Podcast Reflection #7: The Heroic Journey Project

This was an amazing video podcast that I would recommend to all English teachers. It was presented by Kevin Hodgson and included examples from real students. It is a project that incorporates technology, English, and creativity which allows the students to have an imagination. I think this is especially important because it makes you feel like a young child again to do things like this. As we grow older we use our imagination less which is not as fun. The students begin the project by reading a version of the Odessy called Odessius. They will use the heroic journey as a plot for their project. Then they will read the book The Lightning Thief  and write about the adventure and the encounters. They students are to make 3 creatures that they will encounter on their way home and put them into the PicasaPhoto folder. Then, they will use Google Maps to show where they will go on their adventure or journey. When pinpointing the place on the map they will add a textbox with elements of their story and monsters. There will be a KML file that will allow visitors to follow your journey on Google Earth. After the projects are done they are saved on Google Sites for everyone to view and enjoy.

I think this is a great project for students and I believe they will really get into it because there is nothing more that students now days like better than using TECHNOLOGY! It is vitally important to use them in your classroom and projects like this will engage and encourage the students. I have listed the links to the Google Sites for the students Heroic Journeys and a tutorial on how to get this project done!

Google Sites- Heroic Journeys
Tutorial