Podcasting 101: Connecting with Digital Natives

 

 

What?

Why?

How?

 

 

• A way to disseminate audio or video programs over the internet for users to download and listen to at a later time
• Podcasts, think "radio shows", ususally focus on one subject or topic (ex. sports, digital photography, news)

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Why should teachers use podcasts?

• Kids connect with technology; most of our students have iPods or MP3 players
• Podcasts can be used anywhere at anytime which means that students can access them when they need them
• Podcasts extend the "traditional" classroom experience
• Podcasts are the perfect tool for anticipatory activities, practice activities, reviews and make up work
• A+B=C: Kids think iPods and podcasts are cool + Kids think people who use iPods are cool = Kids think YOU are cool and are more open to you and your ideas
• Podagogy (teaching and learning with podcasting) fits right in with your pedagogy (teaching methods)

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How do I podcast?

Basic Podcast Info.

• The podcaster (creator of podcast) creates a multi-media file which is offered as a "feed" that folks can subscribe to and download from a public websever using a podcatcher like iTunes

The Process: ("Five Steps to Designing Podcasts that Teach")

Step 1: Choose a concept or content to podcast

• don't present an entire class lecture as a podcast--what a yawn!
• don't choose a concept that has many little details that can be lost or misunderstood when only having a auditory presentation
• use only a small chunk of information; "educational podcasts should be between 2-4 minutes in length for maximum effectiveness." (Reynolds, 2005)

Step 2: Determine your instructional goals and objectives

• use the podcast as motivational or anticipatory activity to prepare students for a new lesson
• use the podcast as a way to review content
• use the podcast as an way to connect new material with content already learned by students
• use the podcast to provide an overview of a topic
• teach students to podcast as new form of multi-media project

Step 3: Design the Content

• Be creative; consider techniques used in radio broadcasting that attract and captivate your audience
• Be informal and chatty: don't lecture or drone on in a boring monotone
• Consider including interviews with folks who are experts or who represent opposing viewpoints on a topic
• Share stories that are pertinent to the topic
• KEEP IT SHORT!!!

Step 4: Produce the Podcast

• Don't read it! Talk!
• Use voice and tone to communicate your message
• More details on how to produce the podcast in Podcasting 102--Coming soon!

Step 5: Incorporate the Podcast into Your Class

• Make sure your podcast fits smoothly within your class and curriculum; give your students the opportunity to experience your podcast

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Bibliography:

Meredith, R. (2005, November 14). Podagogy gains ground. Message posted to http://blog.podagogy.com

Five Steps to Designing Podcasts that Teach. (2005).Teaching & learning with podcasting. Retrieved April 28,2006, from podcasting @ university of wisconsin-madison Web site: http://engage.doit.wisc.edu/
podcasting/teachAndLearn/

Podcasting-Wikipedia. (2006, April 27). Retrieved April 29, 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Podcast

Reynolds, R. (2005, July 7). Pedagogy for podcasting (with sample). Retrieved April 28, 2006, from
http://www.xplanazine.com/xplanaradio/archives/2005/07/pedagogy_for_po.html

 

Created by: Courtnay Moore, Media Specialist, Glenwood Middle School, 2006