Podcasting

Podcasting is the most portable of the Web 2.0 applications since all you need is any mp3 player.  I personally download many podcasts to listen to while I jog or go the gym.  However, I had never created my own podcast and after reading some instructions I realized that it was quite easy. Since I have a PC, I had to download Audacity to be able to record my voice.  Also, I had to upload my podcast to a server and get an external link.   Although it was easy enough, I  didn't find this process that elegant, ie: multiple downloads, uploads, and conversions.  I looked at the apple.com website and saw that mac computers have an easier process to make podcasts - given that some school have macs instead of PCs students might find it incredibly convenient to make podcasts....


I chose to record myself reading a French composition I wrote.  I realized that it was great practice for myself but could also work as an assignment if the teacher had asked me to work on my pronunciation.  I don't think this qualifies as a "real" podcast since a podcast is a broadcast that is updated on a regular basis.

My first attempt - this is a bad example of a podcast uploading site - it is a link to the file which is on a page riddled with ads:

zSHARE - french podcast.wav

My second attempt -   This is a good example of a podcast uploading site.  The file has a mini media players and is user - friendly.  This sound file was uploaded to audioboo: 

Classroom Applications

As seen by the number of podcasts on iTunes U, many university and college professors regularly video/podcast their lectures.   These iTunesU podcasts provide models for Secondary school teachers who might want to podcast their lectures.  For example, while college professors might lecture for an hour for students who listen patiently, such a model will probably not work in the K-12 system.  However, there are many ways podcasts can complement Secondary  instruction, such as by providing additional support or enriching content.  In addition, giving students the opportunity to make a podcast teaches them important technological skills.  As explained in the website : Podcasting in the Classroom, the learning outcomes of making a podcast are :

Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.

Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.

Like most Web 2.0 applications, podcasts allow students to demonstrate their learning beyond the classroom walls.  Students can share their learning with their families as well as with the world, which provides motivation to learn since there is a real audience out there who can also comment on what they have heard.

Ideas for using Podcasts

All subject areas should be able to incorporate podcasting in their curriculum.  Here are just some of the ideas that I found or could think of, but I am sure there are many more.  This is just a sample: 

• Record lectures so that students won't miss content if they are absent.  Also good for repetition of content for students that need additional support.

• Download educational podcasts from BBC, CBC, PBS to supplement curriculum content (for free !)

• Listen to "primary sources" such as Winston Churchill or Martin Luther King at free sites such as Librivox.

•  Listen to foreign language podcasts for cultural enrichment or listening comprehension

• Record sections of books or textbooks for auditory learners or ESL students.

• Assignment ideas: Recording poems, book reviews, interviews, commentaries,  radio-skits. 

• Physical education : video podcasts of  visual demonstrations of movement skills. 

• Drama: record monologues and skits as podcasts to encourage dramatic use of the spoken voice.

• Allow students who define themselves as "non-writers" to submit their assignments as a podcast.  

I thought this Prezi was a good summary of the many advantages of podcasting:

Podcasting in Education on Prezi

Library Ideas

There is a wonderful resource specifically for librarians : Podcasting 101 for K-12 librarians. The article states that many librarians are currently accessing podcasts as sources of information. That is, podcasts meet the needs of students and teachers want to access information in a variety of formats.  Currently, accessing podcasts as sources of information is a challenge for the K-8 grades but maybe that will change in time. I think that of the educational podcasts available on iTunes U are not directed at the Secondary school , but they are an important source of supplementary information. 

Another point in the article is the need to the library to facilitate access to podcasts, for example in much the same way that the library website is an access point to websites and online databases.


Here are some ideas of how librarians promote podcasts:

• Link on the library website to booktalks by professional authors.

•  Produce your own book reviews as podcasts.  These can be accessed by teachers who are unable to come to the library to hear the booktalks "live." 

• Read-aloud - children's stories , serialized chapters.  Invite teachers in the school to read-aloud poems, chapters, Shakespeare and post them on the  library web-page. 

Booktalk Podcasts on iTunes:

Professional Learning

Podcasts can be listened to anytime. Now that I have a child, I need to think of ways to make productive use of my time. For example, I can easily listen to professional podcasts in my car during my commute. This will free up quality time both at home and at work.  There are an incredible amount of professional development podcasts available, both on iTunes, and by searching the Web.

Source: Teacher Created Materials Podcasts

Conclusion


Podcasts can be both an educational resource and a presentation tool. Librarians need to be aware of new podcasts that are relevant to the school curricula and actively promote these resources. In addition, we need to learn how to make podcasts in order to teach the technical skills needed to make the best use of this highly versatile and mobile tool.









References


Lamb, A., & Johnson, L. (2007). Podcasting in the school library, part 2: creating powerful Podcasts with your students. Teacher Librarian, 34(4), 61-64. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.