Thing # 8 Mashup or Mashpotatos???

         I had a great time exploring Mashups. I got lost in all the different ways I could manipulate information to make exactly what I wanted. A mashup is undoubtedly a unique way to present material. Some of the more in-depth mashup methods were a little intimidating, but I did poke around a bit to see what they were about. Having audio, video, graphics, and text all in one place is pretty snazzy. Interactive is surely the wave of the future. I, however, got my feet wet combining Flickr and Mosaic Maker to make a collage of photographs. Yes, I realize it is not as intricate as most mashups, but it seemed like something I could handle with the confidence that I currently have.

         Looking at all the possibilities of mashups, all I can say is, “Where was this when I did my 8^th grade Social Studies poster-presentation on Germany? Using Germany as an example, I could create an interactive mashup to bring my sad one-dimensional presentation to the next level. I could display a map of Germany on the Smart Board. Pushpins could be on the map to highlight the areas on which I would concentrate. I could click on the points to bring up pictures of that particular location, have video clips on the surrounding culture, and even audio selections of the inhabitants speaking in their native tongue. In one fell swoop, I could take the class on an unbelievable journey.

         Mashups are definitely applications that I will put in my arsenal of education tools (well, at least I will when I become more proficient). Mashups can be fantastic alternatives to one or two-dimensional education. They can help make a subject more interesting, captivate students’ attention, and stimulate deeper thinking.

         I can see so many student and teacher projects being produced using mashups. It enriches the topic being studied and allows for greater creativity. Teachers can use mashups to introduce all of the elements they will be covering in an upcoming unit; they can use mashups to study one specific issue at a more in-depth level; they can even use mashups to create review games for upcoming tests. Students can also take advantage of using mashups. They can be used for project presentations, for multi-level assignments, and for comprehensive portfolios to show off the work done throughout the year.

         Although mashups are a great way to enhance education, caution is definitely necessary. In order for it to be effective, teachers need to be proficient enough in using this technology to create meaningful lessons. It is one thing to jumble a bunch of technology together and show it to the class, but it is quite another to connect it in a significant way to generate a quality piece of teaching from which students can truly learn.

Credit to Flickr entries:

1. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/iborrego/5511196792/">Wailua Falls - Kauai, Hawaii</a>, 2. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/grantzprice/5000431161/">Hawaii 2010</a>, 3. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jblackpixs/5501206420/">Hawaii Orchid</a>, 4. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/62610543@N03/8188158990/">Hawaii --- Sea turtle (Oahu Island)</a>, 5. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobgcampbell/472710455/">Flowing Lava 1</a>, 6. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jglennmontano3/2980007567/">Dead End.    Lava flow over the road.</a>, 7. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterbug_girl/533111351/">Hula Dancer 9</a>, 8. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davegolden/4903841728/">Hula</a>, 9. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/konaboy/266752014/">Nene</a>