Risk Taking in Room 14
As I mentioned in a previous post, our teacher writing group had the assignment to take a risk in our writing instruction. My goal was to publish some writing digitally. I have taken the podcast class twice (so I should have a little knowledge) and created some podcasts with the help of our technology teacher, but I have not done it all independently. I have been putting it off for a couple of reasons. First, I wasn’t sure how to manage the rest of the class while I recorded the kids’ voices and the biggest reason…time! Where do I find the time to take their pictures, record their voices, and put the podcast together? Well, as always, when I have a goal, I find a way to make it happen.
I decided to record their voices while they worked on illustrating their personal narratives (which we will be publishing using iMovie next month!). After explaining the importance of working quietly when they heard my signal, I got started. The kids did a great job! Each time I announced, “Recording,” the class quieted down and we were able to get most of the class done. The art teacher was kind enough to let me pull the rest of them out a couple at a time to finish up.
I went back to the directions I received in my podcast class, Googled for more information, and went to work. OK..I was at work pretty late that night and the next day, the technology teacher told me that I made a major mistake in putting the kids’ names in the chapter titles, but I did it! I fixed the chapter titles and republished it yesterday.
What did I learn? I learned to give myself permission to make mistakes (don’t we remind our students all the time that it’s OK to make mistakes?) and to be patient with myself as I learned a new skill. Plus, I am gaining confidence in myself in trying new things with technology. Google has become my best friend! Taking a chance with this project has stretched me and I’m ready to do it again. Next time, it will be even easier. Take a look at the wonderful research work being done by a great group of first graders.
February 28th, 2010 saat: 7:16 am
I wonder if this process can be accomplished with our PCs just as effectively? The clarity of your recordings was wonderful…this would be a great project (when I figure out how to go about it!) to post on our class website so that my students can share their work with their families.
February 28th, 2010 saat: 8:58 am
Tara, I’m sure you can do it on your PC. I used Garage Band, but I think you can use Movie Maker. Good luck!
March 1st, 2010 saat: 10:53 pm
Julie-
These are great! I have been playing with garage band too. I liked how you made one big podcast with different photos throughout. I have only tried one kid per podcast. I am dying to upload my podcasts to blog…I may check in with you if I get stuck. My kids too were really respectful as individuals recorded their voices. So exciting!!
March 7th, 2010 saat: 9:15 am
Julie,
Being a parent and now a grandparent, I would love to see my “kids” in action. Are your parents aware of this pod cast each child “stars” in. What a wonderful opportunity of each of your students. It is so exciting on so many levels.
April 22nd, 2010 saat: 10:06 pm
Julie-
These are great! I have been playing with garage band too. I liked how you made one big podcast with different photos throughout. I have only tried one kid per podcast. I am dying to upload my podcasts to blog…I may check in with you if I get stuck. My kids too were really respectful as individuals recorded their voices. So exciting!!