RecREate April 21, 2008
Posted by smartley in Uncategorized. add a commentFollowing the Culham conference today at York St John on using storytelling and poetry to engage learners in RE, here is a post where delegates can add comments or suggest good resources which you might like to share with others.
As a starting point, here is a link to David’s presentation
and also to his blogsites at Carmel College: Sixth form, Rome and International.
You will find also find information about blogging and podcasting on this blog, as well as a link to Nodehill Middle School’s RE blog.
Here are some links to find out more about: Comic Life Deluxe, Evans Publishing for RE and Multi Faith and The Works 6 (poems for asssembly) edited by Pie Corbett
I look forward to reading your post, comments and suggestions!
Podcasting for GCSE RS revision April 18, 2008
Posted by smartley in Uncategorized. add a commentThe RS department of Graham School in Scarborough use fresh, innovative and student-friendly techniques to aid revision GCSE RS revision. Recently, I spent a day working with RS Subject Leader Mrs Mandy Head and a class of Year 10 students to create a series of podcasts. Students were already familiar with how to podcast, but they were introduced to alternative software which, because of its simple to use design, meant that the focus could be on the content, rather than technology. Students worked in pairs or small groups to research their information, prepare and rehearse scripts before creating their podcasts.
Afterwards, Mandy asked them about the experience. The majority of students found this a very worthwhile and positive experience, and it appealed most to those who are auditory learners. Here are some of their responses:
“I enjoyed the podcasting exercise as it was something different and fresh. It was also more modern and appealed to young people as a way to revise than text book revision. I think I learned more and will use this tool to revise from in future.”
“I managed to learn the key words to this topic by listening to my partner reading them I would use the pod casts to learn from as I am an audio learner. It was easier to learn the key words as I picked up the rhythm in the person’s voice and use the beat to learn these words. I would recommend podcasts to others.”
“It was valuable as I think I learnt a lot on the day about how to ‘podcast’ but more about RS. I think I would use this technique to revise from because I like listening to my friends and it would be good to hear them when I was revising. I would recommend the experience to others as I feel it is well worth while. I do sometimes revise using audio.”
“I had a good day. It was different and new. I think it was a valuable idea to have access to. It will spur me on to try this at home. I think I am an auditory learner so I will benefit from this day. I think I will use it to learn my Science facts as wall as I think it is suited to this kind of subject. “
“I thoroughly enjoyed the day as it provided a unique way to learn, that I believe I would benefit from. I have made revision cards but I would make podcasts to revise from. I found the day helpful and would definitely want to try these techniques in other lessons that I find challenging. I would like to know if there are podcasts on the internet that I could listen to for this and other subjects.”
Click here if you would like to listen to one of the podcasts which were produced.
Podcasting in RE June 8, 2007
Posted by admin in Uncategorized. add a commentEither click here, or on the orange icon in the sidebar to listen to the Bible Heroes podcast created by Year 6 pupils at St Francis of Assisi VA Primary School in Ingleby Barwick (link to school website). Click on Episode 1.
Link works with Internet Explorer 7.
To listen to this podcast with iTunes:
Open iTunes>Advanced>Subscribe to podcast. In the window which opens, copy this URL:
http://www.podiumpodcasting.com/~182439/Y6atSTF210607000355/rss.xml
and paste it into the iTunes URL window.
The eight Year Six pupils I was working with, had chosen the theme of Bible Heroes. They first listened to a podcast in the role of “audio critics”, selecting elements which they thought were good, but also made comments about where there was room to improve.
Pupils worked in pairs to write their scripts, then loaded these into the Podium software to rehearse and record. The ease of use of the software meant that the children could concentrate on their speaking and listening skills, practising and performing until they were satisfied with the result. They also evaluated each other’s podcasts and made useful points to improve the quality.
When asked at the end what they had learned from the experience, they made comments such as:
- it made me realise how important deadlines are
- you need to work as a team
- it’s important to speak slowly and clearly
- you have to make it sound interesting
- you have to be responsible, otherwise it doesn’t work
- it makes you think about what you are going to say and how you say it
During the remaining weeks of the summer term, these eight “podders” are now going to teach podcasting to Year 5 pupils and so pass on the expertise they have learned.
If you want to know more about what podcasting is or read some ideas for how it can be used in RE, then click to watch this slideshow. (You can see a larger version by clicking on the SlideShare icon.
