Journal #6

Podcasting can be used to post and distribute media (video & sound) files online. They are an effective way to enhance educational lessons by making the content more engaging for the students. They can also be easily accessed by students and convenient because they can view them on their own schedules. One of the main reasons that podcasts are a good teaching tool is because they are inexpensive and easy to use. Some of the devices that podcasts can be used on are MP3 players (ex: iPod), a pocket PC and cell phones. One of the most exciting things about podcasting is that many students already have technology to play them. Educators are now beginning to embrace this technology as a wonderful resource for teaching and learning. I found that the most recommended way of using podcasts (especially video) is using an inexpensive hosting company such as “HelloWorld” which offers more control over the content and contains no advertising in comparison to free hosting sites.

Examples of how podcasts can be used in education:
1. Class Lectures: A teacher can create a podcast with assignments and notes. Students and parents can download the podcasts to stay up to date on what is happening in class.
2. Critical Thinking lessons: teachers may list differing views than textbooks and offer students to reflect on the information through various podcasts.
3. Study Guides: Teachers can create a study guide compliation for exams accessible to their students from home.
4. Tools for teaching students with different learning styles. For example, student can have access to notes at home rather than trying to keep up with the class notes so they can focus on lesson being taught.
5. Assignments: Kids create a podcast about a topic to show what they've learned and share it with other classrooms.
6. Administrative: School administration can use podcasts for meetings and special events to increase community involvement in the among teachers and staff.
7. Virtual Fieldtrips: A class takes a virtual field trip through a podcast. Example: Boston Museum of Science exhibit podcasts.

On the Classroom 2.0 website I was able to find a lot of information regarding podcastings. One of the main things that I found was the collaboration of teachers who are able to share their resources with teachers who might be working on a similar lesson using podcasting. What better way to learn how to use the technology that to collaborate with a peer and share out the information with each other. In education, it seems resources for teachers are shrinking rapidly due to budget cuts and podcasting is not only inexpensive but it is an easy way to make up for the shortcomings of the lack of resources in education. I really admire teachers for finding niches like these to use in their classrooms in order to meet the needs of all of their students.

Journal #5

"Making Field Trips Podtastic!" by Aliece W. Weller, John C. Bickar and Paul McGuiness

This article explores the idea of using podcasts within the educational realm. One example cited in this article was the Harvard Graduate School of Education's exhibit at the Boston Museum of Science. This exhibit uses podcasting as a tool to teach students about science in a fun, interactive, and exploratory way. Interactive field trips like the one mentioned are being created to increase the amount of time and depth students can be engaged in the exhibits. In contrast to personal use of podcasting, museum exhibits based on podcasting actually increases interaction and collaboration of students on exhibits. Teachers who are interested in using podcasting in their classrooms don't necessarily need an MP3 player but they can also use a pocket PC. Other benefits of using a handheld PC is that students may also use it to take photos, video, record interviews, record notes in text or audio format, access information on the internet about topics thus student are able to customize their "learning experiences". Educators may also adhere to national and state standards with podcasting because they are able to create it themselves. Podcasting also does not require any additional software to purchase so teachers are able to use the already available resources found in schools. Although the podcasting field trip modules require additional time for educators to prepare, the virtual field trips will reduce their instruction time as well as increase their students engagement and understanding of the subject matter.

Before reading this article podcasting was something very unfamiliar to me. I am really starting to understand the potential of using podcasts in my classroom and I'm very excited for the opportunity to try. In comparison to traditional lecturing and textbook assignments podcasting really opens up the doors for students to learn on so many more levels. They are able to be in control of their own learning experience by see pictures, hear audio, and making testing their knowledge to open up the next module. In a way, it is very similar to how video games have captured the audience of our youth. Video games are interactive and challenging although podcasting offers a much more educational advantage! I was really amazed with the interactive modules created for the Boston Museum of Science and seeing how the students seemed to really enjoy their field trip and how excited they were to share their experiences with their friends. What a clever way to keep the educational ball rolling!

Questions
1. One of my questions is how can future educators learn about how to use podcasting in their classrooms? I researched a bit on the subject and there seems to be a lot of information out there about how to use podcasting in the classroom. I found a lot of good resources on the Apple website itself regarding how the iPod can be used in conjunction with education.

2. Are there case studies or examples of how educators can use podcasting in their classrooms? My question was based on the fact that I understand that using podcasts in the classroom are beneficial but I'm looking for actually examples and lessons that are shown to be effective in Middle School classrooms. I actually was able to find a few resources for science lesson plans and I'm starting to understand what ways my iPod can be used and how.

Journal #4

"Mind the Gap" by Cindy Long

The main point of this article was to bring up the issue that schools not only have achievement gaps but they also have technology gaps depending on if students have easy access to it or not. It cites several examples of how students who have easy access to technology are learning the skills that they need to go onto college. These students are "digital innovators" and have the opportunity to express themselves through various outlets using technology. On the other hand, the article also cites how students who have limited access to technology are falling behind in technology skills, thus less likely to graduate high school or consider college afterwards. The term used in the article is called the "participation gap" meaning that students with limited access to technology have fewer opportunities for them in the future. The article states that over 30 million Americans don't have a computer, which is most common in low-income and rural communities. The students of these households are falling behind in the future of technology but there are some examples cited that show promise. One of these examples such as Andrew Rasiej's NY program called mouse.org that teaches students from these low-income communities how to use and maintain computers in schools. Another example of success was teacher Brian Crosby's laptop program for his classroom. In a school where most of his students are "at risk" kids living below poverty level he focused on incorporating technology into classroom lessons. The result is that students are more likely to go to college. Other programs cited such as programs that offer low-cost broadband or free digital learning communities are all making a difference in the "participation gap".

I'm really beginning to see the importance of technology in the lives of students by reading articles like this. My thoughts on technology use before seemed like it was more of a luxury than a necessity for students but now I see what a struggle students have that don't have access to technology. I've never looked at how individuals who use cites such as YouTube and Podcasting as learning. Reading that 30 million Americans are without computers in their home astounds me! I see what a challenge this may be for teachers and for myself as a future educator to learn how make technology accessible to all of my students. Depending on the economic level of the students in classes, this may be more challenging, as they may have never learned the basics of computer use. I actually just did a classroom observation in a 5th grade classroom in Oceanside that really impressed me because of their use of technology. Like Brian Crosby's program, the school integrated laptops for all students and incorporated technology in a majority of the classroom lessons. I think that during the observation I didn't realize the importance of what the teacher was doing for all of the student in their classroom. But seeing that each student in the classroom might go home and not have the opportunities to learn on computers I now understand how important this is for the student's success later on.

Questions:
1. How could I integrate technology into my classroom? If the school I teach at supplies me with computers I would like to research programs or software that incorporate lessons from the classroom into an interactive learning experience. Sometimes you can find educational games that allow students to participate in their own learning process. This also breaks up the monotony of always lecturing students.

2. How can our government aid students that do not own computers or have Internet access at home? Like the BRAIN broadband program mentioned in this article, I believe that the government could offer reduced cost internet for students if they have computers at home or focus on having good computer labs in schools where students have access to computers and the internet for research and self-expression. If statistics show that students are more likely to go onto college if they have the technology skills needed later in life, we are only helping our country as a whole.