Thing 19

I really liked and was inspired by the Great Educational Podcasts by Wayne RESA as the videos easily informed you about podcasts and gave you some examples of how podcasts are being used in the classroom. I found this information to be very helpful to wrap my head around and understand podcasts and their value.

I viewed many of the podcast sites provided and enjoyed many of them. I did have some difficulty with some podcasts not downloading. I don't know if it is a problem on my end, if I was impatient in the download or if indeed there was something going awry with the website. I also noticed quite a difference in quality with the podcasts. For example, I listened to a podcast from The TechPod Zone and found the gentleman doing the podcast were very laid back and actually had had a minute or so of dead air time before they started talking and when they talked they were joking around. This is fine, but is just an example that not all podcasts are the same.

If I were to pick two favorites from the list of podcasts I would choose Radio WillowWeb because it is so well done and the students take such ownership of their learning. I also started generating lots of ideas on things I could do with podcasts at the elementary level while reviewing the podcasts found here. I do several research projects with my elementary students and it would be very exciting for them to produce a podcast with the information they have gathered. I also really enjoyed Reading Roundup Podcasts because it gave me an idea for promoting books in my library collection. Many times I do not have the time to book talk, especially with the older grades. This podcast is a wonderful example of how I can introduce books to students and excite them about reading in a way that they could incorporate technology as well.

Another use of podcasts that I would like to eventually try is to explain the use of new technologies available in our school district. As the Media Specialist, I am asked for guidance on how to use a variety of technological tools. A podcast would be a wonderful way for me to set up a list of tutorials that are available whenever and wherever the teachers needed them.