entry 7 - Blogging_and Podcasting.jpg

Blogging and podcasting are two prevalent forms of media consumption amongst all ages. This includes those in secondary schools. Though many students indulge in these things regularly, I do not believe that blogging and podcasting are being properly integrated into most curriculums. Why is this? I believe that when paired with the correct assignments as well as a safe classroom environment, blogging and podcasting can act as a productive outlet for students to share their personal opinions and engage in intellectual debates with each other in a low-stress fashion. 

In the article Can we blog about this?: Amplifying Student Voice in Secondary Language Arts, the author talks about students establishing "their own preferences about writing," and I believe that allowing students to write to their strengths is something that needs to happen much more in American public schools. Allowing students to write to their strengths will allow a more efficient production of high-quality work, as well as allow the students to enjoy their time in the classroom more. I believe that too often students are forced into a box of writing by the book and in turn smothering their creativity. 

In the article Voices and Sounds Heard: Composing through Narrative Podcasting, we read about a showing of different students' podcasts to an audience outside of their normal peers and teachers. I found this incredible because it allows students who normally stay quiet and reserved in the classroom to really get out there and display the work that they put so much time and effort into. By sharing their podcasts with the public, students might find a new passion for content creation or even public speaking. In my experiences, I have found that many students that have great public speaking skills are completely unaware of them due to fears or anxieties that they might associate with the act. I believe that even something as small as creating a short podcast to share in class could help develop these skills in all students and prepare them for executive or leadership roles in their careers after graduation.









Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blog entry 3 - multimodal_composition.exe.720p

Image
Multimodal composition involves compiling a variety of texts in order to communicate an idea to a specific audience. Throughout our unit in class, my peers and I were exposed to a number of strategies to aid us with multimodal composition, however, what stood out to me was the use of drama and stageplay to aid students in learning.  When I watched the documentary  A Touch of Greatness, I saw how well young minds were able to grasp complex topics when presented to them in a way that allowed them to interact and engage in exploration with their peers. Seeing how a class of grade school students was able to portray Julius Ceasar so elegantly proved to me that having the right mindset and attitude will allow any teacher effectively teach their subjects to anyone. Instructional drama is also portrayed in the article A Dramatic Approach to Learning: Teaching in Role. Similar to A Touch of Greatness, this article begins by walking us through an improvised scene consisting of a  ...
Read more

blog entry 5 - Nonprint_media_and_research.m4a

Image
 During unit four, my peers and I explored the relationship between non-print media and research. Research was always something that intimidated me in school for I was never truly taught how to conduct it. I do not believe that this unit alongside its readings strengthened my research abilities by much, however, I do believe that they hold some valuable information and ideas.  In the article Through a New Lens: Students as Primary Researchers, we are given a hypothetical of two students writing a report on fad diets. In the hypothetical, one student uses secondary sources, and the second student utilizes primary sources. Through the use of DV (digital video) the second student is able to record and rewatch meetings and interviews that they take part in. These recordings allow the student to absorb much more information from their sources than they would by just taking notes. I believe that students acting as the primary researchers is something that I believe should be encoura...
Read more

entry 8 - Digital_Composition.pdf

Image
 Digital composition is something that is growing in importance and will continue to do so as we advance further into our technological timeline. Growing up in a technological society, the youth of today is forced into developing fluency in using technology for every aspect of their lives from learning to entertainment typically deals with technology in some aspect. Being able to produce proficient digital composition will prove to be exceedingly valuable when transitioning into the workforce, proving an ability to efficiently utilize modern forms of communication.  In the article,  When Our Students Voice Their Truths: "This I  Believe" Multimodal Essays in Action, we read about public figures such as Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, X Gonzalez, and Amanda Gorman. What all of these people have in common is that they all fought against public issues as teenagers. Examining these people and how they were able to use their voices to spark such a great change within so...
Read more