Podcasting-Sarah

=How can podcasts be used in the classroom to help students learn? = 



Podcasting is a relatively new technology used for presenting information about different concepts. A podcast is very similar to the TiVO technology used on a television. It can be viewed by someone on their own time schedule and by their own choice by subscribing, with an RSS Feed, to a certain podcasts that interests them. Podcasts have also been defined as a type of content delivery with digital audio recordings.  The inquiry topic that I researched was using podcasting in the classroom to help students learn.Technology is a growing technological aspect in classrooms today and podcasting is one aspect of this new trend. I wanted to find out ways in which this technology could be incorporated into the classroom and ways that students could actively use this in and out of school. This topic is especially important because along with increased technology, podcasting is going to become more rampant in classrooms and the better teachers are at incorporating into their curriculum the more it can successfully be used in the classroom.
 * What is a Podcast? **
 * Why is this technology important? **

**Personal Connection** Choosing the topic of podcasting in the classroom wasn't difficult for me. This type of technology is becoming more and more popular in education. I knew that I wanted to learn more about it and also ways to use it as a future educator. Podcasting has been an unfamiliar technology until this semester in our technology class. I wanted to inquire more information about the uses and how it can be used in the classroom. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Podcasts in the Classroom

 * Advantages:**
 * Lessons can be viewed multiple times from students
 * Students use technology to complete projects and assignments
 * Free service that students can use in and out of the classroom
 * Time Efficient


 * Disadvantages:**
 * Lose Face-to-Face interaction between student and teacher
 * Students may not have the technology in order to support podcasting
 * Costly-computer, internet,microphone

Ways in which podcasts can be incorporated into the classroom:

 * **Website**
 * A teacher in an elementary classroom included podcasting within her class website. She included a “Podcast” section on her website for students to complete certain activities. One of the activities included was at the end of each week two students would complete a podcast and reflect on the week’s events and the learning that takes place in the classroom for that week.
 * **Book Reviews**
 * A teacher could have the students read books and complete a book review. Instead of writing a book report and turning it in, the students will complete a podcast included all the elements that would be included in a regular book report.
 * **Speaking in front of the Class**
 * Students can produce podcasts to encourage students to be more confident in speaking in front of the classroom.
 * **English Langauge Learners**
 * Also podcasting can be used for English Language Learners. It can allow for oral practice of the language as well as auditory practice in listening to the language they are learning.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This type of technology can also be helpful for learning English from the teacher presenting instruction as well as making podcasts themselves.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Students with Disabilities**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Podcasting can be repeated as many times needed for students who need extra time and practice with certain skills. The teacher can present her lesson in class but also record them as a podcast. This can allow for students to be able to go back review the lesson.

Useful Articles Relating to Podcasting​
**Halsey, S. (2007). Embracing Emergent Technologies and Envisioning New Ways of Using Them for Literacy Learning in the Primary Classroom. English Teaching:Practice and Critique, 6(2), 99-107. Retrieved October 19, 2009, from ERIC database** In this article the author, Sue Hasley, a primary teacher in New Zealand, explains how she incorporates podcasts into the classroom. She explains that technology is a way of life now and there isn’t any way for teachers to ignore it in the classrooms. Hasley explains she began a class website in her classroom. Within this website she included podcasting. She included a “Podcast” section on her website for students to complete certain activities. One of the activities included was at the end of each week two students would complete a podcast and reflect on the week’s events and the learning that takes place in the classroom for that week. Other sections included in the website were an “Events”, “Word Power” and “Book Reviews” component. Hasley explains that the “Book Reviews” component was another area on the website that incorporated podcasting. Students would read a book and then make a podcast reviewing the book. Hasley explains that all of these types of activities involve meaningful learning and support the constructivist approach to teaching and learning. The main points presented in this article can be helpful for this inquiry because it describes what a podcast is all about. It is also helpful because it gives many useful examples on how the podcast can be incorporated into the classroom. This article was the most useful because it dealt with a real-life teacher that uses this type of technology in the classroom. When reading this article I felt that “book reviews” and “podcasts” components can be incorporated into a real-life classroom.

In this article the author explains different ways that podcasts can be used to address the different goals presented in a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The author claims that a podcast is very similar to the TiVO technology used on a television. It can be viewed by someone on their own time schedule and by their own choice by subscribing to a certain podcasts that interests them. One way that a podcast can be incorporated into the classroom is for speaking, so that others can understand what a student may be saying. Another podcast activity that the author mentions is using podcasting for English as a Second Language Learners. It can allow for oral practice of the language as well as auditory practice in listening to the language they are learning. The author also suggests using the program TalkShoe to create and share podcasts. Although podcasts may seem very beneficial is also has several challenges. One challenge the author mentions is that direct interaction with others or face-to-face interaction is non-existent. Another common challenge mentioned is that not all students have computers to use at home to complete podcasting activities. Overall the author claims that podcasting gives students and teachers many positive possibilities when used. The main points in this article are useful for this inquiry because they give an excellent explanation on what a podcast is all about. The article also gives ways in which a podcast is most beneficial for ALL students. The author of this article also makes the challenges very straight forward and easy to understand. When considering podcasts in the classroom with students, it is very important to consider all the possible challenges and search for ways to overcome or get around the complications.
 * Leonard, M. (2008). Podcasting's possibilities. Inquiry, 13(1), 20-25. Retrieved from** [|**www.csa.com**]

**Roy, A. K., & Roy, P. A. (2007). Intersection of training and podcasting in adult education. Australian Journal of Adult Learning, 47(3), 479-491. Retrieved from** [|**www.csa.com**] The author of this article discusses the use of podcasts in adult education. The author describes the term podcasting as a type of content delivery with digital audio recordings. The cost of using a podcast in adult education varies. The estimated cost of beginning application of a podcast is about $4,110. This includes things like a computer, video/audio editing software, and internet access. The author also describes how to set up a podcast. The description given includes professional intros and exits, a brief description of what the podcast pertains to, and of course the actual message of the podcast. The author also lists several advantages to using podcasts. One is that it facilitates a students’ own pace when learning. Podcasts are also a way to help hear exact pronunciation of words as well as review when needed. For adult learners, an advantage is that podcasts can be a good tool for learners who don’t have the time for face-to-face interaction. A disadvantage that the author gives is that podcasting is not good for concepts that have multiple steps. Most often the learner will not be able to retain the information when presented with multiple steps. The author states that podcasting is an “extremely cost-effective way to share information” and is suitable for adult education. The main points of this article can be useful for this inquiry because it is an excellent resource that gives all the facts about podcasts. The author presents all the different aspects that can be useful when using podcasts. Although the information is geared towards adult education, it can be useful for any teacher using this in the classroom. The information in the article that will be especially useful when completing the project will be what a podcast is, how to use it, the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the cost and important technology components involved when producing podcasts.

Resources
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**Creating Podcasts:** [|Learning Podcasts]

**Websites:**

[|Podcasting in the Classroom]

[|Sites to See: Podcasting] Blog Supporting Podcasts: **

[|Podcasting Tools]

Why use PODCASTS?????
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Podcasting is a type of technology people can subscribe to and through which can learn certain concepts. It can be incorporated into the classroom is various ways. Some of which include websites, book reviews, and reflection. This technology can be used independently or with an entire classroom population. The advantages of instruction utilizing podcasting include that podcast lessons can be viewed multiple times and is a free service that students will be able to use in and out of the classroom. Teachers and students can both benefit from the use of podcasts in the classroom.