The Two Minute Soapbox (or TMS) blog http://www.intelligenic.com/soapbox/ is a social podcasting experiment where educators post their advice, inspiration, ideas and point of view in a two minute posting that extends across the curriculum and around the world…all in small digestible two minute portions. :) Select a podcast that interests you to listen to and describe it in your posted comments on this blog. Did you or didn't you agree with the podcaster's opinion, advice or ideas?
61 comments:
Ho Hum and unauthentic. The 008 Victoria - Two minute Soapbox - went[6:13]. I would bet with great certainty that a script was read for this one and most of the others as well.The 005 Kacy Carter was genuine and the information really works. This one was worth the visit to this website.
what about anyone else's Blog?Somebody help me.
I agree with Matt many of the graphics are a little bit annoying they come out at you too much.
However the teaching techniques related to integrating technology in school are pretty good!
Chris,I don't know why your comment for the"Intergrating Technology into the Classroom" article is posted in the "Two Minute Soapbox" article blog space??,but I really appreciate the fact that you pay attention to what I have to say.I love this class, the teacher is really bringing so much to us I love it.
I listened to episode 007 by Chris Raabe. I thought it was funny and actually laughed out loud a little while listening to it. It was just short enough to be informative and insightful. I think the "Get Shorty" method is a good idea. When trying to break up a fight or an argument, we need to remember that we are the teachers. It is a good idea that we do not get in the middle and do not raise our voices as well. I do not know how well this would work on a high school level but it is certainly worth a shot!
Matt, you are too funny. I listened to the Ken Talley box and thought that it reinforced some good practices. Using internet projects for assessment and learning is a great way for students to meet on equal ground and explore learning together.
lynne, I agree that teachers need to compose themselves in front of the students and remember that were role models for them. I think that this method might work in some high schools or with some kids but not all.
Matt's comments are too funny! I agree with Dave and Matt - I think the internet can be a great way to get students to explore and work together.
After a couple of months since I first posted a blog and further studying Technology, I revisited this website and listened to an even dozenf the episodes. I remain noy overly inspired. However; I can overlook the fact that almost everyone of these podcasts uses the same track from garage band and I "hear"value of learning in almost every podcast. I still favor 007 and episode 002. PEACE.
After a few months of further studying Technology in the classroom, I have developed a greater appreciation for these podcasts than I had the first time I listened to them. I favor as the best of these to be episodes # 007 and #002. Peace.
I never heard of Pod casting until learning about it in this class. I think that it is a very great use of technology that teachers should take advantage of. This particular site offers teachers a lot of good information. According to one teacher who has a pod cast on this website, “Never stop learning. We don’t have to know everything, but we should be willing to find answers and search for new techniques.” By listening to ideas and suggestions that other teachers offer we can learn. Another teacher expressed her belief that “knowledge is POWER” and in her pod cast, her enthusiasm for both learning and teaching is expressed. Each of the pod casts posted offer a lot of information that should be considered by all teachers, especially new ones as my self. Experience is one of the best ways to learn, and as teachers, we can learn from the experience of other teachers.
So funny. I listened to Mr. Raabe's method of discipline entitled "Get shorty" and wondered if I could use that sometime in my future. This is a great way for real teachers to tell other teachers what works for them. I imagine if one technique does not work, then there are plenty of others to try. I'm open to hearing it all.....
The Podcasts presented by the teachers were very interesting. I listened to Ken Talley, Dwight Thieman, and Sarah Schoenrock-all of whom had positive messages about teaching and learning. I really enjoyed how Ken Talley used the internet with his students as a way for them to share information with a global community. He gave the project meaning and purpose. I though that Dwight Thieman spoke very openly about the responsibility teachers have to be life-long learners. Sarah Schoenrock was correct in her assessment of the variety that comes with teaching. Everyday is different. It seems as though Podcasting is a very creative and technologically advanced way to share knowledge and ideas!
I also liked the quote that Melissa highlighted. Mr. Thiemann stated that, "we don't have to know everything, but we should be willing to find new answers and search for new techniques". I thought this was a really inspiring quote. It says a lot about teachers being informed and updated on new technologies and new ways to reach their students.
Putting it out there for everyone to hear? I guess I am more of a visual learner than I thought. It feels like radio... before T.V. No I'm not that old, but this forum does allow for auditory learners to express themselves. Maybe if it was used for interpreting and included GarageBand?
Theresa P.
I felt that "Two Minute Soapbox" really focused on people's technology philosophies within the classroom. I found that it was interesting to compare their philosophies. The fact that you can connect with someone who is all the way across the country or world is amazing. You can share viewpoints in a way that the generation before us never could.
“Never stop learning. We don’t have to know everything, but we should be willing to find answers and search for new techniques.” was a quote Melissa mentioned. I found this to be quite inspiring as well. As teachers, we are role models to our students. On a daily basis we are looking to improve our techniques and gain knowledge. Podcasting is one way to get information and advice from other teachers.
I think the application of technology in the classroom is seemingly endless. These teachers are all using various methods and are achieving success with their students. Implementing technology can be extremely valuable since it has real life applications. These students are going to be surrounded by technology as adults and helping them learn to use different methods (podcast, blogs, photostory, web quests, etc.) will help them improve their technological creativity and their skills.
"Teaching…sometimes its a buzz and sometimes it can sting!" This speaks so much truth as a teacher. We need to take the risk of trying on new view points and implementing new strategies in the classroom. How else will we move our learning environment forward and parallel our society's technology? Although a lesson may be really effective doesn't mean it should stay exactly the same for ten years. I liked this quote though because it captures the possibility of failure. Although something may not work out, I know the students would respect you for trying it!
Jessica, I agree that it's amazing we can connect with educators across the nation. Who would think we can not only learn from someone in the next classroom, but in the next state? The advice and wisdom from other teachers have been such a help in teaching my last two years. It would be even more helpful hearing the experience of another teacher when teaching the same grade on the same topic.
“By listening to the perspectives of people around me, I can trigger thoughts of my own and apply the lessons I hear about to my own situation.” Andrew Middleton made this statement in his podcast and I believe it clearly summarizes the usefulness of this site. We are provided free access to listen to what teachers are doing around the world and apply it to our own lessons. Electronic scrapbooks of Internet travels, and local businesses teaming up with students to create skits about the town, which are then polished in Imovie and published to share on DVD are just two of many interesting ways to implement technology as shared by VaReane Heese.
Megan, I think you touched upon something very powerful. We always encourage our students to try and that if they mistakes it is okay. The same goes for teachers. Make the step to include some form of new technology in a lesson. If it does not go as planned, then dissect what happened and make alterations for next time. Regardless, students will appreciate your effort!
I viewed teacher Ken Talley' from Canby, Oregon perspective on internet based projects to increase collobration of technolgy and students. The significance of technology and students collaboration and insight into their work, is of relevance and important to proper assessment and learning. Student' needs and modern technology must take precedence in the classroom, and this teachers fresh take on fun yet innovative projects for students are essential to good instruction.
Melissa, I had never heard of a pod cast as well. It's a great way to connect with other teachers and get their experiences, stories, etc.
Andrea, I agree with you that the students needs must take precedence in the classroom and we can do that with modern technology. Podcasts are definately a fun and yet innovative way that teachers can incorportate technology into their classrooms. Podcasts can provide students both with the opportunity to show their knowledge and give information as well as take in and learn information from other students and teachers.
I listened to KC Carter, a high school teacher from Canton, Ohio. I found his words helpful. He spoke about peer pressure, competition and feeling special. He gave helpful tips on how to incorporate these issues into the classroom. When I have my own classroom I will use his advice on peer pressure. He says that a teacher should incorporate this into a lesson by raising a concerning issue.
I strongly agree with Pat F. Applying technology is tremendously valuable since it has real life applications. Our students are going to be surrounded by technology as adults and we have to be the ones to put them on the map.
I believe that this social podcasting experiment is an excellenet idea! I think that its great that educators have the opportunity to post their personal advice, ideas, and even their point of views in a two minute posting that communicates to other educators across the globe. It allows educators to listen to their fellow collegues.
I completely agree with Jessica K that this "soapbox" really focues on the people's philosophies within just a classroom. It really is great that people can communicate and exchange idea with others using this device!
I listened to episode 003- an elementary teacher explaining activities that engage students. She explained activities broken down by grade level that really kept students focused and intrigued. Manipulatives were great for younger grades, while skits, advertisements, business plans, debates and mysteries were among the favorites of the older grades. One thing was absolutely true- today, technology adds a new twist on activities. These may include simulations and webquests; they were among her favorites. She had some very useful recommendations.
I listened to Victoria Monacelli's podcast about how incorporating technology in her classroom has provided her 8th grade students with real world technology skills. I loved her comment about how she has let her students redefine her role as a facilitator and resource in the classroom. Students talked about how technology has helped them learn so much about the holocaust and connect with holocaust survivors. Very interesting and worthwhile to listen to.
Like Marguerite and Melissa, I had never listened to a podcast nor did I know much about them. I've since developed an appreciation for podcasts as I enter into my teaching career. They are a great source of information from fellow teachers, authors, students, etc.
I listened to a podcast by Ken Talley - a fifth grade teacher from Canby, Oregon. His podcast introduced a strategy called "Collaborative Internet Projects". It was presented as a slide show which was very organized and the voice over was clear and descriptive. The internet projects he described foster collaboration and a sense of community. I thought his idea was great. He also included a web address for listeners to visit to learn more about the internet projects. Any time students take an active role in their learning it is a valuable experience and this is the kind of learning Ken Talley supports in his podcast.
I agree with Katie M. Technology definitely adds a "twist" on learning. I know my first grade students are always excited when I show them something on the internet. Yesterday, for example, I asked them to guess the actual temperature (my students have been learning about temperature) as part of our morning math problem. After they had guessed, I showed them how to check the temperature on www.weather.com and they all jumped out of their seats to run over to see what was on the computer screen! I wish we had more funding for technology in the schools. It is a great motivational tool.
As a fifth year teacher, I enjoyed listening to the perspectives of other professionals in various fields of education. As educators we need to share our experiences and relate to one another. We may not always agree with the philosophies of other educators, but we need to respect the opinions of others in our field. I am willing to try different methods in my classroom at any given moment, and I appreciate the wealth of information I have been exposed to over my five year career.
Kimberly S.
I agree with Jenn G., technology does provide a wonderful addition to the classroom. It allows for a "break" from the norm of reading and allows for independent research. I do believe it can be abused and overused by teachers if the lesson is not well thought out or does not bear a sense of connection to the curriculum. I like to see my students animated and engaged, but do feel they should be "pumped up" to read a good book as well.
Kimberly S.
The 003 VaReane - I have been a substitute teacher and I use alot of engaging lessons including role playing, games, use of maniplitives, including the use of the internet to do research. I beleive that this are all important learning tool in the classroom. There is nothing worse than being a student that is bored. It is the teachers good to realize the problem and rectify it. Find out what your students like and try to format their likes into your lessons. The student will likely be engaged in something that he/she enjoys.
I agreed with what Katie M said aboout an elementary teacher explaining activities that engage students. THe activities were designed by grade level which helps studnts remain focused and engaged. Using Manipulatives are great for all grades. Some students learn better with manipulatives from grades 1 to 6. Engaging students to learn is best down through the things that children enjoy to do. The growth of technology adds a new twist on activities.
I listened to the Chris Raabe episode about the “Get Shorty” approach to disciplining students and found it very interesting. I can relate to what he said about when you first start teaching you want to change the world, but after awhile you simply want to survive your own classroom. I feel his approach to discipline is a good one, as if two students are arguing about something, we should stay calm, look the student in the eyes and tell them that their actions could result in “something mentally painful for them after school.” I feel that we need to stay calm and in control during situations like this. Like Chris said, it will “save our voice and save our life.”
Justin M.
I agree with what Kathleen R said about the use of manipulatives and technology in the classroom. Anything that gets the students motivated and involved in the learning process is a must for all teachers. I also feel that technology can be abused if it is overused or used in the wrong way for lessons. However, we should not be afraid to try something new and different with our students, as it might lead to something great for them to explore.
Justin M.
The podcasts provided insightful perspectives from different teachers all around the country. I think podcasts are a good thing for teachers to do, so they can be heard. I listened to a few podcastes and the one that stuck out for me was the Kacy Carters one where he tells you what (in his opinion)3 things motivate students. I agree that competition, peer pressure and feeling special motivate students. Healthy competition is good for the students and every student wants the praise and recognition, so the shy kids get in on this feeling special bandwagon. Peer pressure is hard to tackle but Mr. Carters says that "it forces kids into conversations" about certain topics. You pick a topic, get a student who is soo passionate about it and then brings in those that are more reserved into the conversation. And as their teacher, you can steer the direction of where the conversation goes from there. I think these 3 things definitely motivate students to learn.
sabrina
Kristen Hayes.
I listened to Dwight Thiemann's podcast. His advice to teachers both old and new, was to never stop learning. As teachers, we must continue to learn new methods and techniques in order to teach our students successfully. I agree with the Dwight that teachers must be lifelong learners and inspire our students to do the same. I really enjoyed this podcast, as it was both inspirational and a real eye-opener.
Kristen H.
I agree with Justin's comment about technology. Although, technology is a great way to motivate students, it can be ineffective if overused or not used in the right away. For instance if a teacher uses a powerpoint presentation and is reading word for word from the slides, that is boring and ineffective. It's basically the same idea as reading from the chalkboard. Technology needs to be used creatively and as a way to enhance lessons or key concepts.
Although I enjoyed many of the podcasts that I listened to, I especially liked Kacy Carter’s podcast in which he talked about motivation. As a high school math teacher I find it hard to motivate my students. I agree with Carter in that competition, peer pressure and recognition are all good ways to motivate students. I like to play jeopardy with my students. I find they are so much more excited about the lesson when they have the chance to show their classmates what they know. I also think that he has a valid point about recognition. Everyone likes to be told when they have done well, especially teenagers. Often they don’t get the positive praise they need; something as simple as a sticker could make the difference in their day. While I agree with Carter that peer pressure can play a positive role in the classroom, I think this method of motivation is a little riskier. I think a teacher has to know their students very well and know when some students will still feel uncomfortable being part of a discussion.
Katie G.
I agree with Kristen’s take on Dwight Thiemann’s podcast. Teachers are never done learning! Like Kristen, I feel that learning is a life long process and that teachers especially should always make a point to learn new techniques, technologies and methods. I also feel that students will model what they see. If they see that their teachers are actively learning as well, then it will encourage them to become lifelong learners also.
Katie G.
This was the first podcast I ever listened to. I was not quite sure what to expect. I really enjoyed listening to Samantha Hubbard’s podcast on Two Minute Soap Box. She explained that she loves teacher because she likes to share the learning with her students. I think that it is an excellent way to connect with students by showing them that you too are learning as well. Samantha sounded like a really fun teacher, especially when she explained how she does not like to be bored. I would have wanted her as my teacher when I was in 8th grade! I liked listening to what other teachers had to say and I was happy they were short and sweet podcasts.
I agree with Katie’s post about motivation. It is extremely important to get students motivated about what they will be learning. I like Katie’s method of playing jeopardy and I remember always enjoying jeopardy games in school. Games are a great way to get students interested in learning. I completely agree with Katie that although peer pressure can be a useful tool to motivate students, it is necessary for the teacher to know his/her students before doing so because this method wont be successful for everybody.
As a first time podcast listener/viewer, I was not sure what to expect. I listened to four different podcasts from teachers from varied disciplines and grade levels. My first impression is that this can be an effective way of getting multiple points of view about just about anything. In fact, this might be a good tool for all students to hear from people "in the business" to get a feel as to whether or not to pursue a career as a teacher, or any other profession. It might even be a good source of information on topics as diverse as cooking to parenting.
I agree with Justin,the podcast from Chris Raab about the "Get Shorty" approach to discipline (although I never saw the movie) was entertaining and had some educational value. But I also agree with the comments from Matthew posted back in February that most of the podcasts sounded very scripted and unauthentic. Personally,I prefer "You Tube" over podcasting as I am a visual learner and I prefer to see the dynamics of a teacher in action in front of a live class. With that said, "Two Minute Soapbox" has its place and I will probably find more value as I listen to more of them.
I listened to episode 004 by Andrew Middleton. In his one-and-a-half-minute-long podcast, Andrew hints at how this tool opens up great possibilities for the exchange of ideas within an ubiquitous, ever-growing forum. Podcasting is also useful in the classroom as a way to learn and practice languages and skills, present guest lectures and interviews with experts, etc. It’s a productive and easy to use tool that, as Andrew mentions in his piece, broadens the horizon for all involved in education.
Paco K.
I agree with Kristen that teachers must continue to learn and expand their repertoire of teaching tools and strategies. By trying to stay up to date with the new teaching opportunities that these tools afford us, we both model for our students a positive attitude to learning new things and are more in tune with our audience.
Paco K.
I did like this forum for sharing ideas not only on techniques to be used in teaching but also ways to present different topics. I feel podcasting could be an extremely motivating tool for the students. They can communicate with other students around the world. I see this as a lesson in which can be done with a student partnered up with another student across the globe. To those that said that some of the responses seemed rehearsed and I am sure they were. Were they scripted by someone other than those who read it is something different. I myself would have to write my thoughts down before submitting them on a podcast. I see this as a great way to connect the world amongst adults sharing there thoughts on teaching or any other topic and students working with other students around the world.
I listened to episode 5. This teacher spoke about his 3 ways to motivate students; peer pressure, competition, and making students feel special. He made some really great points about using students to motivate each other. Once you are able to get a few students involved, they can help get the rest of the class involved. The teacher made a really good point about competition, all students become a little extra motivated when you can create a bit of friendly competition in a class activity. And the last, making a student feel special, is mainly for the shy and quiet students. If you can make them feel special, for even the smallest reason, it will motivate these students in the future. I thought this teacher had some really good ideas.
Kristen P
Katie G makes a really good point about using peer pressure to motivate students. I agree that it is really important that you know your students and have a good idea of which students may or may not benefit from this method.
Kristen P
Since I have listened to a podcast in the past, I knew what to expect when I listened to a few today. I think they are great for students to create and use in the classroom. However, like Art said I am a visual learner as well and I did find myself looking at other things while the podcast was playing and I did lose focus. I did notice that the podcasts that showed pictures that changed did keep my attention more than just the audio part. I too think videos from YOU TUBE or TEACH TUBE are more interesting, but not all learners are visual and the audio is just another way to throw in that golden word �DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION" =)
Tara L.
Karine M.
I chose the 2 minute soapbox by Kasey Carter on how he motivates his students and engages them with the use of peer pressure by using controversial topics that students are concerned about, competition, feeling special. Kids love to compete, evident in sports and games, and things like debate, and feeling special is a way to make everyone in the classroom feel recognized for individual capabilities, no matter what they are. I found this a great two minute insight into how to motivate students in the classroom.
Karine M.
I agree with Jessica K. that as teacher, we don't have to know everything, but we do have to continue to learn in order to benefit our students and act as role models that learning and education doesn't stop once you've graduated from school.
I listened to Episode 12 about using the internet for collaborative research projects. I think this is a great way to get students involved. Especially since our assignment was on a hotlist i thought that would be a great way to get students involved and want to learn and research.
I agree with Paco about episode #4 and how podcasting is a great tool to use oin the classroom. I think that we need to incorporate more technology becuase it is very relatable to the students.
Kelly L.
i agree with what kelly had to say. The internet is a great learning tool for collaborative research projects. And after completing a hotlist, i think hotlists serve as a much more topic geared resource tool for students to have when researching a particular topic. I have to agree with Art and Tara as well....the podcasts will not always work for those students who are not auditory learners.And Tara could not have said it better herself when she threw the term "differentiated instruction" out there. Students learn in all different ways and as teachers we must remember that when finding different ways of teaching the curriculum.
sabrina
James O.
I am not a first time podcast listener, but far from a frequent listener. This teaching podcast is great because teachers share their motivations for oftentimes a very stressful profession. Listening to these could help to alleviate stress, and help us to remeber why we are teaching (especially after a long day or week). This could also be effective for teachers within a particular subject area to share different approaches and motivations about how to teach a topic.
James O.
I agree with Katie and Kristen about Dwight's podcast that teachers never stop learning. The first people to see you as a teacher becoming stale are your students. They realize before you. I believe an effective way to motivate your students is that they see you doing work and constantly putting effort and more knowledge into the class. As you continue to teach the same material over and over again, you get bored of it, and the kids sense that. That is why it is so important to continue to learn, and constantly learn and improve as a teacher.
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