Podcasting





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**Date: March 23, 2010**


 * LESSON TITLE: NAME AND BUILD THAT STRUCTURE**

//**Technology Standards:**//

Standard 3.0 – Technology for Learning and Collaboration: Use a variety of technologies for learning and collaboration a) Explore and use teacher selected technology tools, including software and hardware, to learn new content or reinforce skills b) Explore teacher-selected, technology tools that enhance learning B. Collaboration ** a. Participate in a class or a small group lesson for shared writing and language experience stories b. Participate in a class lesson using technology tools exploring, collecting and displaying data
 * A. Learning **
 * 1. Explore and use technology tools in an instructional setting for **
 * learning **
 * 
 * 1. Explore and use of technology in an instructional setting to encourage collaboration **

**// Description of the Lesson //** In this lesson, the students will learn the characteristics and features of structures in order to: (1) formulate the definition for the word “structure”; (2) compare man-made structures and natural structures; and (3) design and build a structure based on the given rules. As a warm-up, the teacher shows one (1) segment of a Safari Montage video entitled, “ Bill Nye: Basic Facts About Structures” and then students build the definition of the word “structure” from it. Afterwards, pictures of natural and man-made structures appear on the board. Discussion follows and the students complete the “Comparison Matrix” individually. The teacher divides the class into six (6) groups to work on a separate task for 20 minutes. Each group builds their own structure using the materials provided to them and presents it in class. In the end, the t eacher introduces “Behind the Box Game” wherein the students guess what structure is behind each box by removing the cover one piece at a time. Students can only do this by answering the questions related to the lesson on structure. Through this, the teacher assesses the learning of the students.

**// Reflections //**

The students truly enjoy the hands-on activity on Structures. Building a structure out of the materials provided is an opportunity for them to showcase the creative part of themselves. Working as a part of a team is another challenge that the students take seriously. They are very careful and really strive to create a masterpiece. The end products are superb but the most exciting part is when they describe each other’s project using Podcasting. The experience of describing somebody’s work through microphone is the exciting part for them. But seeing themselves on the screen during the interview is something that thrills them the most. They are very conscious as they see and listen to themselves. Indeed the lesson objectives were met afterwards but having completed the lesson using differentiated instruction is truly fulfilling. I can attest through their eyes that they enjoy and learn something from the lesson.