Podcasts+in+a+current+events+class

Presenter: Steve Schoessler School District: Hempfield High School Email: steve_schoessler@hempfieldsd.org

BLOG notes are at the bottom

We are a Mac school and used the iLife software to create these projects. The tech specialist capture you tube videos and helped edit them to keep them copyright compliant, the librarians worked with the students to find copyright free pictures. Students constructed scripts before coming to class to set up their presentations and record their podcasts.
 * Some notes:**

Current Issues Project


 * PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION:**

As we have discussed in this class, current issues are an ongoing study that is essential for a full understanding of the issues, events, and people that shape our lives. We have studied foreign and domestic events and issues in order to have a more comprehensive understanding of our world and the matters that we face on a daily basis. This project will allow you to study a particular issue of your choosing in a more in-depth manner. Through your project, you will study both sides of your topic, examining the major arguments for and against your issue.

You will select one issue (with teacher approval) and prepare a podcast using Keynote and Garage Band. In preparation for your podcast, you will thoroughly research your topic, write a script for your podcast (covering both sides of the issue as well as your opinion), create slides that correspond to your podcast, and then record your podcast using Garage Band. Your podcast will be evidence of your research and overall work for your project.

All sources used for the podcast should be cited using the MLA format.

__**RESEARCH**__

This project will incorporate both in-class and outside research. Your project will need to include a combination of print and Internet sources. As you research, please pay careful attention to the sources that you use. The sources should be academic and the information able to be verified in other sources – please do not use Wikipedia or any other encyclopedia. Mr. Schoessler will let you know what days will be available for in-class research, but the majority of the research will be done outside of class. Class time will be provided for the recording and editing of your podcast.


 * POSSIBLE CURRENT ISSUES TOPICS:**

The Iraq Constitution

The Iraqi Government

Nuclear Threats from North Korea

Nuclear Threats from Iran

Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process

Conflict Within the Lebanese Government/Israel vs. Hezbollah

Chinese Human Rights

Reforms Within the Chinese Government

Hurricane Relief in the Gulf States

Drugs in Professional Sports

Abortion

The Use of Marijuana for Medicinal Purposes

Reforms for Social Security

Preventing Terrorism in the United States

The Use of Secret Prison Camps by the CIA

Renewed Version of the Patriot Act

No Child Left Behind

Faith-Based Funding

Controversial Legislation (Pick a bill to study)

If you have an additional topic that you would like to study, please see Mr. Schoessler.


 * YOU MUST HAVE TEACHER APPROVAL BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR RESEARCH

blogging notes iTunes store government, nbc, abc, cbs, download and listen to podcasts in school

Agenda: Overview What is a podcast relevant softwares examples hints and helpful suggestions

Previously did a PowerPoint for comparing 2 viewpoints at the start of the year decided to podcast it

Students do research out of class, create podcast in class topics: medicinal marijuana, milk- good for you or not.

ways to use podcasts- culminating event record a lesson for your substitute to play when you are out

Process: Garageband, iPhoto, iMovie, photobooth, Moodle, blogserver, internet sites, outside research

Write scripts and record in short clips

example podcasts DarFur

copyright very important, work with staff,

Headsets with mics are helpful, spread the students around the school, make friends with your librarian and tech coach

Helpful hints get started early budget more time than you think is necessary scaffold the skills collaborate- use the resources available at your school**