Podcasting

CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENT


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In September 1814, Francis Scott Key set sail from Baltimore aboard the ship HMS Minden to the Chesapeake Bay to secure the release of a popular town physician, Dr. William Beanes. The release was secured, but Key was detained on the ship overnight during the shelling of Fort McHenry, one of the forts defending Baltimore. During the night, Key witnessed the bombardment by the British navy through a port hole on the ship. His poem makes reference to the bombardment, identifying it as the “rockets’ red glare” and the “bombs bursting in air.” Once the shell and Congreve rocket barrage had stopped, Key waited anxiously to see which flag would be flown over the fort. Key was inspired by the American victory and the sight of the large American flag flying triumphantly above the fort the next morning. Aboard the ship the next day, Key wrote a poem on the back of a letter he had kept in his pocket and after finishing it, entitled it “Defense of Fort McHenry.” The poem soon attained wide popularity as sung to the tune “To Anacreon in Heaven.” “The Star Spangled Banner” was officially made the national anthem by Congress in 1931, although it already had been adopted as such by the army and the navy.

REFLECTION

                   Podcasting is a great tool for teachers and students to use in the classroom.  Teachers can make podcasts for their substitute teachers to listen for directions or to play in the classroom for the students.  Teachers can also post daily podcasts of their lessons that can be made available to students who are absent or who need to hear it again for better clarification.  Students can either listen to the whole lecture again or fast forward to the parts that they did not understand in class the first time.  Podcasts can also be used for students who work well with auditory learning.  Parents can also listen to the podcasts to know what their students are learning in class and can use it as an effective tool to help them with their homework.  Students can use podcast in an educational setting as well.  For example, when on a field trip, teachers can have students break up into small groups to find certain information/answers.  The students can interview one another and get a recording of their questions and answers to listen to when they are back inside of the classroom.  Essentially, each group can listen to each other groups’ podcast.  Students can also use podcasts to make classroom announcements or reminders.  Students can also incorporate podcasts into group projects.  The group can work collaboratively to come up with a script, record, and edit their work.