Technology Learning Network

I enjoyed the audio session that Gary presented not long ago. It got me thinking about when I read novels aloud to kids how it might come in handy to have a recording of it, so if kids are away they can easily catch up, or if someone wants to reread or read along they can.

We already have an ipod Nano with the Griffin microphone, but I wanted something more unobtrusive. I'd seen an SFU presenter once record his session with a lapel microphone and an ipod, and a trip to the local Mac store later and we're set. In case you're looking for a lapel microphone, this one did work with the nano and the black Griffin microphone (like the ones that are in the nano kits through the media centre.)

here's the website for the lapel microphone

One cool offshoot of using the microphone was boy, were the kids ever quiet and attentive while I read! They wanted good clear sound for the recording. I plan to insert the chapters on the class website soon, and I also put the mp3 of the chapters I've done so far on the hand-out folder on the school network so kids can access it easily. I wish I'd thought of it earlier--we're already a few chapters into the book so I'll need to add record those chapters later.

Also to do with the novel, we're taking turns creating a comiclife book summarizing the novel. At the end of each chapter we draw a name from a hat and that child gets to do the comiclife plot summary for the class communal book. They're having fun doing it, and bonus!--they listen well so they're prepared in case it's their turn to do the comic. Last year, the kids did a keynote summary of a particularly convoluted read-aloud book in the same manner, but they added a voice recording of themselves reading the chapter title. They had a blast doing it, and it was lots of fun checking it over before heading off to the next adventure in the novel. They got really creative, and enjoyed one-upping each other for who could have the most interesting builds and transitions on the page.

An interesting site you might enjoy has a clip of a keynote address that talks about schools and creativity. The presenter has some really interesting ideas and a dry wit. If you're interested in thinking about how schools affect creativity, check this one out. It seems to me that we're all interested in creativity, and have chosen to look at that through technology.
Click here to view the video.