Technology Update

I don't know where the year has gone. It is just flying by, and I just realized it had been way too long since I had posted anything on our blog. My students have definitely been using technology. One lesson they particularly enjoyed was one we did using VoiceThread. We were studying persuasive appeals and techniques, so I found commercials that I thought showed certain techniques and appeals my students had studied. I posted them on VoiceThread and then students viewed them there and pointed out the appeals used in each commercial. I had a written part to the assignment, as well, but of course, the part they got the most out of was getting to type in or record their answers on the VoiceThread. After that lesson, students then had to choose a cause and plan their own Public Service Announcement using persuasive appeals and techniques. They used the Dell minis to research and some used Flip cameras to record people to include in the PSA. All but one group created their PSA on iMovie. Some also used Garage Band to create their own music. Most chose music from Freeplaymusic.com. We are still trying to finish these PSAs right now. I already have eleven groups' PSAs posted on the T3 Grant's SBwiki. I plan on posting more. I just tried to load one here, but it didn't work. I never have any luck getting my videos here. I'll try again if I have time. Overall, I'd have to say that the students really did a great job with this project. Their PSAs were very emotional and persuasive, and I think the students completely enjoyed working on the project. I'm excited to use the Macs for another project!