The problem of students not understanding homework can be fixed by reversing the traditionally accepted notion of homework. If the teacher podcasted or vodcasted the classroom material the student could view the material before class and be prepared to practice the material in the classroom with the teacher.
I decided that this was a good topic after I went to a conference where another chemistry teacher presented this concept. I saw how this was working in his classroom and I thought that my classroom could be changed for the better by utilizing my podcasting and vodcasting skills. Since I have changed schools I don't teach chemistry any longer and I don't quite know how it would jive with my current school's philosophy of education. I think weekly recap podcasts would go over extremely well, but course casting most of my classroom content may not.
My other thought is that there are already podcasts about each chapter in my AP Biology book. Am I reinventing the wheel if these casts have already been created? Any encouragement, support, or resources are greatly appreciated.
Picture Credits - KHirt 2009
Maybe it is not the idea of reinventing the wheel, but making the wheel better. I understand the frustration of seeing your idea already out there, however, I can tell you, there were no podcasts about anything in my 5th grade science book. Maybe it is about training wheels- appeal to a younger audience. I think sometimes technological advances are concentrated on high schools and middle and elementary schools get overlooked.
ReplyDeleteThink about how beneficial a podcast would be for a science chapter for a struggling reader- perhaps it would make homework easier if they could hear the instructions, rather than read them.
My fifth graders often struggled with the text- it sometimes went over their heads and only after careful explanation did they understand what I was looking for. In the classroom, they had the benefit of my presence- for homework- not so much.
I think your topic is great! I definitely get the lack of passion making it a more tedious task. Good luck!
I agree with Joann that you've picked a great topic. Truth is that there is no "right answer" and that what you bring to the table as far as what you've podcast would sound like is going to be quite different from the other podcasts, even though they are based on the same text. As someone who presents my coursework online, all that I have to offer is not just the text posted in my course. And even if I posted my entire course, with video intros, etc., it would substitute for spending time with me, asking questions and talking about the material. The great thing about your plan is that it's a perfect way to begin the conversation of learning.
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