Journal #1

Power of the Mashup by Suzie Boss and Jane Krauss

This article was about Mashup, which is an amazing way to create entirely new learning experiences by gathering information from many different sources (mainly via the web). The article discussed various programs that have been created as a result of Mashup, such as Google Lit Trips. Mashup makes it possible for students to have a multidimensional learning experience. This was an exciting article to read. It really made me want to get out and teach literature again! I also felt very overwhelmed reading this article, as I realized just how much I need to learn and how far I still have to go to incorporate such incredible learning experiences via technology into my classroom.

1. How can I promote deeper learning into my classroom projects? I am thinking it might be interesting for students to do their own mashup, instead of only experiencing the results of one. If kids participate in the gathering of knowledge to create something totally new, they could really gain a deep understanding of their new information.

2. How can I be certain that technology plays a secondary role to the information gathered and created? Obviously, the vehicle (technology, with all its bells and whistles) used to do the mashup is very exciting and important to learn how to use. However, I would want to stress in projects done with technology that while the process is important, the information gathered, the way it is used, and what the new knowledge has taught us is most important.