Podcasts

What: In class last week we learned about podcasts.  We learned that podcasts are only audio, not visual.  The assignment that was given was to create a PSA podcast.  My partner and I chose to make a recycling podcast.  

So What: During class we were given many definitions of what a podcast is and where it lives. Podcasts live on websites, itunes, youtube, mp3 players, news stations, dictionaires, etc.  Using podcasts are very useful because it helps get information across in a simple way...all you have to do is click "play" and there is the podcast.  This technology means to me that I can have my students pre-record things (before class) and then they can present their recordings in class. What this technology means to my colleagues is that if I ever were in need of a substitute I would be able to record myself prior to class with all the instructions and information needed for instructing the class.

Now What: Podcasts can be very beneficial for my future students.  For example, if we were learning about birds, students could make a recording with information about birds (about a minute or so), and then add the sound a bird makes.  That way other students would be able to understand which animal it actually is.  Another way a podcast would be helpful for future students would be if the teacher were to find a famous speech and have someone record themselves giving the speech.  In doing this, students would be able to hear the speech instead of just read it on a piece of paper.  Podcasts can be beneficial for teachers as well as for students.  One way a teacher can use podcasts while including teachers would be to record yourself (the teacher) for about a minute or so saying what you did that day in class.  This gives parents reassurance that the teacher really is doing his/her part.  An example of a podcast being used district-wide would be making a PSA about the swine flu and the precautions students and parents can take and then uploading it to the districts website.