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Scott Cummings

08 Project Summary

Bemus Point Central School


 

Scott Cummings

Maple Grove High School

Bemus Point Central School District

May 31, 2007

 

 

Podcasting in a US History Classroom

Summary

 

Student learning will be enhanced by providing podcast recordings of lectures and other audio content for US History and Government classes at Maple Grove High School.

 

Podcasting for the purpose of this project will refer to on demand downloadable audio/video recordings, which can be played back on a computer, iPod, or other portable media player.  Providing an iPod to all students will not occur in this project but every student will be able to access and playback the podcast recordings from home or in the school library and computer labs.

 

Goals and Objectives

 

1 - Enhance student learning by providing access to recorded lectures.

 

2 - Enhance interaction amongst students within the classroom.

 

3.  Support the reuse of captured lectures.

 

4.  Create podcasts playable on nearly all computers and digital media players including the iPod and the new Microsoft Zune.

 

Benefits of the Projects

  • Students will be able to:

  • listen to a lecture multiple times.

  • gain flexibility in class schedule.

  • increase interaction with the instructor (instead of focused note taking).

  • supplement traditional class notes.

  • have audio resources for special education students.

  • improve portability (using personal media players).

  • multitask (e.g. exercising while listening to lectures).

  • reuse captured lectures.

 

Stakeholders

The students who will benefit from the project are 11th grade U.S. History and Government student.

 

Technology Used

 

Apple iPod                               Grant purchase

Microphone                              Grant purchase

Apple eMac                             School supplied

Garage Band Software             School supplied

Powerpoint Software                School supplied

Apple iWeb                              School supplied

PowerMediaPlus.com               BOCES supplied

Webcam                                  Personal supplied

 

Timeline

 

Summer 2007               Create classroom website.

                                    Purchase iPod and supporting equipment

                                    Work with BOCES to set up student access to Powermediaplus.com

                                    Practice using the iPod recording device

                                    Practice Garage Band Software

                                    Practice uploading files to Powermediaplus.com

 

Fall 2007                      Begin to record and podcast select lectures and classroom activities for student use.

 

Winter 2007/2008        Begin to record and podcast/vodcasts select lectures and classroom activities for student use.

 

Spring 2008                 Students will begin to create and share podcast/vodcasts for Regent review.

 


 

Scott Cummings

Maple Grove High School

TAH 07-08 Reflection

Over the last year, I have been working with an iPod, a microphone, iTunes, Garage Band, and Powermediaplus.com to provide my students with the opportunity to use their iPods to reviews for the NYS Regents exam in US History and Government.  Students are able to access the Powemediaplus.com website and download episodes to their Ipod or other .mp3 player.  It has been the hope of this project that students will utilize this resource and improve their performance on the NYS Regents exam. 

So far, we have created 5 podcasts for students to download.  Each episode covers a unit of review to help students prepare for their exams.  Students have using them because it allows them to review while they exercise, ride in their cars, or mow lawns.  In addition, the project has allowed me to provide more review opportunities for students.

Our biggest issue was finding a place to put the podcasts so that students could have access to them.  We ended up using Powermediaplus.com, because we are able to grant student passwords and have unlimited space to house podcasts.  This also allows student access to all of the other resources that the site has.  Now, I can assign films or audio files for homework or for kids that miss class time.  Also, my podcasts are available to anyone on the system who wants to use them.

I am currently working on trying to incorporate video into my podcasts utilizing my Smartboard as the recording device.  When complete, I will be able to save both my voice and any board activities.  For example, I could record a PowerPoint presentation along with the classroom presentation, so student who missed class or wanted to review could get the lesson.  I have been able to record voice and video so far, but it has been difficult to format the file to fit into Powermediaplus.com.

Thank you for the opportunity to work on this project.  I believe that my students will get a lot out of it for many years to come.

Cummings Reflection in Word

 

 
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Jamestown Public Schools

197 Martin Road

Jamestown, NY 14701

Project Director: Paul Benson
716.483.7112
Fax: 716.483.7104

Web Design and  Research Team:
 
Paul Benson
 
Pam Brown
 
Rick Bates
 
Carol Shick
 
Rick Walters
 Mike Swanson


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