directions - my first attempt was an engaging student-driven assessment using Skitch to have students interact directly with a photo - but it wasn't particularly creative. So while not appropriate for this assignment, I do have one more student assessment ready to go!
I used Easy Recorder on my Android phone, bluetooth to transfer the file to my Mac and then uploaded the wav file to iPadio. The process was much easier than I expected. I've since put the iPadio app on my phone and I'll see how that works.
The most difficult part of the assignment for me was finding tools appropriate for younger students that had both android and iOS versions.
I was surprised by this - I thought that developers had this functionality in mind.
The other challenge I had was with my own reading of the directions - my first attempt was an engaging student-driven assessment using Skitch to have students interact directly with a photo - but it wasn't particularly creative. So while not appropriate for this assignment, I do have one more student assessment ready to go!
I used Easy Recorder on my Android phone, bluetooth to transfer the file to my Mac and then uploaded the wav file to iPadio. The process was much easier than I expected. I've since put the iPadio app on my phone and I'll see how that works.
Blogging Reflection
This week’s assignment about blogs reminded me of when I was getting my school librarian certification and had to read children’s and young adult literature for classes. Assignments to read are the best – a ready-made excuse – ‘Just doing my homework.’ I also thought of last week’s discussion on the stages of your PLN. When I look at some people’s blogrolls I wonder how they can really keep up with all of that information!
I approached this assignment by looking at all of the suggested blogs. Even if the link didn’t work I was able to locate and read through the blog entry – I figured if it was interesting enough to make the list I should take a look at it. I also tried to read the most current blog entry to see what those people are up to now.
The adult-written blogs either offered suggestions for educational practice or provided a forum for an author to share something they are passionate about. With the exception of Anne Davis’ blog they are written in a less formal style than the usual educational article. This is not surprising as her post contained comments she made elsewhere.
The informal nature of the blogs made for easier reading. You can bookmark or save anything you may want to revisit – especially helpful with all of the information on the Discovery Educator Network. The ‘post’ format of blogs means that they are often shorter than journal articles. Blogs also have an interactive nature as you can comment right away if a particular point catches your interest. I think it is important to remember to review what you’ve written before you post a comment. The passionate nature of some blogs could prompt equally passionate comments. At times comments can add information or create conversation while at other times they are just people saying ‘I agree,’ which is nice but doesn’t add to the reading experience.
Student blogs are another story. Blogs offer an authentic audience for student writers and they provide the opportunity for constructive feedback. However, I know from experience that teachers have to carefully teach expectations and appropriate behavior and keep a firm handle on student blogging. Our reading from Unit 1 and other sources offer more information about successful student blogging. In the primary grades, student blogging can enhance learning by sharing student work outside the classroom. Yet it won’t be successful if students do not see the value and are not engaged in the process.
I approached this assignment by looking at all of the suggested blogs. Even if the link didn’t work I was able to locate and read through the blog entry – I figured if it was interesting enough to make the list I should take a look at it. I also tried to read the most current blog entry to see what those people are up to now.
The adult-written blogs either offered suggestions for educational practice or provided a forum for an author to share something they are passionate about. With the exception of Anne Davis’ blog they are written in a less formal style than the usual educational article. This is not surprising as her post contained comments she made elsewhere.
The informal nature of the blogs made for easier reading. You can bookmark or save anything you may want to revisit – especially helpful with all of the information on the Discovery Educator Network. The ‘post’ format of blogs means that they are often shorter than journal articles. Blogs also have an interactive nature as you can comment right away if a particular point catches your interest. I think it is important to remember to review what you’ve written before you post a comment. The passionate nature of some blogs could prompt equally passionate comments. At times comments can add information or create conversation while at other times they are just people saying ‘I agree,’ which is nice but doesn’t add to the reading experience.
Student blogs are another story. Blogs offer an authentic audience for student writers and they provide the opportunity for constructive feedback. However, I know from experience that teachers have to carefully teach expectations and appropriate behavior and keep a firm handle on student blogging. Our reading from Unit 1 and other sources offer more information about successful student blogging. In the primary grades, student blogging can enhance learning by sharing student work outside the classroom. Yet it won’t be successful if students do not see the value and are not engaged in the process.