scavenger hunts

Scavenger hunts are awesome because they can be done by anyone, whether or not they have access to technology or not.  They are especially useful for history because they require doing research.  In turn, research aids students in developing their own conclusions.  Scavenger hunts can have people, places, things, phrases, or anything relevant to a topic on them.  THen, the students are tasked with researching and explaining why what it is, is important. They can findo ut by reading books or articles online.  We then can discuss the findings in class.  This task is general and broad, allowing students to be creative and original.

Adaptive technology

Adaptive technology rules.  This stuff makes a general education available to almost anyone, even people with severe disabilities.  THe technology allows students to view websites, even if they are blind, hear, even though they are deaf, type, even without control of their hands, and learn despite their disadvantages.  Every modification has been made to technology that most privileged people take for granted, so that those who can't use it can.  Keys on keyboards are made larger, track balls are larger and less sensitive, text is enlarged, websites can be read aloud.  It takes a lot of practice to learn how to use this space aged technology, and most people can't afford it, but for those who can, life is changed.  The day that inner city schools get this stuff will be the day that the achievement gap is eliminated, but one can hope.  The fact that this technology even exists, for a small but constantly growing population, represents a feat of magnificent magnitude.  It means that someone out there, probably someone trying to make a buck off of someone else's misfortune, or that person him or herself, cares enough to create this adaptive technology.
Maybe someday, the people who need this technology to live a more equal life will be able to afford it on their own, or with the help of a government and population that currently ignores them as much as possible.

web 2.0

I did my web 2.0 on DIIGO.  I like  this website because it is a social networking site that is based on useful information.  I do not use facebook because I can't stand seeing what other people waste their time doing.  However, this website connects people with similar interests regarding information.  For instance, people who read a lot of political articles online are introduced to each other.  This website would be useful to use in school because students would have paper free access to current event articles and other websites that i wanted them to see. It consolidates what I want into a single place so that students can avoid nonsensical websites.  I can also make notes and highlight what I want on other websites.  Then, all students will be able to see my notes and highlights.  I can post qeustions and highlight the aprts that I am referring to.

However, many students do not have internet access at their homes, so I could not possibly rely on this, or any other website for homework assignments.

Podcasting

Podcasts can be made by anyone with the required technology.  Podcasts can be made on garageband about anything that the recorder wants to talk about.  A person can record his or her voice and add pictures which will show while the persons' voice is playing.  As a teacher, I could use podcast to record more difficult lectures and lessons. The students could then access it on their own time and play it as many times as they need to.  They could focus on specific parts, such as the casuses of the Civil War, or the Battle of Gettysburg.

However, many students at inner city schools, such as south philly, or another one that i probably will get a job at, do not have mac computers.  Nor do the libraries have them.  Therefore, many students would not be able to make their own podcasts, or even listen to mine.