My Experience
My first experience with
podcasts was when I got my first iPod. I noticed that I could subscribe to
these things called “podcasts” and so I thought I would try it out. The problem
was that I never remembered to go back and listen to them. They would pile up
in my library, but I would forget they were there. I preparation for my Blog, I
went back and looking through my podcast subscriptions. My favorite is The Gilmore Girls podcast that I found,
which was recorded after episode of this popular show. I enjoyed going back and
listening to the discussions. Until I started these courses at UWG, I never
actually thought about using podcasts in the classroom. However, the ideas I
have researched are really great for engaging students in the learning environment
and creating a product that is rich in reflection.
What Is a Podcast?
The
simplest definition I found is that a podcast is series of audio files distributed
over the Internet by syndication, usually in the MP3 format. These files are
available for download on a computer or other technology devices.
How to Get Started
I think that most teachers would love to create lessons that use podcasting; however, there is a fear of the unknown mixed with a perceived lack of resources. What do teachers need for podcasting? This article I found outlines what equipment is needed in a clear and concise way. By showing teachers how easy it is to use this equipment, they can feel more at ease. There are also some great You Tube videos that discuss using podcasts in a classroom setting. One specific video is a great tutorial to show teachers who are think they can't incorporate this technology into their lessons. Also, the website Podcasting 101 shows how to use podcasting in just five easy steps.
I think that most teachers would love to create lessons that use podcasting; however, there is a fear of the unknown mixed with a perceived lack of resources. What do teachers need for podcasting? This article I found outlines what equipment is needed in a clear and concise way. By showing teachers how easy it is to use this equipment, they can feel more at ease. There are also some great You Tube videos that discuss using podcasts in a classroom setting. One specific video is a great tutorial to show teachers who are think they can't incorporate this technology into their lessons. Also, the website Podcasting 101 shows how to use podcasting in just five easy steps.
Ideas for Classroom Use
Once you start researching
ways to use podcasting in the classroom, you will realize that the sky is truly
the limit. A few really neat ideas that I found were using podcasts to leave
plans for a substitute. I know that when I was in the classroom, I hated having
to write out sub plans. Think about being able to record your own voice and
adding a quick video to make the sub feel really comfortable with your plans,
your classroom, and your students. I know that would have made me feel much better
about being away from my classes. Also, podcasts can be used to update students
who are absent. You can upload a podcast to a website so that student can have
access to their missed lessons 24/7.
Another great idea for using
podcasts is virtual field trips. I often remember trying to explain
Stratford-Upon-Avon to my students when we discussed Shakespeare. I would bring
in pictures of my trip, but having them watch a podcast prior to the class
would be a great foundational assignment for the lesson. With so many video
resources available, a teacher could produce an engaging podcast for students
to view and the student could almost feel like they really visited the distant
location themselves.
Most of the ideas above are
centered around the teacher creating the podcast, but the students can be the
ones to produce them, as well. Here are some ideas:
- Interviews: Students can talk to people who use science in their jobs.
- History: ”This day in science history.”
- Podcast drama: A recorded version of a classroom skit.
- Pet podcast: Give kids a chance to talk about biology and nutrition using observations of their pets
- Outdoor observations: Use cell phones or a portable recorder to note observations during urban science walks.
A
website that offers some really creative examples such as Book Talks and Art Critiques makes podcasting sound easy...and it is!
Why Use Podcasting?
Students
are so comfortable using technology and having them create podcasts would allow them to show off their
technology skills. When students feel successful, classroom engagment increases. Teachers
from many different grade levels have commented that there is a rise in
attendance when using podcasts in their classroom. By just listening to the examples from Radio Willoweb, you can see that
students can create some outstanding products with this technology. Follow this link to hear more about podcasting in the classroom and why teachers should use them.
Podcasting Examples
While not all of the following are specifically for classroom use, they are some good examples of podcasts available on the web. I personally subscribe to Grammar Girl myself!
While not all of the following are specifically for classroom use, they are some good examples of podcasts available on the web. I personally subscribe to Grammar Girl myself!
Media Specialist Role
What is the role of a media specialist when it comes to podcasting? What can we do with podcasts? Again... the sky is the
limit. A great website on what we can do to support the use of podcasting in
classrooms, as well as how we can use podcasts in our media centers is Rise of the Pod People. This website looks to like class wiki like we have for our UWG courses, but
the creator certainly has taken some time to gather an extensive amount of information
on the topic.
Final Thoughts
I am meeting with a group on
Monday afternoon at my school to talk about how we can increase the use of
technology throughout the school. We were tasked with bringing one form of
technology to discuss at the meeting. We were told to bring the technology that we want to "teach" to the faculty. I plan on taking the concept of using
Weeblys in the classroom, but I want to “teach” Weeblys using podcasts! I think
that having podcasts available to teachers to listen to and watch at their own
leisure would increase the use of podcasts in our school, which would hopefully
increase the level of student engagement overall! I will report back later on the
results!
Wendi,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you how technology can be intimidating. Having not had much technology training in my undergraduate or even in my Masters classes, it was not until I went back to school to get my Specialist degree that I became acquainted with so many new technologies. Now just a few years after obtaining my Specialist degree here I am learning so many more uses for technology in all grade levels. I really feel many teachers are in the same boat feeling intimidated. With so many new standards and curriculums and demands on teachers today, many are just struggling to "keep up" with the pace. New teachers are more familiar and much less intimidated with integrating technology. If we, as media specialists, can ease the tension and help bridge the gap by using podcasts to not only help teachers understand new technologies but also show how the use of podcasts can help lighten their load with teaching. Podcasts could easily be made and sent out to parents and students to help with project directions and clarifications. It could also be used to help explain expectations of the year and map out what will happen throughout the year. This tool would be a great way to reinforce or review standards before tests or to conclude a unit.
Good luck presenting your technology ideas, I think you have a great idea.
First of all, I love "Gilmore Girls" and had no idea podcasts for the show existed! So thanks for that bit of information! I have used podcasts in the classroom, but mostly ones I have created. What a waste! The students should be creating them! Thank you for all the links to the various sites and videos you provided. Of course, I had to check out the "Naked Scientists" - who wouldn't right? Many of the teachers at my school are intimidated by using this type of technology. I plan on sending out a link to this blog to all the teachers in my school (I guess this is ok?). I think presenting Weeblys through a podcast is an excellent idea. You will actually be bringing TWO forms of technology to the table. Best of luck!!
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