Podcast/Vidcast Paper

The name of the podcast is Ellis Island. Ellis Island fits into the 5th Grade Social Studies Curriculum. I was very excited about this topic since it can link the past to the present through the very real topic of immigration. I see some of the students being able to relate about the experience of coming into a new country that they are different and as a class listing the ways such as language, dress and culture. The students can then list the ways that immigrants are the same such as feelings, having family and maybe playing sports. I see this topic relevant today by bring in newspapers with articles about immigration, negative and positive. The students can then make an easier leap to immigrants in the past and to see that some attitudes have changed and others have not.
I see being able to have a podcast with chapters alternating between the past and present. In the Utah Core this standard is linked to economic development of the United States. I like the idea of building a story. I think a class of 5th graders would really enjoy creating a digital story throughout the year for Social Studies, to keep it simple and add several slides at a time.
The podcast of Ellis Island connects to the NETS in several areas. The first area is 1.B., about engaging students in current issues and looking at solutions. The topic is immigration, to have students see the past and the similarities to the present and being able to present ideas for solutions through teacher guided discussion. I see this following 1. C and D. In the NETS guide I see using a podcast in a YouTube format being in-line with digital learning and promoting individual curiosities and learning styles. In the 3 of NETS I understand this as using media in several ways such as the podcast uses photos, PowerPoint and Photo Story along with narration to create excitement. Number 4 of NETS is a great way to show why the photos can be used legally in the podcast of Ellis Island and a great way to help students understand about Internet safety and their own images. The last standard, 5, is about continued learning. Currently this is an easy on for me since I am in school and work with other students who have a passion for technology. As a future teacher I do look forward to keeping up on technology so that my students and I present information in another dynamic.
The INTASC Standards for Ellis Island podcast are easily met. The first standard that refers to a positive learning environment is met with the students understanding of immigration then and now. This helps students gain a respect for diversity and culture while at the same time keeping the students interest through media making classroom management easier. The second standard is met through the podcast since Ellis Island and immigration are part of the core curriculum and the students will be able to connect the past to the present. The third standard is met by engaging the students in conversation of, what would they do, scenarios. The fourth standard could be met by having students journal as if they were an immigrant answering questions of why. The fifth standard is met by producing a correct podcast and being able to create a positive atmosphere for discussion of ideas in the classroom and with peers.
At this time I do not see any drawbacks to using this series in my future classroom. I do see making the podcast with more dialogue questions and adding more chapters as a class project through guided prompts t o stay with the core curriculum.