Podcasting

So, here is the truth…I know little about podcasting. I have become very knowledgeable about finding and listening to podcasts but know little about creating one. The very idea of creating something like Radio WilloWeb is extremely exciting. The students creating podcasts on Radio WilloWeb had spectacular oral communication skills. In order for podcasting to be productive for students and an effective teaching tool, there must be a great deal of planning and organization on the teacher’s part. Along with oral communication, the students learn about the writing process and how to edit to provide greater detail in the information being shared with others.

As the media specialist, I would refer the teacher to Podcasting 101, an excellent resource for beginning podcasters. This outlines what a podcast is, how to access them, and how to create a podcast. Also, I, as the media specialist, would take advantage of ways to incorporate podcasts into the media center. This would allow the teacher and me to learn about effective ways to use the podcasts in all areas. Another resource for the teacher would be the School Computing Wiki-Podcasting section (http://schoolcomputing.wikia.com/wiki/Podcasts). This outlines the rationale of podcasting and one of the most important to me “increased student motivation”. Student motivation is the driving force behind successful students. So, if the students are feeling empowered and successful then they will typically learn more.

Podcasting could potentially lead to highly effective and useful media centers. The media specialist could create mini-lessons on using various resources including reference books, finding non-fiction and fiction books, looking up resources in OPAC, etc. Podcasts could also be recorded for the news room or even planned for a class in case of an absence. Podcasts could also be useful for the teachers to learn new software or programs the media specialist may find beneficial. Planning staff-development that incorporated podcasts for the teachers to refer to once they return to the classroom. Let’s be honest few teachers pay attention in an afternoon training session on new software or equipment. The podcasts would allow the teacher to access the podcast on his/her own time to learn and practice the new software or equipment.

Schedule

Jeri-Lyn will blog about--
video distribution
social networking
technology training
ebooks and digital storytelling

Emily will blog about--
wikis--March 8
social networking & media center
ebooks and digital storytelling
technology, diversity, and the media center

Andrea will blog about--
podcasting--March 1
media center web pages
school tv news
technology training