Vidcast Reflection

            Our vidcast is called “Colonial Settlement.” We are working with a junior high history class and our cooperating teacher asked us to do a vidcast on the original 13 colonies. This project addresses Standard 4 in the U.S. History I of Utah’s Core Curriculum. We incorporated numerous standard objectives into the vidcast because we had to discuss a broad topic and our cooperating teacher wanted the project to lead into the American Revolution.

            There are multiple benefits to creating a vidcast on this particular subject. The original 13 colonies is the basis for much of American history. This information is an integral lesson that explains the foundations of Democracy and why the colonists fought against the British to become their own nation. This vidcast offers students a visual on that information. It combines visual, linguistic and musical aspects to accommodate different kinds of learners. Although it is short, it is a great way of introducing this specific topic to a classroom. It prepares them mentally to examine this time period and discover new aspects of history.

            This vidcast also complies with multiple INTASC Standards. Some of which include: Standard 2F in which the teacher must incorporate appropriate resources to facilitate individual student learning and 3E which requires teachers to differentiate instruction to meet individual

student learning needs. This project also complies with NETS Standards as well. More specifically it complies with Standard 3 which asks teachers to model digital-age work and learning. This vidcast demonstrates new technology that will very likely be integrated into the student’s future education or careers.

            Some potential drawbacks to using this series might be that it requires media and technology that some classrooms don’t have access to. Many classrooms are not able to use much technology yet. There is also that chance that a classroom will not react positively to new approach to learning.

            I think a series like this would be very beneficial in my future classroom. I intend to utilize vidcasts such as this one as an introduction into new topics. This way I can provide visuals and media to help my students get a brief overview of what we will be discussing and also help them to analyze the topics more. I believe that it is also necessary to help students become more familiar with different components of technology as it will be a large part of their lives. As a result, teachers must be familiar with it as well.