Thing 17: Podcasting
Podcasting came into my life about 2 years ago…a fellow co-worker and myself took a podcasting class through KSU’s Continuing Education program and were introduced to the wonders of podcasting. We not only learned the “technical” aspect of podcasts but we also created several podcasts ourselves and uploaded to iTunes.
I believe podcasts are another avenue/tool to use with students or teachers to engage them in a meaningful way on a particular topic or standard. We all know students learn in different ways – podcasts offer another way to reach all learners. Podcasts provide us with the ability to listen to the information as often as we like. I know many people who download podcasts on topics of interest then listen to the information as they’re walking, biking, driving, in an airplane…..in our hurried society where there’s never enough time to complete all the tasks assigned, podcasts provide a way to listen to content as we’re multi-tasking.
I listened to a Language Arts podcast in honor of National Poetry Month – famous poets reading their own works. I also listened to an educator’s mashup on the past presidential election. I attempted to listen to a student podcast from Jamestown School on Thanksgiving – but could not get it to work (needed additional software download).
The 3 sources for podcasts I used were the iTunes Store, Education Podcast Network and NPR Podcast Directory. To be able to hear NPR favorites when I want….Yes! That’s on a personal level – the NPR Directory. I’m always amazed at the number of podcasts that are available on such a variety of topics. Both on a personal and professional level – to be able to hear podcasts from conferences I wasn’t able to attend from nationally known speakers is always satisfying. I’ve used podcasts from these conferences to share with media specialists on a variety of topics.
I promised myself that while I was walking, I would only listen to relaxing music on my iPod…….but I broke that promise. I’ve downloaded several conference sessions to my iPod and listen while I walk…..it’s another way of staying current with professional content that I hope makes me a better contributor to my job environment.
I especially like students creating book review podcasts for new book titles added to the media center, the Georgia Book Award nominees. With the automation system we use in our district, we can upload digital content – we’ve just begun uploading book review podcasts that students created to our system. Any student searching for reading materials can click on a link and hear the student created book review.
