Technology Expert Module: Podcasting in Language Arts
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Inside Collection (Textbook): A brave new digi-world and Caribbean Literacy : a search for solutions
Summary: Some examples of what a podcast is and its uses in the Language Arts classroom.
Technology Expert Module: Podcasting in Language Arts
The word podcast is a play on the word broadcast combined with the word iPod, says Jason Van Orden at http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/what-is-a-podcast.htm
Wikipedia gives a much more extensive definition as follows:
A podcast is a series of digital mediafiles (either audio or video) that are released episodically and downloaded through web syndication. The mode of delivery is what differentiates podcasts from other ways of accessing media files over the Internet, such as simple download or streamedwebcasts: special clientsoftware applications known as podcatchers (like iTunes, Zune, Juice, and Winamp) are used to automatically identify and download new files in the series when they are released by accessing a centrally-maintained web feed that lists all files associated with the series. New files can thus be downloaded automatically by the podcatcher and stored locally on the user's computer or other device for offline use, giving simpler access to episodic content.
Podcasts can be and are about just about anything and everything. One of my favorite sites, and certainly a possible source for educational materials is at http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast/podcast_directory.php
The Education Podcast Network http://epnweb.org/ has many student and teacher created podcasts from all grade levels and subject matters to peruse.
i- tunes http://www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts/ has a vast array of podcasts to download, but of course you need to have downloaded i-tunes onto your computer first. These are all places to download podcasts that have already been created. However, creating your own podcast requires more work.
With the most basic of equipment, and software that is mostly free, you or your students can begin podcasting rather quickly. It helps to know where to begin.
There are several different options with which to begin creating a podcast. Sites such as http://www.audacity.sourceforge.net/ have free, open source software that anyone can use to record, download, and alter audio files, including MP3 and WAV. With audacity, you can not only create new audio files, you can import pre-existing files and edit, splice, and add effects to make your podcast more interesting or individualized. Audacity is a type of freeware: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeware
Once audacity has been downloaded, there are few simple steps to follow to create a podcast. Audacity has its own wiki site, at: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/index.php?title=Tutorials
The wiki has detailed tutorials on just about anything you can do with audacity.
Jason Van Orden gives a detailed explanation of what a podcast is and exactly how to create one, and host one, and even find listeners at http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/21-podcast-hosting.htm
Mr. Byrne gives his take on the best podcasting services for educational purposes at:
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2009/07/5-resources-for-creating-and-hosting.html
Where Do I Do with My Completed Podcasts?
Once you have created the podcast, you can use a free blogger site like Google blogger www.blogger.com to host your podcast. Blogger is free, but there are other sites where you can pay to have your podcasted hosted and stored.
Another free place to begin the podcasting process is http://mypodcast.com/signup.html. Simply name your podcast, fill in a few simple details such as name and e-mail, and one can begin podcasting rather quickly.
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Classrooms in All Grade Levels and Subject Areas have created a wide array of podcasts. Many of which can be found at the site I had mentioned earlier http://epn.org
Examples of Podcasts:
This particular podcast could also be used in middle and high school classes that are studying the same texts. The podcasts could serve as a hook to get students interested in the text, or as an example of how college students summarizations are different than a middle school student’s.
Other episodes can be reached at : http://epnweb.org/index.php?request_id=1131&openpod=4#anchor4
“Discovering Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Literature.”
http://epnweb.org/index.php?request_id=2650&openpod=4#anchor4
Here, another teacher creates his own podcast to instruct students in all sorts of things, including, in one case, coordinating and subordinate conjunctions. Although the material is rather dull, the teacher makes attempts to use humor and movie clips to appeal to students. For instance, the voice that introduces the podcast sounds like a high-brow British professor, although the teacher himself has no such accent. He uses an audio clip of star wars to illustrate independent clause usage. The podcast is certainly informative.
The teacher also elaborates on students’ in class assignments in some podcasts.
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A great example of the kinds of podcasts that Language Arts students are capable of creating. Students capture the macabre element of Poe’s works very well.
http://svemedia.podomatic.com/player/web/2008-03-11T04_40_34-07_00
Definitely check this out:
http://heatherchad.podOmatic.com/entry/2007-10-03T18_45_14-07_00
As you can see, Mrs. Sanders uses the site podomatic.com to host her podcast.
1. The potential uses of podcasts are limited only by you and your students’ imaginations.
2. Podcasts can be simply downloaded and used as educational supplements, or they can serve as a whole class or small group project.
3. A student could make a podcast about their favorite book, or they could act out a scene from their favorite play. Teachers can create podcasts on their own for use in the classroom, or for students to use while at home.
4. Podcasting is relatively easy, and, except for the few pieces of equipment necessary, nearly free.
5. Podcasting is an easy way to incorporate cross-curriculum instruction. History classes can tell a story from the perspective of Benjamin Franklin, or English classes could explore the 19th century society of Huck Finn.
1. A lack of time, on the part of both teachers and students is probably the biggest usage constraint. Learning the basics how to’s of podcasting may consume a whole class period. In a school environment increasingly obsessed with standards, if may be difficult to justify the class time that podcasting requires.
2. Teacher created podcasts also consume time, and time is certainly precious in the teaching profession.
3. Before publishing student podcasts, a teacher would need to be sure that nothing inappropriate was being published.
4. Not all schools or classes have access to even the most basic computing equipment necessary to make a podcasts.
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As a teacher of any subject and any grade level, you are capable of producing podcasts or having your students produce one.
A podcast can serve many functions: a class project, a group or individual project, an educational supplement, a place to share your interests in your subject area, a way to allow your student’s work to reach a larger audience, and a way to allow student’s creativity to thrive.
Certainly, an activity such as this can help students who do not learn well through lectures or other traditional class activities.
Some students prefer a more hands on approach to learning, and podcasting fulfills that requirement. It also allows student to learn collobarative skills that will serve them will in other classes and in college.
You will need detailed explanations to students before you begin a podcasting project.
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This work is licensed by Matthew Ebersole under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY 3.0), and is an Open Educational Resource.
Last edited by Matthew Ebersole on Oct 1, 2009 12:21 pm -0500.
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