Keeping up with this blog page has been an challenge. I felt like it was one additional task that I had to undertake in addition to the many other tasks that I was currently doing. I soon realized that I did not have enough hours in my days or weeks to do all that was required of me, so I put those objects in order of importance. What I should have done was give this assignment to any student that needed extra credit. That would have solved the problem.
As far as implementing the grant into the curriculum, I found out that I have a problem with perfectionism. For the first several months, I would create pod-cast lessons using garage band and then start over because I forgot to say something or I just did not like them. I actually slept with that Mac book numerous nights as I attempted to just get them created. That was extremely frustrating. After spending a large portion of my holidays redoing the lessons, I mentioned it to my students. One of them suggested that they video tape the actual lectures and discussions whenever I introduced a new unit. Several flip cameras were position around the class and the students videotape. They then showed me how to piece together the videos to create one video. Now the students were teaching the teacher and they loved it. Now this summer, I can begin editing the videos to begin my collection of pod-cast lessons that will be used for students that are ill, at DAEP or in in-school-suspension. Of course, I will have to repeat the entire process for the first semesters units but I least I know what I am doing now.
The students also used the flip-cameras and I-pods for their electrical project during the second semester. They video taped there progress as the constructed and electrically wired a doll house. They also feft messages for each other on the flip cameras if they were going to be absent. In addition a few groups inputted some of the video- clips into their final slide shows. Throughout their project they used the Dell computers and only used the Mac books to show their finished products. I should have allowed them to use the the Mac books the entire year because they were very good with them. Unfortunately, we only obtained 6 of them which was not enough. However, now I realize that their use of the Macs would have decrease my learning curve. (smile)
Was this grant as useful as I wanted it to be? Yes and No. Yes, because of the flip-cameras and lessons that the students created. They will be used for future students. Yes, because of the I-pod. My students actually did reviews and research on them and not used them just for face book and e-mails. I wish I had made them more assessable to them. I will do that next year. No, because my learning curve was larger than I expected. Also, I did not think creating a pod-cast lesson would take so much time.
Would I suggest that every teacher be given this technology? No! It should be up to the individual teachers to decide when to use this technology and how to use it.
Did my students have fun? YES. They remained focused and completed their work faster because they were trying to get in a few minutes to play on the I-pod and camera for personal use. I actually had several students come in after school to use them for other projects. Will I use this technology in the future? You bet I will. Now, if someone could just invent a way to slow down the clock and give me more hours in day I would be eternally grateful.
Deborah Wilkes
Academic Physics
Spring Woods High School
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