"Technology & Pedagogy"

            As I searched through the lesson plans poetry was on my mind. As I furthered my search I noticed the overwhelming opportunities to use Shakespeare. Using Shakespeare allows for poetry and drama to combine. I felt as though when thinking about acting out a play, or writing poetry the use of technological advances are forgotten. Yes this art form was created with little modern day technologies. This does not mean plays do not need modern day technology to engage directly with the students.

            The goals within this lesson were simple. The lesson was generated to allow the students to be able to decipher from a comedic and tragic performance. The lesson called for these students to be able to notice the different qualities that separated these two forms of plays. These curriculum goals were gapped by use of technology. The teacher was solely relying on the ability of the students to grab the text and act out the lines. Adding additional forms of the text would allow for these students to better understand how to fully engage each scene expected.

            As though Shakespeare wasn’t feared enough, these students could not be thrown into the lion’s den with little to rely on. You tube videos and clips of Hollywood movies were added in my revision. Showing clips of modern day actors will draw a common ground on this topic. The literacy needed to both act out, and listen to these scenes must be built. Using newer versions of the text on a screen allow for these students to engage in the text. In English class the text can be more than enough. For this activity it is obvious more is needed. Though the text should be bale to be fully understood by the students they need a comfortable starting point.

Anthony Saraceni's Spreadsheet