This is a wonderful tool to allow students to create. They can also be used to promote discussion, assist an inquiry and reflect on learning.
Podcasting is a way of delivering multimedia files, such as audio or video over the Internet for playback on mobile device, such as an MP3 player or a computer.
The audio (or video) file is posted on a web site, where it can be downloaded to a computer or MP3 player using a podcast client software. A podcast will have a web address for an RSS feed. iTunes (or another client) will check the RSS feed of the podcasts you subscribe to and automatically download any new ones. Investigating the rich podcast out there here are a few of my favourites:
Andrew Douch has created many biology podcast to assist his students:
http://biologyoracle.podomatic.com/
MIT Open Course Ware Physics lectures- videoed and podcast:
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Physics/8-01Physics-IFall1999/VideoLectures/detail/embed06.htm
A wonderful selection in iTunes U for k-12- and it will be evergrowing.
Some Classroom Uses for Podcastingo English stories
o History projects- eyewitness accounts, interviews, time lining
o Science Experiments and Reports
o Sportscasts
o Reflections
o Assessment- pre/post testing
o Tutorials
o Information sharing with community
o Visual Arts- describing artwork
o LOTE-verbal activities
o Radio Program
o Tours
o Excursions
o Oral Presentation
First Things First: Tips on the Plan Amazingly enough, this first step is the one many podcasters skip: develop a plan. Before you start recording, think about what you want to say, and organise your show accordingly. Make notes, prepare your interviews (if any), and try to improvise as little as possible. While a completely spontaneous show can sound good if you’ve got the knack, the best podcasters prepare their shows in advance and work hard to provide interesting content.
1. Have something to say. You can certainly just ramble for a half-hour, but unless you have a unique voice (or are really funny) people won’t come back. If you make a podcast just to provide the drivel that’s on your blog, don’t bother; stick to text. It’ll save you time, and it’s easier to find out what you have to say.
2. Be prepared. Make notes before you start talking; only a rare few can improvise for a half-hour or an hour. In fact, few people can really improvise for more than a few minutes. Make detailed notes, and, if you’re interviewing someone, prepare questions in advance. However, don’t let notes or questions keep you from diverging if you find something better to say.
3. Be short and simple. Too many podcasts try and fill an hour with whatever it takes to fill that time. You will be much more likely to get listeners to try out your podcasts if they are short. If listeners like the shortcasts, then they’ll stick around for the longcasts.
4. Be clear. Learn how to record, edit, and produce your podcast. Also, if you’re interviewing someone, don’t interrupt. Learn when to talk and when to let the guest speak. You can edit later.
5. Be yourself. Unless you’re a professional journalist or radio broadcaster, you won’t make people think you are. Don’t try using that “radio voice”, and don’t try to talk about things you don’t know about. Do talk about what turns you on: even if it’s a hobby, such as beekeeping, an impassioned delivery by someone who knows the subject can be interesting.
6. Be unique. The best podcasts are the ones that are unique or original. Don’t copy in style or content. Podcasting, like writing, is creative.
7. Provide detailed program notes.
8. Add or sound effects to punctuate your show. Make sure the music you use has creative commons.
To sum up, creating a good podcast is like creating any type of quality content, be it music, words or audio. With a fair amount of intention, originality and creativity, you can share your thoughts with others through podcasts. But only the good survive; so if you want to reach an audience, do your best to make sure that people come back for more.
There are thousands of podcasts available today, but it’s easy to pass most of them up because they don’t stand out - figure out your angle, and run with it!
Remember to listen and use podcasts to enhance your learning and teaching!
