How many ways are there to get information into the students’ hands? I am not sure that is a question that can be answered. But as the use of technology in education grows so does the various ways to disseminate information. Students use technologies on a regular basses why not use the technology they are already using for the purpose of education. Podcasting is an example that comes to mind. Bio Med Central’s website discusses multiple forms of technology that can be used for educational purposes. They describe podcast as a combination of old and new technologies by sending video or audio presentation via the Internet. http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1067502706002131 It is the ability to self-broadcast that raises it above traditional methods of media like television and radio.
The use of podcasting in education can take on different forms. In his article on the use of podcast, “Strategies for Using Podcasting to Support Student learning” that appeared in the Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport, & Tourism Education, http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/assets/hlst/documents/johlste/vol6no1/50155.pdf Crispin Dale shows how podcasting is already being used in various industries to educate. He accentuates the use of the podcast in education as an enhancement of in-class lectures. The flexibility of downloading to a portable device allows the student to access the information at any time. Teachers can create podcast to add information that does not fit into a lecture or as an interesting aside to a topic. Students then can engage the information on their own time.
For those of us who tend to zone-out the use of podcasting as a learning platform has great possibilities. I have been in so many situations where I suddenly realize that I have no idea what the speaker is talking about. With a podcast there is always the possibility of rewind. Beyond instant review is using it to replay the entire lecture multiple times allowing greater reflection by students. Kenneth Y T Lim comments on this in his article entitled “Now Hear This – Exploring Podcasting as a Tool in Geography Education.” http://homepage.mac.com/voyager/brisbane_kenlim.pdf There are many possible uses for podcasting, it is up to the individual to find ways to apply it to the classroom.
In a previous blog we have discussed the use of blogging to broaden the audience base for student writing. Students now might be motivated to put forth a greater effort knowing that there would be people other then their teachers reading the words they write. Podcasts offer a similar opportunity. Student produced podcast could reach many different listeners. This would in turn, force the students to consider the quality of their work and carefully think through their ideas. This concept is reiterated numerous times in the article “Podcasting Craze Comes to K-12 Schools: Educators discover value of Internet audio programs” by Rhea R. Borja http://lansinglearntech.pbworks.com/f/k-12+podcasting.pdf . The article also contains numerous links for podcast examples as well as links for more help with podcast. Borja quotes a seventh grade student, Alyssa M. Gilbertson discussing the creation of a podcast. “‘When you’re writing an essay,’ she said, ‘you don’t try your hardest because after you’re done, you throw it away or put it in a box.’ But with podcasts, she said, ‘now we try a lot harder because we want other people to know that we [can] do more. We want people to hear us.’” If podcast, blogs, or simply using a computer motivates a student to work harder on an assignment we all benefit.
If you are thinking about doing a podcast for your students the eHow website http://www.ehow.com/how_2029095_plan-podcast-class-lecture.html has some great tips to help you format what should or should not be in your work. I would also mention that some simple things like ambient background music can help cover up voice inconsistencies. Also you should speak at a quicker pace then you normally do. Often you will be thinking about what you are saying and your pace will suffer. Consciously force your tempo to be up beat and it will help your audience keep their attention on your message. Podcasting is fun for both the teacher and the student. It can help students work on multiple items such as writing, organization, fact-finding and summary, as well as public speaking. It accomplishes all his with the added benefit of the lure of current technology.
No comments:
Post a Comment