Listening & Media Literacy in the Social Studies Classroom

I have always been impressed with the way foreign language teachers infuse the enhancing of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills with their content on a day to day basis.  The combination of differentiation, utilization of technology, active learning, and content acquisition in well run language classes is truly remarkable.  I have worked hard this past school year to actively promote and grow the skill set of my students, rather than simply "give them information." A site that I have found great value in is Vocaroo, an easy to share voice recording platform.

"No man ever listened himself out of a job"-Calvin Coolidge

To culminate our final unit on Political Philosophies and Media Literacy, I created sample audio clips for class analysis that highlighted a political philosophy's views on a particular issue within the American political scene.  Students were able to practice applying context clues and key words to the identification of a given philosophy and position. In the age of infinite access to information, I reckon the ability to identify and recognize bias is of the utmost importance. Also, instead of listening to me (again) read the statements in front of the class, the playing of the different audio clips give students natural transitions and miniature breaks throughout.

Freedom of Speech According to a Statist

Voice Recorder >>

I have blogged before about the need to use technology and digital resources as a medium to more effectively promote the critical reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills that have separated the successful from the rest of the pack for scores of generations. Something as simple as utilizing a free voice recorder can take a traditional type of activity/skill like listening and enhance the delivery and results.

Corporate Welfare/ Bailouts According to a Libertarian

Record and upload voice >>

Student Loan Interest Rates According to a Liberal

Voice Recorder >>

How else can we utilize the infinite resources around us to better promote and enhance listening skills? What tools do you use? 

Lessons from Kodak

I was sad and initially shocked to read this week that Kodak is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. In business for 131 years, and the only camera/film company I can remember from my childhood, conventional wisdom would suggest Kodak would be thriving in an age when it seems everybody has a camera and fancies themselves a photographer.  Reflecting further, however, I failed to recall new products or any buzz surrounding Kodak in quite some time.  I see a lot of Nikons and Canons, and a lot of people using smartphones to take pictures, but do not see any Kodaks.  People posts thousands of pictures on Facebook and other picture sharing platforms, but not many print photos on Kodak paper.  It seems the creators of the digital camera in the 1970s were out innovated and out developed in the market they invented, and there’s a lesson here for educators and schools.  If we offer the same curriculum and the same instruction year after year, we run the risk of becoming increasingly irrelevant over time. Resting on tradition and becoming complacent in what we do and offer puts us on the same path that Kodak went down.  Just as businesses run the risk of economic bankruptcy in the absence of growth and innovation, schools risk creative and inspirational bankruptcy that cripples school culture and impedes the opportunity for meaningful and fulfilling work to be done.

Focus on research and development, stay fresh, and encourage risk taking.  Stay ahead of the trends, and provide staff and students with the optimal environment for excellence.  Calvin Coolidge brilliantly said, “Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence....  Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent,” and by pursuing innovation and inspiring imagination and creativity throughout the entire school with the necessary persistence we will continue to offer exciting new ideas and opportunities and avoid being kodaked.