KleinPod: Podcasting in Klein ISD

Now, I know that some will claim that it’s because I’m a Virgo, but I started doing a little more planning today. I think I have the basis for a great rubric for this pilot based on TAKS results.

We’d like to focus our podcasting on specific TAKS objectives that students are having trouble with. This will truly highlight how technology can integrate individualization in a classroom. When discussing TAKS results with Stacey, she mentioned that physics was the objective our students struggle with most on the science TAKS test.

I know very little about physics, but my friend and mentor, Mary Obenauf from Pasadena ISD, is a master physics teacher, especially when dealing with at-risk teenagers. I called her today to tell her how the grant was progressing, and then conversation turned to TAKS (as it always does with teachers). I mentioned what Stacey had said, and Mary made the suggestion that she guest teach for a day. Because of the distance between Pasadena and Klein, and because of the nontraditional schedule that we implemented at Vistas, I did not think that was feasible. Besides, Mary has so many toys and manipulatives for instruction that it would be hard to transport them all.

And then, it hit me.

I guess it takes a while once you get new technology to fully realize its potential, but I think I’m starting to realize it now. Why don’t Stacey and I vodcast Mary and the best practices that she uses successfully? Not only would she be able to share her techniques, she’d be able to share how she does it – projects like her hovercraft and magic circle formula.

I can’t remember the last time I was so excited over science!