Podcasting
Have you ever used Podcasting to share information? Have you ever created a Podcast with students in a classroom or media center? If the answer is no then it is definitely an option to consider. This basic but effective way to communicate can be started with little to no equipment or training and the results can be quite memorable. What is Podcasting exactly? In short, it is simply recording an audio file and sharing it with someone. The term Podcast originated from the words iPod and broadcast, but there is no need to worry if you do not own an iPod, iPhone, or iPad; Podcasts can be shared in many more ways than with the technologies provided by Apple. To create a Podcast, first there must be some software and equipment. To begin, a recorder would need to download the free Audacity software and have access to a headset or microphone for the best results. Next, the author can record the audio, and it can then be layered with music or sound effects as needed. After the sound is finalized, the recording can be shared through a variety of methods which include: uploading them to a website, downloading them to an mp3 file, or even burning them to a cd. The process can be completed in just a few steps and the author walks away feeling accomplished and proud of his or her work.
Why would media specialists want to use Podcasting in the media center and why would it be valuable to share this method of communication with students and classroom teachers? Podcasts are another way for students to show what they have learned. They can record information from their content classes and share with teachers, peers, and parents. Schools might want to consider using Podcasts for a “School News” broadcast that could be accessed from the school’s webpage. Recording and sharing information in this fashion will allow those students who stay away from the limelight to have a voice at school. Another great use for Podcasting is to encourage struggling writers to get their ideas down on paper. I currently have a student who cannot get those first sentences started when writing a paragraph or essay. With the Podcast, students can simply speak freely and not have to worry about grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Making teachers aware of the Podcast option will give them a new method for assessing student learning and that will be greatly appreciated. Check out Radio Willow Web from Willowdale Elementary School. They have several Podcast recordings ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade. The recordings are generally around ten minutes long and they demonstrate student mastery of concepts being taught in school. The students also share where they found their information and add in music to give the Podcasts a very professional, newscast feel.
Media specialists might also want to consider using Podcasts for book talks. As new books are added to the collection or teachers request that student read from particular genres, media specialists can record Podcast book talks to promote these titles and upload to the media center webpage. Students and teachers could listen to them in class or from home in preparation of selecting books and materials during an upcoming library visit. To hear some examples of book talk Podcasts, check out Nancy Keane’s Booktalks, Quick and Simple. She does a great job of grabbing the listener’s attention with a catchy hook, providing a brief summary of the title, and giving the author, publisher, and copyright date information all in about a minute. To create a library of book talk Podcasts as she has done would be immensely useful.
Remember, if you are just attempting a Podcast for the first time, you do not need all the bells and whistles all at once. Just go for the audio first and the rest will come in time. The students will love sharing their ideas and hearing their thoughts come to life.
Jennifer, I had a fear anytime I saw the word Pod because I automatically made an Apple connection and I don’t own any Apple products. I also have a fear of hearing myself recorded, but after playing around with the Audacity software I am gaining my confidence a little. To answer your first question I have used Podcast to create an assignment for this course and I was so scared. As far creating a Podcast for my classroom I think it is in the future I am nervous about new technology because I am learning how to use it myself and I want to be sure I am presenting the information correctly I am in the need of more practice and thinking outside the box. After viewing the Willowdale Elementary Schools website I know I need to progress into the norm. I do feel teachers need to be aware of Podcast and the many ways content can be delivered by using this method of learning and integrating technology into the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI also understand some may feel no training is need when introducing new software and I happen to not agree. So many people not only teachers but students have a hidden fear of technology when they don’t have excess to technology quite often as others. It’s almost like going to a workshop one of you peers have been sent to training on and you have not. You want to know as much as the person training you knows. You start to ask and wonder why were we not trained at the same time like the trainer was trained. With technology you want to feel confident in what you are learning and presenting. Human error is such a huge fear when technology is concerned. Podcast is simple and easy to use once you play around with the software, most students would love to hear themselves presenting to the class knowing they know exactly with is expected of them after they have been trained on how to use the software properly. I am so open to using Podcast and I wish my school would use this as to promote activities going on around school and in the classrooms. What a way to allow our tech savvy student to participate in the school activities because most of them are not into sports or other extracurricular activities.
What great insight to say that podcasts allow students who stay away from the limelight to have a voice in the class. That is so true! Growing up, I think it is safe to say that just about every one of my report cards included the comment "needs to participate in class discussions". So, I can definitely relate. In fact, that is one of the aspects of our online degree that I enjoy the most. I am much more likely to share my thoughts via my computer than I ever would be in person. The best part is that I can revise my thoughts before publishing them, whether they be typed or spoken. I will never forget one of my first college classes back in 1982. I was sitting near the back of the room, and was asked a direct question by the teacher. When I answered, it felt like the whole class turned around to look at me. Maybe it was because of my Rhode Island accent, but, boy, that did not encourage me to speak up in class! I would have loved the option of recording my thoughts as a podcast. Unfortunately, that was in the dark ages, and I had not even used a computer at that point. Scary!
ReplyDeleteI also love your idea of using podcasts with reluctant writers. That would have been such a bonus in my elementary classroom with all of the students, not just the reluctant ones. While most of my students had plenty to say, they usually could not get their hands to works as fast as their brains, and would get very frustrated. How awesome it would have been to let them record a podcast, then go back and pause it while they put pencil to paper; even if it was only a few words at a time! It almost makes me want to go back to the classroom...but no, I think I will try my hand at being a school media specialist, and just getting the word about podcasts into the hands of the teachers!
I love your ideas of using a podcast as a tool to help struggling writers. This may be just what a student needs to structure and compose their thoughts before organizing them in written form. Book talks are another great idea. They could be created by students and other staff members and shared on the morning broadcast. Students love to see and hear other students on the screen instead of the teacher. This is a great way to create excitement and promote literacy. Another way a podcast can be used in the media center is to make a series for the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl team. They could be made by team members, parent volunteers, and staff sponsors. When a team member makes a podcast to share with other members it will help to reinforce the information in a way that may give an edge to winning the competition.
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