Blog Post 4

Langwitch- Flat Stanley

Langwitch.org was created by Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano. Tolisano was born in Germany, raised in Australia, and lived in the United States for several years. She is currently staying in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Tolisano has a Bachelor's degree in Spanish with a minor in International Studies and a Master's in Education with an emphasis on Instructional Technology. Tolisano has the passion for global connecting learning, technology integration, 21st century skills, and literacies, as well as, digital storytelling. Tolisano shared her passion with a group of first graders who inspired their peers to create one of their own.

A first grade class read the story title "Flat Stanley" by Jeff Brown. Each student sent their "Flat Stanley" to friends and relative around the world. Family and friends both respond to the first graders with stories and images. The students were so inspired by their peers "worldwide success" of Magic Tree House podcast that they wanted to create their own. Both the teacher and students brainstorm together to create a story line. Each student will have their own segment to record. For their homework assignment, the teacher wanted them to chose a location and borrow a book from the library about that location. They were also allowed to use the internet to research the location they have chose. The teacher asked them to read the book on their chosen location and write a short script with their parents. The script should include the location, how did they get there, what did they do at the location, and how did they get back. In addition, the teacher reminded them that they were going to be recording, therefore, they needed to think about the sense and sounds that would help them portray the mood, how did they feel being mailed, how did it sound and smell, and what did they see.

Podcasting With First Graders

In Tolisano's blog post she expressed her experience with podcasting with first graders. The students were thrilled about the second graders podcast that they did on animals. They were even more excited about the second graders receiving comments on their assignment. Tolisano explains that an audience matters even to a 6 year old.

Tolisano started reading a chapter book called Vacation Under the Volcano by Mary Pope Osborne to them. It is part of the Magic Tree House series. Tolisano explains their ideas for their podcast. Their idea was to pretend that they were interviewing the two main characters, Jack and Annie. The interview would be on Jack and Annie's adventure in Pompeii. As a class, Tolisano and the first graders read one chapter at a time. After reading a chapter, they would have a discussion on what they have read. After each discussion, Tolisano typed up all the questions and answers. The questions and answers from the discussion became the students' script for their podcast. Tolisano rotated the students so that each person has a turn being Jack, Annie, and the Interviewer. Recording took place in the back of the classroom, while others sat quietly. If their teacher have an activity plan, Tolisano took them into the hallway. She was impressed on how attentive and cooperative the students were. "Several students took interest in editing their part of the podcast." Kids learn perfection at an early age. If a student was not satisfied with their recording they would do it again and again until they thought it was perfect.

Benefits of Podcast

Joe Dale posted a video titled Benefits of Podcast. The video explains that podcasting is an effective way of connecting with students outside the traditional classroom. It produces radio quality instructions and content that can be listened to anytime, anyplace. Educators are now teaching millennial. The video explains that a millennial is anyone born after 1980. Millennial never experience life without any source of technology. Technology takes up most of their spare time. Therefore, innovating learning is part of their everyday life. Podcasting is something they are, also, familiar with. In addition to that, podcasting allows differiation in the classroom. The video explains that you can record lecture and have them to play it back and listen to it as a review or making it project-based learning. Podcasting based off of project based learning is called student centered. When doing this, students normally write scripts and act them out. Podcasting focuses on the highest levels of Bloom's Taxonomy. It allows creativity and innovation. The video mentions a difference between podcasting and vodcasting. As I mentioned earlier podcasting is a recording; whereas, vodcasting is a recording with video. "Since the creation of iPod, podcasting has become a huge trend across the United States." It allow students to gain a "higher order thinking skills and more indefinite with learning by teaching concepts to others." In addition to that podcasting can be very beneficial to those students who are home sick from school or other emergencies. Teachers are often concern with a student being sick for a long period of time. Thanks to podcasting, students can simply go online and be provided with the information from class. Podcasts are easy to upload. Teachers can upload it to their website and students and parents can listen to them. Teacher can, also, upload them to their blog to share with others. "A blog or web blog allows student to type and post responses to assigned tasks. Blogging is also a great way to start a meaningful debate.

From reading and viewing each video, each one gives a significant point on how to create an effective podcast. Langwitch use great creativity to teach first graders how to plan and organize. Having students to brainstorm and doing other important tasks, teaches them how to be responsible and how to be leaders as well. Flat Stanley podcast was a great way to teach students about other countries, how to properly construct mailing addresses on envelopes, and conduct research to share with others. In addition, Dale posts a great video on his blog. Benefits of Podcast gives a great insight on what a podcast is and how it can be effective for student learning. It also gives teachers an idea of how to making learning fun. It also allows teachers to give students an audio aid to help them with their studies. I would definitely use podcast as a tool for my students.