Podcasting


 * Responding to the "Growing and Changing" Theme ** media type="custom" key="3922603"

Technology Standards: Technology for Communication and Expression: A. Communication 1. Explore how technology is used for communication a. Recognize that technology helps with communication at school

This voice thread was created to encourage student to discuss the concept of growing and changing. In the dramatic play area students are using infant dolls and kid dolls to explore the different needs and abilities depending on ages. I captured a picture of one of my students pretending that the kid doll is riding the bike. I encouraged him to explain what he was doing and why on the voice thread and invited other students to respond. Then we continued to build on the voice thread all month long. Each student in the class was able to respond to their peers appropriately.

I was amazed at how mature the conversation became between students. My students were very excited to use the microphone and even the more quiet students added more than one comment. This was an excellent alternative to the traditional classroom discussions we previously held about concepts. I know that if we would have held a class discussion on the concept of growing and changing my quiet students would have remained quiet while the more verbal students dominated the conversation. With the use of voice streams students could contribute to the conversation at their leisure. Quiet students did not have to compete with more verbal students like when having whole class discussions. I did not have to worry about anyone missing out on the chance to participate because they were motivated to participate on their own. I was also able to assess how the student internalized the information being taught this theme/unit.