Journal #1

“ Power of the Mashup”
By Suzie Boss and Jane Krauss

This article provides examples of innovative uses of technology in classrooms to enhance essential learning functions. We first meet former High School teacher, Jerome Burg and learn how he integrated Google Earth as a tool into his literature curriculum with his own version of Google Lit Tours. This application allows students to search locations around the world using satellite imagery, maps, and 3D images. He used this technology with his students to follow literary characters around to their locations, which allows them to experience the story and characters more fully. Some literature works he applied this to were: Candide, The Grapes of Wrath, and Night, a story about a teenager’s survival of the Holocaust. With the Grapes of Wrath story, students were able to access 3D images and they watched a video clip about a Depression era storm complete with a large approaching dust cloud. This type of visual tool allows for deeper understanding of the situation and builds a greater appreciation of the piece. His site has been hugely successful and he now helps other teachers integrate technology into their curriculum at Granada High

David Fagg, an Australian history teacher demonstrates another example of effectively integrating technology into the classroom. After tiring of the MP3 battles in the classroom, he decided to adopt the “ if you can’t beat them, let’s join them…” attitude and implemented an ihistory pod cast project for his students. Using their MP3 players as tools, students played the role of a historian, and set out to actively investigate history by doing research and field work to answer questions about a local historical site of Bendigo. Their podcast had the benefit of having authentic listeners so they also experienced a global learning opportunity.

Questions:

1. What other curriculums would benefit from the use of this type of technology?
The Google earth site can be projected to the class for use with Geography lessons, especially when explaining the impact of certain regions regarding their distance from the equator.

2. What are some ways teachers can share their innovative ideas, especially within grade level, both at the school site and within the district or even globally?

Set up a communal website, join or form an online group, access each others’ favorites social networking sites like Del.icio.us.