When most people think of a high school English project , words such as “ technology ” and “ mobile apps ” don ’ t automatically come to mind .
But that didn ’ t stop Parkwood High teacher Samantha Sherlin from seamlessly integrating technology into her English II class by having her students use the MAD-learn web-based curriculum program to create social justice podcasts . With five topics that included the civil rights movement , indifference , human rights , women ’ s rights and Native American rights , the students were encouraged to examine how justice is served in society .
“ The students did research , wrote and edited scripts , recorded podcasts , and created an app that houses all of their information ,” she said . “ It ’ s very similar to a research essay but not quite as formal .”
It ’ s a project that really engaged her students , Samantha said , and
Parkwood High students showcase social justice podcasts at state conference
one that earned her and three students an invitation to the North Carolina Technology in Education Society ( NCTies ) Student Showcase on March 1 . During the conference , Samantha and her students showcased their projects , discussed their research process and talked about the challenges and rewards they encountered when creating their podcasts and apps .
With the availability of the MAD-learn app this year , Samantha said , her students were able to house all of their information in one convenient location that allowed them to share it with their peers and a larger audience .
“ Before , when we did this without the MAD-learn app , On March 1 , Parkwood High teacher Samantha Sherlin and three of it was really just myself that her students traveled to the NCTies conference in Raleigh , where got to listen to everyone ’ s they will showcase and discuss their social justice podcasts with podcast ,” she said . “ Now , the attendees . students aren ’ t writing for just their teacher to listen to it , they ’ re writing it for everyone to have an opportunity to listen and learn from it . When they listen to each other ’ s podcasts , they ’ re able to get multiple perspectives of a variety of social justice issues throughout the world .”
Sophomore Emily Salay , who will present her podcast that examines indifference in today ’ s society , said this project was a “ really cool way to have students interact with technology and various subjects .”
In her app , she lists indifference as “ seeing something that is wrong and not acting against it , which causes more intolerance towards people .” During the podcast , Emily explores the question of how past issues of indifference affect society today .
“ I listened to another student ’ s podcast on women ’ s rights . I haven ’ t studied that topic very much , so I learned a lot about the history of it ,” she said . “ When people listen to my podcast , I want them to understand that this is a global issue and one that is still present . I want them to change their everyday life and just treat people better .”
Samantha said her ultimate goal for this project is for her students to improve their researching , reading and writing skills , be able to look at the impact of social issues in the world and be able to support whatever stance they take on issues with factual evidence .
“ Pairing this with the podcast and MAD-learn , I want them to be able to support what they say and put their ideas out there and share it with others ,” she said . “ Incorporating the technology in the class lets them see that education can be fun . You don ’ t always have to write a five-page essay – English can be fun and engaging .”
18 • May / June 2018 • Parent Teacher Magazine