The further into LIBE 477 that I go, the harder I find it to keep separate the various tools that we are investigating. For example, I have used my Diigo (social bookmarking tool - already discussed) to save links related to podcasting (current topic) and have pasted the feed below. I have also used a system called Shrook (free, Mac only) to subscribe to RSS feeds (upcoming topic) that include my Diigo bookmarks, my twitter account feed and select podcasts. And I'm reporting this on my class Blog!
Whew!!!
It's time to focus on Podcasting, however...
First the Diigo links:
Basic definition and origin
Podcasting is not a new concept - it was apparently started around 2005 by former MTV vj Adam Curry. It is basically a term that combines Apple's "iPod" with "broadcasting", and refers to a regular audio, slideshow or video broadcast to which users can subscribe, or that they can download to a computer or to a portable device. Many people find and subscribe to podcasts using Apple's iTunes software, but you can subscribe to a podcast using any "Media Aggregator" software such as "Juice".
In education, how can you use Podcasting?
I can see two key ways that I would podcast with students, and have explored both of them.
- teach students how to find/download content, and have them listen and view podcasts. I present the example of CBC's Radio One programme "C'est la Vie".
- teach students how to produce content, and have them share their audio and video with their classmates and with a broader (worldwide) audience.
1. CONTENT USE - Word of the Week
There is a lot of information online that has educational value to French Immersion students, but that is under-utilized in the classroom. The teacher's role is to help students to find that content and then allow them to make new meaning from reading/listening/viewing.
Among the CBC Radio One broadcasts, one that is very accessible to adolescents is C'est la Vie - in particular, a segment entitled "Word of the Week". Each week, the show's host presents a French expression, and a variety of people discuss how they use it in context. Speakers are not only adults, but also young francophones from different parts of Canada.
Benefits
The principal benefit is obvious - students will develop language and fluency simply by listening to the podcast. To encourage student participation, and to extend this activity further within the classroom:
- as reinforcement, refer to the weekly expression during a class discussion
- for the library or classroom, have students create posters that illustrate the expression used in different contexts
- have students research other expressions and present them in class as a warm-up activity at the beginning of class
- To extend this activity further, students could move into content creation and make their own similar podcasts!
2. CONTENT CREATION - Anything goes!
There are many benefits to creating Podcasts in the classroom - it is not simply an activity to let children "play with technology". In preparing such a task, students have to follow all the steps required for a "traditional" project, but they also have to rehearse numerous times what they will say. For some students, they will simply memorize, but to make the Podcast sound real, they will need to "tell" their story rather than recite it.
According to Sue Halsey in Embracing emergent technologies and envisioning new ways of using them for literacy learning in the primary classroom, Web 2.0 tools "require little technical expertise", and they offer teachers an easy way to integrate technology into their classroom activities. Podcasting is certainly one of those simple technologies.
How to do podcasting:
There are many benefits to creating Podcasts in the classroom - it is not simply an activity to let children "play with technology". In preparing such a task, students have to follow all the steps required for a "traditional" project, but they also have to rehearse numerous times what they will say. For some students, they will simply memorize, but to make the Podcast sound real, they will need to "tell" their story rather than recite it.
According to Sue Halsey in Embracing emergent technologies and envisioning new ways of using them for literacy learning in the primary classroom, Web 2.0 tools "require little technical expertise", and they offer teachers an easy way to integrate technology into their classroom activities. Podcasting is certainly one of those simple technologies.
How to do podcasting:
Podcasting may seem to be only for technologically advanced users, but in reality, anyone can do it. in three simple steps:
Ways to use a Podcast with high school students:
From the "Word of the Day" podcast, one idea would be to have students select a word or expression and then prepare a podcast similar to the CBC segment. Most of the presenters and the student guests on that program speak in a conversational style - I would encourage my students to speak as naturally as possible.
Social Studies
- research topic - students present a summary of their findings
- controversial (debate) topics - students prepare an argument, and try to convince the listener of their point of view.
Science
- inventor or scientist - students present that person’s invention and how it has changed the world today.
- alternatively, they present their Podcast AS that inventor
Language (English / French)
- In groups, students select a book, read it, and then record their discussion about the story. The discussion should include a brief synopsis of the characters and plot, and an analysis of the main theme(s).
Library club/Community service students
- As part of their duties, CS students could create a weekly podcast outlining news from the library. Start with a T-L created Podcast, and then have students feature books, upcoming events, book talks or community announcements (eg. author visits to local bookstores).
This would certainly make the library webpage or blog come alive!
- Students prepare the content of their podcast, rehearse, and then record it digitally.
- Students import that sound file into audio editing software, add music / sound effects, and save as an mp3 or wav file.
- Students publish their work either on the web or on a school based server.
Ways to use a Podcast with high school students:
From the "Word of the Day" podcast, one idea would be to have students select a word or expression and then prepare a podcast similar to the CBC segment. Most of the presenters and the student guests on that program speak in a conversational style - I would encourage my students to speak as naturally as possible.
Social Studies
- research topic - students present a summary of their findings
- controversial (debate) topics - students prepare an argument, and try to convince the listener of their point of view.
Science
- inventor or scientist - students present that person’s invention and how it has changed the world today.
- alternatively, they present their Podcast AS that inventor
Language (English / French)
- In groups, students select a book, read it, and then record their discussion about the story. The discussion should include a brief synopsis of the characters and plot, and an analysis of the main theme(s).
Library club/Community service students
- As part of their duties, CS students could create a weekly podcast outlining news from the library. Start with a T-L created Podcast, and then have students feature books, upcoming events, book talks or community announcements (eg. author visits to local bookstores).
This would certainly make the library webpage or blog come alive!
