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.
6 comments:
I definitely think that these are an excellent tool for our classrooms. They could be useful when a student is absent, so that he/she could catch up on what they missed. I also like the idea of podcasts for field trips. My favorite idea is the way that we could collaborate and get great ideas from each other.
I had never heard of podcasting before this class-let alone used it as a teacher. You gave some great examples of how to use podcasts in the classroom. I didn't know students could even use thier cell phones & mp3 players to access podcasts. Thanks for the great info-podcasts don't sound so scary anymore!
wow vanessa. a thorough and clear review of podcasting. I agree that it's a great tool for educators. In fact I've told one my friends who is learning english and who wanted some english conversations to play about podcasts and he's found them to be a great resource
hey vanessa. great review very thorough. I directed one of my friends who is learning english and who wanted some english conversations to listen to in the car to podcasts and he has found them to be a great resource
Vanessa,
You gave a great definiton of podcasts. I also liked all the good examples of how podcasts can be used in the classroom. I agree with you that they can be useful especiaally with limited classroom resources.
- Maria
Great definition of podcasting. I also liked all the great examples you gave of how they can be used in the classroom. I agree with you that in a time of limited resources they are a great tool to use in the classroom.
- Maria
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