A Podcast?

Podcasts are not something I am familiar with! According to Wikipedia a podcast is a series of digital files released as "episodes". These files are accessed via the internet on your personal computer or evend downloaded to an iPod. Viewers can set their computers to automatically download new episodes as they are posted.

As I continue to read more about them, I am realizing that podcasts can have a great impact on student learning. A podcast allows students to share learning experiences and has potential to make learning more meaningful and authentic. Teachers can use them to provide additional information or review content and students can download it and review it at any time.

The past few weeks I instantly knew how I would like to use blogs and wikis in my classroom. Podcasts, however, are another story! I can easily add one to my classroom webpage but I find myself asking "How could I fit this into a first grade classroom?"

Any thoughts??

Wiki Wiki Wiki...

I have to be honest... everytime I hear the term "wiki" an image of a DJ with a turntable pops in my head! Hence the title of this entry! :o)

Oh the joys of Wikis! A wiki is space on the web that groups (friends, students, teachers, etc.) can edit together. Honestly, this is my first experience with them. Granted, I have visit wikipedia many times... but I have never created one of my own until this semester. Surprisingly, I find it enjoyable and look forward to seeing what others add.

After my last post, I have started a blog on my classroom website. Now... I would love to create a classroom wiki. I think this is a powerful learning tool and accomplish a lot when used in the classroom. Having my students add things to it would really give me an insight on their thoughts and understanding of the instructional topic.

My classroom is becoming a world of endless possibilities!

A blog about blogs...

I have to be honest, having and maintaining a blog is something I never thought I would do. When I was younger, I found it hard to share my thoughts in a diary. It was something I would start, but would never finish. I find it easier to share my thoughts in conversation rather through text. This is something new to me...writing my thoughts to an audience! I know that I will keep up with this at first because I "have to". However, I have a strong feeling that by the end I will do it because I "want to". :o)

After watching the movie "Julie and Julia" I thought it would be interesting to blog. My friends and I have had many conversations on blog topics. But... who would really read it? Maybe this will give me the confidence to start one of my own that does not pertain to what I am learning in the ITS program.

PWC Schools have recently given each teacher a classroom website. On my website, there is an option for a classroom blog. One of our 3rd grade teachers has successfully set up a classroom blog where students, teachers, and parents communicate with one another and discuss their learning. What a wonderful thing! This not only promotes communication skills with students, but it also encourages parents to be active participants in their child's classroom and school.

I beginning to have a new found excitement with blogs and how I can implement them into my classroom. What can a 1st grader do with a blog? Only time will tell...