Social Studies Podcast, wiki, and blog examples

First and foremost, allow me to just say after my initial searching on the web the vast majority of social studies innovations were teacher generated. I did manage to find some collaboration between teacher and pupil, which I felt made for a very interesting product.

The first thing I located was a hybrid wiki generated by teacher and student. It can be located at http://woodward8.wikispaces.com/. The wiki was created by Jason St. Amand and his 8th grade US History students. He assigned each of his students specific topics covering all realms of time in American History, and then combined the results to form the wiki. I was most impressed with the quality of the wiki. I was first drawn to it but all the fantastic photos that were on display. After the initial scan of the photos, I learned these students had work of exceptional quality. It can easily be seen the students put plenty of time and patience into this opus. I believe a wiki is an excellent idea because it allows students to demonstrate their talents, and even feel a certain degree of accomplishment. I believe that if the students know their talents are going to be showcased, it truly helps them work their hardest in learning history. This definitely supported meaningful learning because it allowed students to exercise many forms of academic learning. Other than students, they served as researchers and editors, which helped to fortify the subject material while using critical thinking skills unknown to the students.

The next piece of technology I located was the social studies podcast. The podcast was done by third graders! Who knew technology could reach students at such a young age! And more importantly, who knew it could be executed so magnificently and successfully!?! The podcast was completed by 3rd graders at West Salem Elementary, with assistance by the teacher. It can be located at http://www.salem.k12.va.us/west/showcase/third/sspodcasts/index.htm. The podcasts cover world and American history, surprisingly cover a fair amount of historical ground. I would have absolutely loved having this tool as a third grader. I would have felt more involved in the class. The students themselves actually do the podcasts, which I'm sure helps the learning process. (Not to mention it's absolutely adorable listening to the students discuss the conquest of the Roman empire. ) This learning is phenomenally meaningful, as the students are responsible for orally divulging the newly learned historical information. The students' voices actually being on the podcasts provides instant gratification for the kids. This is also meaningful because it definitely abides to the "Less of us, more of them" thought process.

The last technological gem I located was a social studies blog example on the internet. It was a blog created by a teacher entitled "Beyond the Classroom." It can be located at http://jfilzen.blogspot.com/. It was done by a Mr. Fitzen for his 7th and 8th graders, and I think it is valuable because it provides students with an outside resource for them to access. Textbooks are written so poorly and authentically, a blog by the teacher can allow students to feel they are actually reading something valuable authored by a true human being. It's also fantastic because not only does he supply many superb photos, but tons of helpful links for students to gain more information and to peak their interest. He also posts typically on average once per week, which is a reasonable and effective regimen. It is certainly meaningful, due to that it allows the student to contact the teacher outside the classroom, learn more effectively, and to really show the students the teacher has such a passion and cares for their instruction.