Saturday, April 9, 2011

Mod12: Podcasts and Lesson Planning

Ever since I got my first ipod I have been interested in podcasts.  I have enjoyed all different types of podcasts; language, comedy, international news, how to, and even free audio books!  What I have enjoyed during this Mod is exploring the world of podcasts for educational purposes.  I enjoy using authentic examples when working with more advanced students, it encourages them to use their real life experiences in the classroom.

The podcast that I found is an introduction and brief history of the American Civil War. I think it would be a great introduction to this topic in class.  It could also be used as a grammar exercise for the the past tense. Another way it could be used is to answer a teacher generated question sheet such as a cloze sentences, or writing out specific date or numbers mentioned in the piece.

There are many interactive learning activities to be done with podcasts.  The above mentioned are just a few of my ideas... what are your ideas?!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Mod11: eMails, ePals and so much more!

When I first heard about ePals, I was excited about the idea of the opportunity my student would have to be able to "write" to their own personal ePal.  What I didn't realize is how much MORE ePals has to offer.  After exploring the site, I think it is am amazing teacher resource and very user friendly. 

I like that ePals has partnered with National Geographic to create collaborative global  projects.  One of the best thing about these projects is that they are already standard based and they offer suggestions such as how much time you should spend on the project, paring options, modifications, and customizing.  But more important than all those FREE fun suggestions is this (you may want to sit down for this)... FREE LESSON PLANS.  Not only are they free but they have so much detail, and other outside resources to draw from, all right there on the site!...If your heart is now pumping with excitement, you are not alone.  But lets not wait any longer to check it out here!

There are so many other great interactive, tech savvy  applications to take part in.
It is nice that they use a format which all students can participate in form K right through till 12. 

I hope to be able to aid my students in finding ePals, and maybe along the way find an ePal teacher as well!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Mod9-2: I wonder if...


King penguins by wili_hybrid
Attribution-NonCommercial License

I wonder if... people know how EASY it is to create a fun comic strip in BUBBLR?!  Well I now know just how easy it really is.  Check it out here I wonder if...!

If I were teaching younger kids this would be used to introduce learning about animals.  It is set up to show the different types of animals.  Each slide names the type of animal shown, a beautiful picture of the animal ( merci FLICKR) and a fun fact that will help the kids relate and even remember some characteristics of each animal type.

I think it would be a lot of fun for the kids to look at.  The pictures are so wonderful, I think it will really capture their attention. 

I wonder if...I will be able NOT to use this in my coming classes.  It was SO easy to make.  All these pictures at my fingertips.  Simple to put together and most importantly FUN to create!

I wonder if... others will enjoy my creation?

Mod9: one, two, three...FLICKR!!!

Antigua, Guatemala by szeke
Attribution License
Creative Commons is an easy to create copyright tool for the common persons documents, songs, pictures, presentations, etc.  


Creative Commons has six different types of license offers for “licensors” to customize how much access they would like the public that is using their material to have.  

I find it more easy to understand the differences of each license in this table I have constructed for you! I should really copyright it!