http://www.classroom20.com/forum/topics/649749:Topic:122802?id=649749%3ATopic%3A122802&page=1#
What is a Podcast?
A podcast is like a radio show that you download to your computer. Once on your computer, you can play podcasts directly or transfer them to an mp3 player, such as an iPod.
Podcasting is the process of creating an audio show of some sort available in MP3 format via an RSS 2.0 feed that supports enclosures. Podcasts are designed to include talk shows, tutorials, music, or other audio content.
Podcasts can cover any subject or genre of music and are available free. The difference is that with podcasting you can listen to shows from across the whole world, and, because you download them, you can listen whenever and wherever you want.
What makes podcasts really special is that they are grouped into channels (just like radio shows appear on a radio station's channel). It's easy to subscribe to podcast channels and once subscribed, your computer will begin automatically check back to see if new podcasts are available and download them for you if they are. No need to keep checking back to see if updates are available.
How have teachers used it as a teaching tool?
Using it as a lecture tool:
One teacher said he used podcasts to create video lectures that allowed students to review past lessons or as a replacement for in-class lecture. This allowed him more time for labs. Lecture replacements are accompanied by short online assessments created using Google Forms. This allows him to see what they learned from the lectures. The idea is to make the limited amount of face to face time more efficient.
Using it as a class study of the Titanic:
Another teacher used podcasts for a comprehensive class study of the Titanic. Students used a podcast to reflect the voices of passengers or crew members of the Titanic. They put their podcasts on the class website dedicated to this project.
Using it as a form of teaching a foreign language:
A Spanish teacher also used podcasts to help students learn the language. The students could go back and listen to the correct pronunciation as often as needed. They would also have to create their own Spanish podcasts for some of the lessons.
The beauty of it all is that you don't need an iPod to podcast. Anybody with a computer can listen to podcasts and subscribe to podcast channels!
There are tons of tutorials and websites like Gcast, iTunes, Yahoo Podcasts and Garageband that provide free podcast accounts and channels.
Posts
It definitely sounds as though using podcasts in the classroom can help teachers supplement their lessons in creative ways. I never really thought about posting past lesson material on a podcast, but it seems like a good way to reinforce lecture material prior to starting a new topic.
ReplyDeletePodcasts sound like they can be a great tool to supplement education. I love the way teachers have used podcasts to reiterate lessons. Having a podcast in Spanish would be most beneficial to Spanish language learners. A student could listen to the podcast and practice learning the language. English language learners could also benefit from additional exposure to the English language through repeated viewing of podcasts of the fundamentals of the English language. Their families could benefit too! Podcasts would also be useful for students who missed class due to illness. They could simply watch the podcast of their teacher's lecture for that day (middle school & high school) to get the material they missed. If a student doesn't understand the math lesson, they could also watch the podcast for the day to review the material. Of course there is no interaction with the teacher in a podcast, so podcasts would not be a substitute for being physically present in the classroom. They don't allow for the posing of questions regarding material that is not understood.
ReplyDeleteAlright. It's official. No more excuses for not getting assignments/notes when absent!! Not when your teacher posts a podcast of the class. That. Is. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great idea for all teachers to use. Students who are absent would have the lectures and assignments at their finger tips. Also you could play lectures from other teachers who might know more or have a great presentation.
ReplyDeleteHi Yvette,
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your journal. Using a Podcast for teaching math could help keep the interest up by breaking up a dry lesson; even if the podcast is off topic...nothing like a good joke to loosen things up.
Good Job! I was confused about what a podcast was until I read your review. Thanks!
ReplyDelete