According to the book Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts "Podcasting is basically the creation and distribution of amateur radio, plain and simple." (Richardson, 110). Technology has made this form of communication very easy to create. Because of this ease and simplicity in creation, podcasts are ideal for classroom use. It affords students with a fun, creative way to express their ideas. There are endless possibilities for lesson ideas in all grade levels. I'm very excited to start using this tool in my 5th grade classroom.
I've been toying with several possibilities for using podcast in my classroom. We will be studying the historical fiction genre next month. I thought it would be fun for the kids to create interviews of the characters in the books they read. They could think of questions to ask and also come up with answers that they think the characters would give. Since we will be using historical fiction novels the students would have to some background knowledge about the time period or setting of their book. I think this would be a great way to really talk about the importance of historical fiction. It would also be a fun way to do a book project in place of a boring book report.
Now if this is going to be a true ITS lesson it needs to have an authentic problem. I am terrible at coming up with these creative real-life scenarios. I've used a few of them in my classroom this year and I feel like I have lost all credibility with my kids. Any ideas for a really great and convincing authentic problem?
Love your lesson idea! I think that could really make historical fiction come alive for your kids. As for your authentic problem what if a children's author is looking for someone to do his next biography on? Or the wax museum is looking for an inspiring character to create a new exhibit on?
ReplyDeleteI also love your idea. This would definitely be better than an ordinary book report:) Aedin, those are great authentic problems as well.
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