Librivox...my final project!

So...things didn't go as expected. I did learn how to use the technology, but was unable to publically post my project. I recited "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" by William Wordsworth, downloading the necessary technology as instructed on the LibriVox website. However, when I went to upload my recording it wouldn't provide me with the necessary URL links. So, I emailed to the link at the bottom of the page, as directed, but have not yet received a response. Thus I have proceeded to the best of my abilities. However, on the LibriVox link above there are examples of other poetry readings as well.

Overall I found this new technology difficult to navigate. Many of their links of "how to..." were not updated or provided vague instructions. I had to struggle through most of it by tinkering around with the technology. However, as Professor West has mentioned, this is probably what most of us do when discovering how to operate a new technology. I think that this type of technology would be helpful in the classroom as viewed by my lesson plan ideas on the wiki; however I am not sure how often we ought to utilize it. It's purposes are fairly limited - recording and listening to recordings.

A Work in Progress...

So, this week I have discovered that researching your final project is always a good idea. I was so excited to get started with LibriVox that I got everything ready, read a couple chapters to become more familiar with my book, checked out my microphone abilities...and then I discovered that due to copyright laws LibriVox only allows readings and releases of book published before 1923. Well, for those of you who don't know, The Giver was published 1993. Anyhow, so I began a new search. I am now looking into working with Speaking Notepad instead. This will present a couple new challenges. I will need to type what I would like read. But, it also has some great advantages. You can choose the voice, speed, and pitch of how the text is read. I am hoping that this will make it sound realistic and also save my voice.

Anyhow, this hasn't been a long post, but it's the direction and area I'm at right now - research, research, research.

I've got it!

While looking through all of the options and possibilities with this assignment, I really wasn't sure what to do. We've done a classroom blog sight...movie (for their final project)...and so much more. Through my other education and English classes at BYU I've also learned the basics of wikkis, diigi groups, and so forth. That's when I really stated to think!

What would best help me as a teacher next semester? What would be most helpful and relevant to the learning opportunities for my students? What unit needed the most "help"? And that is when it hit me. I have been trying to figure out the best way to read "The Giver" next term. There are some recordings I have found, but most of them are boring or dull. Aka: My students would just sleep through the book! And that's not what I want...I am hoping that they will become vigorous readers through their interaction with texts in my class. I also considered having the students read. However, in most my classes at BYU, they suggest that we read the majority of the book with the students to help improve their reading. Struggling readers usually don't get better by listening to other struggling readers read.

Thus, for my project I would like to learn how to operate Librivox and submit my own reading of the novel. This would enable me to add characterization and personality to the reading without losing my own voice. Furthermore, it would also be interesting to experiment with the possibility of students reading. As was mentioned in the voicethread, it would be intriguing for students to do their own interpretive readings. Perhaps each student could read a few pages and together there'd be a recording of a couple chapters. I'm not sure. But as I explored this idea I recognized that it held a lot of potential :) I'm excited to start and excited for others to become involved. Tell me what you think if you have suggestions!

PS...my book is "The Giver".

Ok...I'm officially overwhelmed

So, I know that we're suppose to be blogging about a technology we found to use in the classroom weekly...but I admit, holding a job, going to school full-time, and trying to plan a wedding can become a bit overwhelming. A decline in grades is expected...and definitely sleep deprivation! BUT I would definitely say it's worth it! And now, to get onto the point of this rambling blog: This past week we discussed in some of my classes how to use technology in the classroom and I thought it'd be a good thing to share with all of you. Prof. Ostenson shared some personal experience he had with creating movies in the classroom - careful not to go overboard so that you get drained out too early! In a group meeting we discussed how reading aloud can help your students, but so many teachers find this exhausting. That's where technology comes in! Take a break...get a tape recording of it!!! Anyhow, I know that's short and sweet - but those were a few thoughts that were running around my head at one in the morning. Gross!

Text the Mob

So...a couple weeks ago (as many of you may know from Bonnie) there was a UCTE conference for English Educators. One of the sessions was on how to better integrate male activity within the classroom. They talked about a site called textthemob.com, which allows you to hold polls and messages for the whole class...all the students do is text their response to a specific number! It was really fun to use and I think it incorporates technology in an appropriate manner. Granted, I'd be careful not to over use it. Also, remember that only students with unlimited texting should participate.

Instructional Video...

Holy smokes! That assignment had some complications that I didn't expect! But, finally, it's done :) I called it Utopian Society. This instructional video is an example of what I would like my students to complete as their final assessment for W10 term...after completing "The Giver". I hope that they will better connect with the novel and the principles we'll discuss through this personal video they create. I think that I will have them do more about their personal utopia though...perhaps make it a 5 minute film.

Internet Resources for You!

Hey everyone, this site about Internet Uses in the Classroom has some great technology resources for any type of teacher (or person for that matter). I decided to explore virtual field trips because the concept interests me. This website has various trips with teacher resources, different aspects of topics you can cover, and then the tour. If you wanted to have a submission you would need to pay for one...but you can take a few trial runs. I feel that this is a good technological tool to use in classrooms because of the opportunities for learning it provides. I'm from Washington and I remember that growing up we went on lots of field trips and learned through hands-on activities. However, today funds and policies don't permit students to have these activities. Through the media and technology available to us, we can reconstruct to a certain extent a learning opportunity that students may not have experienced. Granted, it's not the same as going out into the world, but there is something to be said for the various multimedias incorporated into one site. I hope you will take a look and enjoy it!