I just returned from sleuthing in search of examples of student multimedia projects with an academic purpose. It’s amazing to think that I thought first to use Google to find examples, (and I did find some good ones!), when stellar examples were right here under foot!

Tracy Mendham teaches English at Keene State and is well into the throws of her revamped English 101 class: Thinking and Writing 101 “A Blog of One’s Own: Women and Authorship in the Digital Revolution.”

“This course examines the ways in which information technology is reshaping the relationship between reader, writer, and text, and the role of women’s voices in the digital revolution…A semester-long research project will challenge you to explore and respond to a chosen topic related to social computing as a means of empowerment for women and other marginalized groups. Participation in group discussions and contribution to online weblogs and podcasts will aid in your development as self-aware participants in public discourse.”

It’s important for teachers to take advantage of the passion of students for learning by tapping into the digital environment they are familiar with. Tracy is modeling the best of academic use of technology by using a class blog to facilitate discussion and she takes it a step further by requiring students to blog and develop a podcast. Have a look at the developing blogs by her and her students: http://keeneweb.org/tmendham

JENNY