Video Reflection

A video was produced using the Social Studies topic littering.
The challenges when producing this video were few. However it was very difficult to save the video in order to upload it to the blog. With further instruction from fellow classmates, that problem was resolved.
This piece could have been improved by the use of a professional video being attached. However, my personal views are that students would respond to videos made locally, within the group or made by the teacher.

Using Videos within the classroom

The video created was based on littering and tourism in the Social Studies lesson. My group members and I realized that littering is becoming a major problem within Antigua and Barbuda especially with the young people of the nation. With tourism being the state's main industry, it is essential that persons are aware of the negative impacts which littering may impose on the state's aesthetics as well as tourism. Thus, in the video, littering is highlighted.

Students are inspired by the use of technology when used in the classroom context. Lessons containing videos may inspire them as it would be a new approach to the content. These videos can be used to reinforce a previous lesson taught or it may be used as an introduction to the lesson as it would grasp the attention of the students. Also, students may use movie maker to present group work. This would actually excite and motivate the students into working together on the project.

Blog Reflection- Podcast

The podcast produced was one of the use of drugs within the schools.

The piece will be utilized within the Social Studies classroom to inform the students on the effects of illegal drugs on the individual student and the type of drugs that are used within the student body.

Challenges faced were few, however it was difficult to reach all of the participants at the same time. It was resolved by actually going to the students' houses to receive the information needed.

The piece could be improved by eliminating some of the scratches that are evident in the raw data. By using the microphone built in the computer itself, there would be less of a scratch since the interruption would not have been present.

Using Podcast as a teaching tool- Blog post

Podcast is an essential teaching- learning tool because for one, it captures and holds the attention of students. In a world that is rapidly becoming technological, it is important for the teacher to hold their students' attention. Gone are the days of books and simple chalk and talk teaching. Now teachers must be aware of the interests of their students and should incorporate them within the classroom. It would also aid greatly in developing the intellect of the interpersonal learner, because podcast allows for interaction with peers. 

The podcast created by my group members and I dealt with the use of illegal drugs within the schools. It is no rocket science to know that students utilize illegal drugs. However, some students and teachers may not be aware of the possible side effects. The podcast created included two teachers and two students who dealt with the issues at hand. 

Two ways in which a podcast can be utilized within the classroom setting are:

• the teacher may introduce podcast to his/ her students to interact with their peers and to keep their attention span at an all time high. For example with a subject that deals with society such as Social Studies, the teacher may ask the students to create a podcast that deals with a particular issue. This in essence would excite and motivate the students to learn
• when preparing at a presentation for a lesson, the teacher, instead of using the basic powerpoint, the teacher could then carry out interviews and create a podcast. this would be interesting and entertaining to the students and they would be left to wonder "what next can my teacher do? I really look forward to class" and this is the kind of interest we as teachers would like to see within our students.