Googling Bing

When asked to use the Internet to research a topic most students at the middle school level automatically go to Google. To help them understand that there are other search engines I challenged them to try Bing for a research project we started today.

So, what did they do? They used Google to search for Bing:-) It was a funny moment.

Podcast Resources for Teachers

I just finished a twelve hour "podcasting" staff development class for teachers. We spent the first few hours of class reviewing research on Podcasting and discussing the educational value, emphasizing the importance of a podcast being "content-driven." One of the papers we looked at was written by Henry Jenkins
http://digitallearning.macfound.org/atf/cf/%7B7E45C7E0-A3E0-4B89-AC9C-E807E1B0AE4E%7D/JENKINS_WHITE_PAPER.PDF in which he identified new media skills on page 4 that are essential in preparing kids for the digital age. All of these skills can be embedded in a podcasting unit that includes research. Another valuable piece of research that we discussed was the PEW Research Memo, http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/Reports/2008/PIP_Podcast_2008_Memo.pdf.pdf. Although it shows that podcast downloads have not increased significantly in all age groups, they have almost doubled with teens since 2006.

We listened to a variety of podcasts, elementary through high school. These podcasts can be found in iTunes.
Middle 101
Sandia Prep Radio International
and a few from Texas A&M

As we moved into the "logistics" of creating a podcast I pulled information from sources that have helped me with podcasting in the classroom. My first "hand on" opportunity to learn about podcasting was at a CESA 4 training about a year ago conducted by Naomi Harm, Innovative Educator 2.0. Her blog has great ideas for podcasting with students and is rich with other ideas for using new technologies in the classroom. Tony Vincent's blog, Learning in Hand: iPods, provides valuable tips and ideas for podcasting in the classroom. Dan Schmit of Intelligenic spoke about podcasting at the Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Conference a few months ago. Dan emphasizes the 80/20 approach; 80% research and writing, 20% technology which I wholeheartedly agree with. Finally, there are always questions regarding copyright and Wesley Fryer's Wiki on Copyright and Podcasting is a wonderful resource.

Delicious Enough to Share

Students in my eighth grade elective were recently introduced to Delicious.com as they researched arguments and evidence on an issue that they would eventually present in a blog. I provided a brief introduction to the tool, showing and explaining how to save a bookmark and add tags. I did not show students the networking feature, however, by the end of the class, students found the feature and began adding each other to their network.

Social networking is intuitive for these students who have grown up as "digital natives," according to Marc Prensky (http://www.marcprensky.com). I remember the first time I found a user's Delicious bookmarks; my initial feeling was an uncomfortable one, feeling like I was encroaching on this individuals personal space. Not so for our students.

Back to Blogging

We are almost half way through the school year and I finally feel like I can get back to my commitment to blog on a regular basis. It has been a time of transition, moving to a new school and developing and teaching new computer education curriculum.

Word 2007

Here are a few ways to get up to speed with Word 2007:

Watch the 6 1/2 minute Microsoft video on "Up to Speed with Word 2007" for a quick introduction.

Kim Komando of USA Today provides five timesaving secrets for Word 2007. I have been using 07 for a few months now, but never knew how to tap into shortcuts until I read her tips. Check it out.

For in-depth information on specific topics you may want to participate in an online training session offered by Microsoft. Topics include mail merge, headers and footers, table of contents and revising documents.

If you are wondering where your Word 2003 commands are Word 2007 you can view Microsoft's Interactive Command Guide.

Blogging With Students

This post pulls together resources that can be used when blogging with students.

Overview of Blogging:
Blogs in Plain English says it all!

Resources for Evaluating Blogs:
Evaluating Blog Credibility, Steven Streight

Evaluation of Blog Content, Kathy Schrock

Evaluating Blogs, David Warlick

Blogging Guidelines for Students:
Do's:
* Use my first name only and under no circumstance reveal any personal information including but not limited to my last name, address, phone number, age, or family information.
* Use appropriate language.
* Treat all people with respect in posts. Never use information to cause harm or appear to cause harm to any individual, group, or idea.
* Check all posts for spelling, grammar, and use of words before posting.
* Back up my opinions with facts.
* Keep all posts education-oriented.
* Ask permission to use information or files created by someone else.

Do Not's:
* Reveal any personal information.
* Use pictures of myself or any other individual.

Writing a Great Blog:
Weblog Ethics by Rebecca's Pocket
http://www.rebeccablood.net/handbook/excerpts/weblog_ethics.html

How to Write a Better Weblog by Dennis Mahoney
http://www.alistapart.com/stories/writebetter/

10 Tips on Writing the Living Web by Mark Bernstein
http://www.alistapart.com/stories/writeliving/

Voices From the Third Grade

Learn about friendship, global warming, caring for your teeth, gymnastics, a community playground, safety patrol, retirement, and more . . . from the perspective of a third grade student. “Voices From the Third Grade” podcasts can be heard by visiting the Park Lawn web site at http://www.oasd.k12.wi.us/ParkLawn/index.oasd.

Over a five month period students selected, wrote, and recorded articles on topics that were of interest to them. They then chose two of their best articles and wrote introductory scripts that were recorded by other students; the scripts were typically conversations between two other students. To pull it all together students worked with a teacher to combine sound, introductions, and articles into podcast episodes. The podcasts were created for Ms. Wojcik’s master’s thesis which looked at the impact podcasting had on voice and organization.

This was the first time Ms. Wojcik and I worked with student podcasting and we probably learned as much as the students through the experience. As we evaluated the project we noted key points that we will keep in mind for next year.

What We Did Right:

- We received permission from parents to share the podcasts, even though students used “fake” names in their recordings.

- Students listened and assessed exemplar and not-so-exemplar podcasts recorded by other elementary students before they started their own podcast.

- Students learned how to use Audacity prior to recording.

- We provided copyright free MP3 music for students to select from.

What We Will Change:

- Computers will be designated for podcasting and will include a microphone and headphones. Stand-up microphones will be used for interviews, headset microphoness will be used for solo podcasting. We had a few microphones fail because they were moved, causing bent cords.

- Students will select and use their pseudonym from day one.

- Consistent files names will be used; articles will be named by the topic and final episodes will have a predetermined name.

- Audacity automatically creates file folders when recordings as saved. Students will be instructed to look for the Audacity file, identifiable by the headphones, and not to open the folders.

Student enthusiasm for the project was evident from day one. Although Ms. Wojcik has not completed her thesis, I believe she will see clear evidence of improvement in voice and organization through this digital project.