Student Work on the Internet

The kids at PS22 are amazing at what they do. Their songs are so touching and heartfelt it is unbelievable. Many adults cannot comprehend singing with passion, but they do. After watching their video Landslide I realized one the driving forces behind the different formats of posting student work on the internet is pride. Now, I don't mean a cocky kind of pride, but the kind where the students can be proud of the work they have accomplished in the classroom. The students at PS 22 are motivated by their YouTube videos. They gained a huge following from it and that encouraged them to try harder and harder to succeed.


There have been other groups I have seen this semester that have been motivated by placing what they learned on the internet. The Dear Kaia photo essay was a prime example. Going out and taking all those pictures was a learning experience in itself, but putting it on the internet allowed for Kaia to share her wonderful experience. The tremendous response afterward had to be an amazing experience for her. it encouraged her to know that what she has to say is valid and that you are never too young to impact others.


Also, there was Eagels' Nest Radio. It was a group of third graders who created podcasts to share what they had been learning in class with the world. In this case what they had learned about was Julius Caesar. It was an extremely creative podcast and it also showcased the vast amount of knowledge they had gained on the subject. The podcasts they made and responses these children receive help to create an environment where learning is cool and fun.