One of my roles as a media specialist is to stay abreast of all the new technologies. If a teacher ask me to help him with a podcast and I knew nothing about podcasting then of course I would be honest. Next, I would express my desire to learn about how to create a podcast. I would explain to him that I would research podcasting and let him know my findings by the end of the day if possible. My number one goal as a media specialist is to collaborate with teachers on making the classroom a successful and exciting place for students. In addition, these digital learners prefer a multimedia approach to education.
My first step would be to find resources on how to conduct a podcast. Next, I would locate the equipment needed and download software to deliver a quality podcast. Then, I would complete a trial run of my own podcast so I could model for this teacher the steps in creating a podcast for his class.
After this teacher’s class was successful in creating podcasts, I would conduct an in-service training for teachers using this class as an example. I would suggest ways they could use student created podcasting in their own classroom.
· In the media center, I would conduct book talks and post on my website.
· In the history classes, students could create podcasts to interpret documents such as the Declaration of Independence. Students could do virtual tours of countries using a podcast.
· In language arts, students could create podcasts of poetry or plays. A podcast could be used as an assessment at the end of a unit.
· In math, students could create podcasts to explaining methods to solve math problems.
· For our special education teachers, I see this as great way to reach those auditory and visual learners. In addition to motivating these learners, podcasts gives students a way to deliver their thoughts in a non-text mode.
This list is endless for the possibilities of incorporating podcasts into a teacher’s lesson plan to reach those digital learners. Not to mention, the endless numbers of podcasts that are available on the internet just by using searches such as Podzinger or Yahoo Podcasts. Kathy Schrock has an evaluation guide for podcasts listed on her website at http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/evalpodcast.html. In the in-service training, I would include a copy of the School Library Monthly website on Podcasting 101 for those who are unsure about using this resource.
I thought it was interesting that you mentioned using podcasts for book talks in the media center because I really wanted to do my book talk for 6466 as a podcast. But I’ve compromised and I’m doing it as part of the school’s news network. And I’m going to let the school keep a copy of the DVD to use again and again.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I thought of to incorporate reading and literature with podcasts is Reader’s Theater. You wouldn’t have to have the sets and costumes, which would cut part of the budgetary concerns out of the project; but you would still have the benefits of students reading and writing scripts. Scholastic.com (http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/instructor/readerstheater.htm) has a good article about how Reader’s Theater improves fluency and by having the students perform scripts on podcasts, this would definitely be the case.
In my mind, it would be like some of the old radio shows my dad and I listen to on Sirius radio. We like the old “Dragnet” and “Lone Ranger” programs. He also likes “The Shadow” while I prefer the old Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney performances about “putting on a show.”
Students could take Reader’s Theater scripts that already exist (http://www.teachingheart.net/readerstheater.htm); or an even better exercise would be to have a class write their own script, cast it, and create a podcast of the final performance. These podcasts could be shared with the entire school, parents, faraway relatives, and anyone on the Internet. It just seems like such a fun, creative idea to me. A throwback yes, but what’s wrong with applying new technology to old storytelling?
I believe that student created podcasts is a wonderful idea. You listed some really good ideas for the use of podcasting in the classroom. I really like the idea of students doing a podcast to explain how to solve math problems. It is one thing to be able to solve a math problem but to actually tell someone else the steps involved in solving a problem is another thing. Explaining how to solve a math problem is usually hard for students because they just tend to memorize the steps and don't really understand why they are completing the steps to reach the final answer. I believe that by providing the students with a fun opportunity to explain and solve math problems, the students would not only enjoy math more but also learn more and better understand the processes involved in certain math concepts in order to successfully reach the answer.
ReplyDeleteIn about two weeks I will be teaching a group of third graders computer skills during our RTI time in the morning. I believe that podcasting would be an important topic to cover with these kids. Podcasting can definitely be used throughout all of the subject areas.
I truly believe that the students would not only learn more by creating and viewing podcasts, but they would also have fun!
I agree that you would start with creating your own and then getting other teachers on bandwagon, which in return would spark the interest of other teachers to join in. Had I known more about podcasts I would have created one for my booktalk in 6466. I too feel that podcasts can make the content that is delivered very meaningful if it is student created.
ReplyDeleteCoach Martin, good idea for special education classes using podcasts as a way to capture the visual and auditory learners attention.
Jessica, using the podcasts to explain the steps in solving a math problem is a great idea. When I taught third grade I would have the students ICE(Illustrate, computate, explain) their math problems. This would go right in line with the explain part. Many students can get the correct answer, but they do not really know the concept behind their answer.
I love how you said that collaboration with teachers is your number one goal. Today's learners are into technology and the teachers want to bring that technology into the classroom. So it is important for the media specialist to stay abreast of all the new technologies that are coming out.
ReplyDeleteCreating your own podcast first is a great idea. This way you have an example to show the teachers and you can also guide them through the different steps as they create their own. Conducting an in-service training is definitely a great way to spark other teacher's interest in podcasts. In another classmate's post, she mentioned the fact that some teachers are wary to use this in their classroom because they themselves do not know how to use it properly. So having an in-service where you can teach the teachers about podcasts and model how to create one is a great way to get them on board.
Leann, I agree with you about using the podcast for the booktalk in 6466. I wish I would have known more about podcasts then so that I could have done a podcast for my booktalk. Students could also create a podcast for a booktalk.
Collaboration with teachers is so important to the success of the media program. Being able to meet the needs of teachers is an important part of the SLMS’ job. Using the interests of teachers to determine topics for teacher in-services lets teachers that their interests are valued.
ReplyDeleteLike Leann and Jena, if I had known more about podcast, I would have used this tool to do my book talk for 6466. I love the idea of using podcast with reader’s theater scripts… what a wonderful, fun way for students to monitor their own reading fluency. I will be using that one!
I would love the idea of students creating their own podcasts. I think it is a great way to get students actively involved and to allow for different types of assessment; however, I'm afraid this wouldn't be a very easy task to accomplish in our school system. First of all, to try and do anything of this sort at school will be very difficult because of the filters set up on our computers (which is a whole different blog in itself!) I actually wanted to set up a blog for students this semester to read and discuss books, but our tech specialists at the local and county level said no way! I think the same answer would be given for podcasts. The alternative, of course, would be to make the podcasts an at-home assignment, but the majority of our students wouldn't have the necessary equipment and wouldn't buy it (no matter how inexpensive it is). Our community has the mind set that the school should provide and if we can't, then it shouldn't be a requirement! It gets very frustrating, especially when I can see the great benefits that can come from podcasting, blogging, etc. Any suggestions on how to make this a "do-able" project?
ReplyDeleteI love that you stated that your "number one goal as a media specialist is collaborate with teachers on making the classroom a successful and exciting place for students." The role of the librarian has evolved so much since the days of the keeper of the books. We must now truly serve as media specialists....experts on all types of media. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are no longer simply pencil and paper activities. How cool would it be for our students and teachers to create podcasts for all sorts of activities and events--reader's theater (love that one); newsletters to parents; invitations to special school functions; study guides for CRCT prep; book talks (wish I had thought of that for 6466, too).
ReplyDeletePodcasts are just the tip of the iceberg of the recent and upcoming media that we will continue to investigate and become experts on. The possibilities will continue to grow! How exciting!!