After reading and reviewing all the resources on podcasting, I began to think of ways to utilize such a creative and fun technology in the media center. As a subscriber and listener to podcasts, I must admit that I never really thought about how simple the process is and that it doesn't take all the fancy or expensive equipment that I thought it might. After reading Kristen Fontichiaro's short piece "Podcasting 101" and experimenting a bit more with Audacity, I started thinking of all the different and interesting ways podcasting could be used in the media center. Utilizing podcasting as a tool in the media center is a great way to reach students of all different learning styles, interests, and skill levels.
After listening to Nancy Keane's podcasts (is it just me, or does her voice induce a feeling of tranquility?), I started thinking that it would be great to take it a step further and have students create their own podcast "booktalk" in lieu of a written book report. This would be a great way to start a dialogue about the book with classmates and teachers while also teaching students essential technology, writing, and speaking skills. Creative touches such as music or images could be added to make the podcast more engaging and fun for the students.
Better yet, why not have a student recommendation (perhaps every one to two weeks) podcast that could be posted to the media center or school web site as well as displayed and played within the media center? Students always seem to be asking for the same book that a friend or classmate is reading (you know, the one with "a green cover with a horse on it") so I think creating a podcast of student recommendations would only help encourage and inspire students to read more and have more discussions with one another about what they're reading and why they might or might not like it. Teachers and staff members could also contribute and bring their recommendations to life through a podcast "recommendation." The podcast book reviews/teasers could even become a permanent display in the media center. One could simply place a small mp3 player/ipod along with the book in the media center to help showcase new titles in the collection and encourage students to check out books they may not have seen or heard about before. Students who have an easier time listening to information might feel less intimidated by choosing a book when they can hear about it rather than having to read the synopsis provided on the book cover.
The possibilities for the use of podcasts in the media center as well as the classroom seem limitless. Another way to use podcasting in the media center would be to have students create a "character" trivia podcast about a book character, historical figure, or famous individual that requires them to research the subject, write and record the podcast (they could even create a voice for the character/person),and play it back to the class to see if they can guess the individual depicted in the podcast. This would be a fun and creative way to bring books and history to life for all students, regardless of their lexile level or abilities.
Overall, I can see how podcasting can be used to reach, engage, and empower students in many different ways. I agree with Fontichiaro’s (2007) statement that student podcasting projects can help students “write with an audience in mind, develop a ‘writer’s voice,’ and increase confidence” (p. 22). I've seen seemingly shy students display their hidden extrovert when given the chance to participate in morning announcements or in a dramatic reenactment in front of the class. I think that podcasting, much like writing, can help encourage students to become better listeners, especially when it comes to really listening to themselves and developing a better understanding of how to communicate thier own ideas if given the chance to present them in a creative way such as podcasting.
References:
Fontichiaro, K. (2007). Podcasting 101. School Library Media Activities Monthly, XXIII (7), 22-23.
You basically read my exact thoughts about the ease of podcasting. Your statement about not needing fancy equiptment is exactly what I was fearing when I first read we had to do a podcast. Maybe that is why I have steared clear of these for so many years.
ReplyDeleteYou have shared fantastic ideas of ways to incorporate them into the media center, many of which I am going to try in my classroom. The idea of students doing the book talk and showing them in the media center could easily be incorporated into my classroom since I am currently teaching. I could have students do a podcast for an assignment and post it on my blog. This would insure students going to my blog to watch each other and get then usially the blog more. That has been a challenge since we have been required to have a teacher blog.
The idea of doing a book talk instead of a written report is also a good idea especially if you need to include accomodations for special education students who have problems with their writing. Recording and talking would probably be more attractive and even fun for this kids with any assignment.
I think as I final project, I may take your suggestion about guessing the historical figure. I teach U.S. History, so what a great way to include a historical project.
Overall, we as educators are no being required to inlcude technology as part of the core curriculum standards. Now we all can using podcasting as an easy technology incorporation.
I had just been thinking how my interns could create a bulletin board and you hit the nail on the head with having them create podcast of book reviews or maybe even begin reading the first portion of the book. They could link the podcast to a QR code that the visiting students could listen to to learn more about the book. We have been creating animotos for book reviews right now that we will do a QR code with. Excited about them learning another technology task.
ReplyDeleteI thought podcasting then turning it into a text to speech format would be a great way to reduce the barrier for students who are apprehensive about writing. Even with high ability students, some learners just hate the writing process! I agree, allowing students to hear a voice from a their own age group could generate an audience appeal very unique to the typical adult attempting to reach a younger audience. In once class we used avatars for a text-to-speech assignment and kids went wild with adding echoes, whispers, and bizarre voices. At the end of the day, whatever can keep kids actively engaged and learning is a plus in the field of education.
ReplyDeleteBeing new to podcasting, my main concerns are time it takes to create and difficulty in creating it. I have discovered thus far that it takes little time and is relatively simple to set up. It's been proven to be quite interesting for students and getting them involved in producing them is yet another way to help the media center and themselves with class projects. Students will be more apt to buy in if they are directly involved and I agree this can definitely help with communication.
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