Podcast Reflection #8: Creating an Educational Follow Me Project

Sarah Beeghley created a podcast called, "Creating an Educational Follow Me Project". She is a Seventh Grader in Pennsylvania. In 2009, she won 1st place at Pensylvania State Middle School Computer Fair in the Webpage Design Category and the Edublog Award for Best Student Blog.

A Follow Me Project is something you creat to share your adventures with the world via Web 2.0 technology. It supports the creation of traveling stuffed animals, similar to the "Flat Stanley" project. This project is not only for teachers, but students and families too. You can find more out more here.

Her project is titled, "Civil War Sallie". She has been to Andersonville Prison in Georgia; Clara Barton Home in Maryland; Richmond, Virginia; Ford's Theatre; and Bull's Run. Her brother's is named, "Patriot Pete" who teaches and learns more about patriotism and wants to visit the capitol of all 50 states.

To create your "Follow Me Project", you must first name your project. Then, you need to decide the purpose for your project, whether it's a specific or general topic. How and where is he/she going to travel. Are you going to keep it within your classroom, local, or global. You can go to any Build-A-Bear Workshop or go to their online website to get started. You can even try to get one donated and can use whatever animal you prefer.

You can also collaborate with others using Skype, iChat on a Mac, and/or Google Video. Using these you can connect with your teacher and others. Teachers can use it to promote student writing, enhance social studies and science lessons, and incorporate technology into the classroom. It also encourages group collaboration, creates unique opportunities for math and analyzing web traffic and statistics.

You need to make sure you maintain internet safety. This project protects your name because you create a random username for your project. Students learn to use Web 2.0 tools safely and it promotes digital citizenship. Other benefits include: improving writing and technology skills, connects your students with other students and teachers around the world, allows students to explore places they would not normally see, and teaches you about other issues such as copyright.