Concept Map Vs Podcasting: Which Will Win Out

I don't know what it is but I am having a hard time coming up with a final project. The first idea I had was a project for my video Apps class that utilized concept maps.In short this project would last all year long and my students would have to keep a concept map that they would continue to add all concepts, techniques, shot types, camera moves and other information they learn. My thinking with this project is that my students would hopefully gain a better understanding of Video and be able to transferr their knowledge to any situation no matter what software or hardware they had to use.
The problem with this is my students already think they do to much work that is unneccessary like concept proposals and storyboards. As the teacher I know these things are neccessary and it is important that they do them but when your numbers are dropping in an area that is disposable it is important that I make this course a disirable course. Mind tools are suppose to keep the students interested but I really am having a hard time seeing my students enjoying this project.

My second project is with my CAD Class. This project would utilize podcast. For this project my students are required to create a new product or improve an already existing project. My students then draw there new product in CAD and create a prototype. They also need to talk about what material, the history of the product, and justify the reasoning behind why they create there product. I want my students to present their products and all the information they researched in a podcast. This would allow my students to show their ideas in a very visual way. It would also allow them to post their podcasts so other people who were not in the class would be able to see their projects.

I like this project a little more then my first idea, but I am having trouble showing how exactly podcasting is helping my students learn better.

As I research podcasting on the internet I came upon a Blog from a PH.D student. She wrote about how she was using blogging and gave some good links to educatoinal resources. One of the resources was a Power Point on Learn Casting: Taking Educactional Podcasting to the Next Level..
I think with resources like these I am going to go with podcasting as my final project. If I continue to research podcasting I think I will be able to suport how podcasting is helping my students learn. Personally I think podcasting is a more interesting project for me then concept mapping and I think my students will enjoy putting it together.

When did I become so outdated

As we finish the third class I will admit, these new technologies are taking me longer to pick up on then I thought they would. For some reason it took me a long time to see how I could use inspiration in my classes. I never thought I was out of date with technology. I'm a tech teacher, I teach technology. I should know this stuff. It is very humbling seeing how much technology is out there that I have not utilized in my classrooms.
Finally after thinking, and thinking, and thinking I started to come up with some ideas for incorporating new technology into my classroom. The more I thought about it the easier it got. I definitely have some misconceptions toward some of these new technologies that are keeping my classrooms from being the best they can be. My attitude toward blogging and twittering and face book has been negative. I saw them as the newest fad and didn't want to be associated with them. This class has started to open my eyes and let me see that I need to accept these new technologies, but not just accept them I need to use them in ways to engage my students. With this negative attitude it is a wonder I even have a TV in my house, but this class has really helped me open my eyes and let me see I am missing out not utilizing this new technologies.

Goals

As a teacher it is important that I create a more engaging environment for my students. During this class I would like to learn different ways to teach my students the same content that is usually taught in a traditional way. I want my students to become more interactive in my classes learning the content and not even know it. I don't want there to be dull moments in my class where I start to lose the students.