In case you haven’t noticed, there have been just a couple of changes happening with technology in the past 5 years. Any of these words sound familiar: blog, wiki, social networking, RSS feed, podcasting? I feel like I am living on a strange planet. When did all of these things happen? What does it all mean? I have to integrate this into my classroom? NOW? I was working on my undergraduate degree just 4 years ago and not once was one of these things mentioned! I think I have must have missed this lesson in the graduation/wedding/first job/baby madness. Slowly and painfully, I have reemerged myself into the 21st century world of education. And you know what? It’s really not so bad. In fact, it’s pretty great.
One of these new, fantastic technologies is called podcasting. The word podcast is a combination of the words “iPod” and “broadcast”. In its simplest terms, a podcast is an audio file that you record on the computer and later share with others. I tell my kids it’s like a creating a radio show and sharing it with anyone you want. It’s one of the simplest technologies to have emerged and is one of the most useful when it comes to education. Students are excited to use the technology and don’t realize that as they are creating their podcasts, they are learning! They are learning ways to research, write, develop new vocabulary, speak effectively, manage time, and grab their listeners’ attention. What a great tool! Podcasts can also be used to differentiate learning for auditory learners, appealing especially to students who need remediation or extended support.
Podcasting is inexpensive and easy. A headset with microphone plugs into the computer and using free or inexpensive software you can record and layer tracks with music and sound effects. The finished product can be uploaded to web spaces, blogs, burned to CD’s, emailed to parents and friends, downloaded to an mp3 player, or fed into iTunes.
Podcasts are valuable to school libraries because it gives them the capability to retrieve and send out information. Media specialists can subscribe to feeds to support curricular needs or get news for current research. They can support teachers by creating their own podcasts, developing student interest, and then helping teachers to create their own podcasts. They can be used for professional development or to create tutorials for teachers. Podcasts can be used to promote the library by telling about reading and book promotions as well as library news. Student podcasts could include interviews, dramatization of students’ writing, readings of book passages, or sharing of school news. How exciting to be able to broadcast your learning for all the world to hear!
If you’ve never tried podcasting before, start small with an easy project. You will be amazed at the ideas that will surface and will be absolutely blown away by the quality of the student work. I hope that you will soon be as sold out to podcasting as I am now.
One of these new, fantastic technologies is called podcasting. The word podcast is a combination of the words “iPod” and “broadcast”. In its simplest terms, a podcast is an audio file that you record on the computer and later share with others. I tell my kids it’s like a creating a radio show and sharing it with anyone you want. It’s one of the simplest technologies to have emerged and is one of the most useful when it comes to education. Students are excited to use the technology and don’t realize that as they are creating their podcasts, they are learning! They are learning ways to research, write, develop new vocabulary, speak effectively, manage time, and grab their listeners’ attention. What a great tool! Podcasts can also be used to differentiate learning for auditory learners, appealing especially to students who need remediation or extended support.
Podcasting is inexpensive and easy. A headset with microphone plugs into the computer and using free or inexpensive software you can record and layer tracks with music and sound effects. The finished product can be uploaded to web spaces, blogs, burned to CD’s, emailed to parents and friends, downloaded to an mp3 player, or fed into iTunes.
Podcasts are valuable to school libraries because it gives them the capability to retrieve and send out information. Media specialists can subscribe to feeds to support curricular needs or get news for current research. They can support teachers by creating their own podcasts, developing student interest, and then helping teachers to create their own podcasts. They can be used for professional development or to create tutorials for teachers. Podcasts can be used to promote the library by telling about reading and book promotions as well as library news. Student podcasts could include interviews, dramatization of students’ writing, readings of book passages, or sharing of school news. How exciting to be able to broadcast your learning for all the world to hear!
If you’ve never tried podcasting before, start small with an easy project. You will be amazed at the ideas that will surface and will be absolutely blown away by the quality of the student work. I hope that you will soon be as sold out to podcasting as I am now.
The use of a Podcast has endless possibilities. The process of preparing a Podcast is rather painless and is open to all who have the Internet. Your comments and preparation of Podcast blog copy was well done and easy to follow. I appreciate the time you took in searching for historic information as well as giving the reader a "how-to" approach to finishing the project.
ReplyDeleteAlong with instruction, there is always a part of the user that should be mindful of who sees the Podcast. If the individual publishing a Podcast is a student, the instructor (teacher) should remind students safety tips for publishing. Tips include not using their full name and giving personal information to potential users through the Podcast. Beginners and seasoned users should always be careful when publishing to the World Wide Web.
Great job Virginia -- I totally enjoyed your post!!