Podcasting 101 - Give your students a voice!

I have come so far. Until very recently, Podcasts were just something I listened to when on long road trips with my family. We have our favorites, “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” and “Prairie Home Companion.” I always thought they were something that anyone, more technically savvy than I, could do. Additionally, thinking the word “pod” made them only available as a download to an iPod™, I never considered that they could be played on a computer.

I am transformed. After listening to the podcasts available on Radio WillowWeb (I am simply amazed at the Winter Olympics podcast I heard!), at the Beverly Media Center site, and reading what Kristin Fontichiaro has to say about them, I can say I am truly a convert. At my present school, we do not do podcasts at all. In fact, many times I feel that my district is behind the times in what they teach their students concerning technology. Several media specialists that I know, when asked what kind of technology they teach, simply answer, “Whatever the class room teacher wants me to teach.” This is not the best answer. In order to compete nationally and globally, our students will need to be on the leading edge of technology, not bringing up the rear.

I am motivated. What do we do in our schools to initiate, or advance, the use of podcasts? First and foremost, we need to show teachers that they are easy to create. When teachers ask me if we can accomplish something, I (almost) always say yes. Then, I figure out how to do it. With podcasts, I am at an advantage in that I somewhat understand how to make them. My school has access to all the resources needed to make them, yet we do nothing. Promoting their use is a first important action. Listed below are some ideas for their use:

• Students can use them to increase fluency in reading with our reading teacher. If students make a podcast in the media center, the reading teacher could listen to more each day instead of spending much of her time walking around the school to get students.
• In upper elementary, we have an Ellis Island simulation each year. Currently, students do a heritage project learning about their ancestors. Interviewing their “ancestors” to share with classmates can be possible through the use of a podcast.
• Foreign language teachers, in middle and high school, could make a podcast for student verbal testing, and have students record their answers within.
• Language arts students could write and recite poetry for each other. As middle school students are sometimes reluctant to share their work, this would be a less scary alternative to standing in front of the class.
• High school students could share podcasts with students in other countries. Language practice is one idea, as well as sharing of social and educational norms.

How do we get teachers on board? Ideally, I would give them homework and a time to meet with me to discuss how to get started. Homework would be to do the website readings listed above, make a short podcast (or vodcast), and list any questions they may have. While the teacher is working on this, I would be doing the same. Obviously, I would make myself available for help whenever needed, and would fully support their use. I truthfully believe that once a teacher sees how easy they are, the possibilities are endless. This is a resource that is quick to learn, easy to use, fun and enhances our students’ capabilities. Learning together is an optimal idea and one that I fully support. Technology augments our students’ passion for life-long learning. Isn’t that what we all want?

Let’s get started!

submitted by Sarah Dupuis