The Podcast is a digital video with unlimited capabilities for students and teachers alike. The Media Specialist and the Media Center are the hub of both technology and learning for school. To promote and enhance instruction, the Media Specialist now has Podcast-ability to share with teachers.
Historically . . .
Without the Internet, Podcasting would not be possible. The Internet has been moving at "light speed" since the 1990s. The increased use of technology gives the average user a wealth of information at their fingertips. Developing a Podcast evolved from the use of Blogging. Blogging gives the Internet user the ability to comment and share information at will. Users are able to become "experts" at the click of a mouse and upload of a video. (Van Orden, 2011).
Very little equipment is required for creating a Podcast. The Media Specialist might use a laptop computer, microphone, and small camera (if the laptop does not have one installed). Most Media Center's are equipped with the basics needed to create a Podcast. Starting off slow and building to a professional or comfortable level is suggested by most experts in the field. Media Specialists should think of these four key areas when creating a Podcast with or for teachers: Plan, Produce, Publish and Promote. (Van Orden, 2008).
Planning is the most important part of the instructional task. Without a masterful plan, the product will not turn out as expected. One key aspect of being a Media Specialist is having the ability to work with teams of teachers to create instructional blogs and/or Podcasts to facilitate instruction in the classroom. Meeting, for example, with the science teachers to discuss a particular domain students find difficult to grasp, gives the Media Specialist a direction in which to go when preparing a Podcast. Working closely with teaching teams, the Media Specialist can have a huge impact on student success and achievement in the classroom.
Another area in which a Media Specialist can have impact with student achievement is working with the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) student. Practicing with a Podcast and having the ability through the use of technology to "repeat" instruction, will most certainly assist these students who know only struggle with the language, but learning because of the language barrier.
As the Center for Learning becomes more involved in classroom instruction through the use of technology, the value of the Media Specialist will increase throughout the educational system of the state and on a national level. Using Podcasts is not only an advantage for the teachers and students, but for the Media Specialist as well.
ESOL/Title III. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_iap_esol.aspx
Van Orden, J. (2008-2011). The history of podcasting. Retrieved from http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/history-of-podcasting.htm
Linda,
ReplyDeleteI like that you said the media center should be the hub of the school. It was also important when you explained that very little equipment is necessary. We used a little Flip camera for our students and it was great. It was amazing to me that my 3rd graders were masters at podcasts. I will use the Plan, Prodce, Publish, & Promote idea with my teachers now.
Thanks for the ideas.
Leigh Anne
Linda,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great post! I really liked the four p’s of podcasting: plan, produce, publish, and promote. These steps are a great suggestion for any process, not just podcasting. And, especially in middle and high school, if we are teaching the students the process of the four p’s, we could certainly encourage them to incorporate these skills into other areas of their lives.
I also loved the suggestion to use podcasts with ELL/ESOL students. You made a great point that these students may require repetition to fully attain new knowledge. It certainly would benefit them to have the option to replay any parts they needed. Not only the ELL/ESOL students, but ANY student that requires more practice.
Thanks for the great ideas!