Friday, October 19, 2007

Almost there

I've learned how to create a podcast using Audacity and it was so dead easy! I was able to figure it out really quickly. I've talked to Vicky, who has chosen a book to read in Greek, and we're going to complete the podcast on Monday afternoon. Once it's ready, I'll upload it to the wiki page and my project will be finished!

I've made some changes to my wiki page, based on the feedback I got on Wednesday. I think it looks a bit better, but it's not as easy to navigate as I would like. However, for a first attempt at a wiki, I feel pretty good about it.

I've really enjoyed the New Learning class, as I've had to investigate the use of technology in the classroom and consolidate my understandings and beliefs about it. It's been great and I've improved my skills in a number of areas.

I'm going to create my teacher's tips now and that should be it! I have to get ready for Beijing next week...leaving Tuesday night.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Collecting information

I've been listening to a lot of podcasted books, trying to get ideas of how to best make the podcast sound. I'm also using Mem Fox, an Australian children's author for inspiration. Mem also wrote "Reading Magic", one of the best books I've read about the importance of sharing books with children of all ages. In "Reading Magic", Mem devotes an entire chapter to the art of reading aloud. It's brilliant and should be a must read for every parent and teacher out there! Check out an excerpt from "Reading Magic" online and listen to Mem read aloud!

New resources

Once again got lost in the myriad of the internet. Spent a lot of time searching for podcasts available for free download. I was able to find a few new sites, which offer podcasts for children, either for free or for purchase. Also found a number of e-books in German, which could solve my copyright problem.
I'm now at the stage where I have to make the podcast, upload it to the wiki, and then create some teacher materials to support it. My goal is to finish all of this in the next two weeks, before I leave for the IB workshop in China at Western Academy Beijing. I'm looking forward to the trip to Beijing! It's been a few years since I've been there, so it'll be good to see how the city has changed and how it's preparing for the 2008 Olympics.