Week 9

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Maps and Mashups

For this week I created a google map that goes along with a third grade Language Arts lesson on the different experiences children had during World War 2. I believe that students can learn a lot from mashups if they are used appropriately in the classroom. As a teacher you can use mashups in a variety of situations and integrate it with all type of classroom curricular. One situation in which I would use mashups would be when my class was working with maps or world events (aka geography). My own map for example gives students a tool to explore different views, perceptions, and other resources about children during World War 2. By having the map with a summary along with it, the students are able to make connections to the data I am showing them and pinpoint it with a direct location on the globe. This will help students understand the magnitude of the size of the earth as well as make what they are learning more personal because of the fact that they can make an immediate connection between what you are teaching them and a physical point on the globe. The map also gives students other options such as clicking on links for further information, pictures, and even an option to view the map I created through google earth. Mashups are also good with helping you mix the type of literacy and learning styles you incorporate in your lessons. For example, a mashup that combines text with sound may help better facilitate both visual and auditory learners because they are required to read text and comprehend audio. Multiple types of learning are therefore occurring at the same time. Mashups like mine also give teachers the ability to teach virtually or digitally. This is important because most students have an interest in technology and working with computers. If the students are enjoying what they are doing then they will be more engaged in your lesson which will in return help them learn more and have the information that they do learn be more authentic. The learning will be more authentic because not only are the students engaged in the lesson, but they also making far more connections by using the tools that mashups provide as well. They are looking at pictures while reading text, listening to audio, clicking on links, watching a video, etc… I believe that if you use mashups appropriately, they will benefit both the teacher as well as the students in a classroom.