More on generative technology...

I thought a great activity for a 4th grade class (in Virginia) would be to use podcasting to demonstrate the different points of view on the history of Jamestown through role playing. Instead of just reading the textbook and primary sources to learn about different historical interpretations, the class will take this concept one step further. Small groups of student in class will take on the points of view of different groups, such as the Native Americans, women, the original colonists, and the British investors in the settlement. They would have to use the information from what they have learned in class and through research of their own on their particular topic, making a rough sketch of what they would discuss during the podcast. Students would pick a day to broadcast during the week, and make a 5-10 minute podcast discussing the settlement in their specific roles. The students would listen to each other’s podcasts for homework so everyone’s production will be heard.

I think role playing and discussing this event would be a great way to make history more personal for students. Letting students listen to each other’s broadcasts on their own time also would make the assignment more interesting and time efficient. This activity could also be tweaked, like interviewing someone time traveling from Jamestown. Podcasting would definitely bring a modern spin to history, and would be a lot more interactive and interesting than reading a textbook. It would also give the teacher a chance to listen to his/her students’ work again for assessment purposes, and could be made into a hard copy for future classes to listen to.

I think podcasts would be so great for students to do for school assisgnments. Kids who are uncomfortable speaking up in class might do fine when they make their own broadcast or are in a small group. Knowing that they are producing something that everyone can hear might make some nervous, but also makes it more special. In addition to having drawings, journals, and projects you made as a kid to look back on, a student is now able to easily document a piece of their voice.