Podcasts

This past week was dedicated towards podcasts.  While I am not a huge fan of listening to myself talk, I was excited to think about the possibilities for my current and future students.  I can definitely see kids being interested in talking with friends, or even teachers and parents, about varying topics.  From homework to cafeteria food, students can voice their opinions in a format that allows for them to add their own personal touches and share their thoughts with a larger audience.  While teachers may not want to broadcast sessions all over the web, there are ways of sharing podcasts via e-mail, which could then go to individual teachers for their class to listen and respond to.

This type of discussion could also take some of the anxiety out of oral reports.  A student may be given the option to do a podcast about their topic where they would have the opportunity of editing and perfecting their presentation before sharing it with the class.  In this format students would still be required to share their information with the class, but they may not be as prone to getting stage fright.  I have see students who can articulate ideas very clearly to one or two peers, but in front of a large group they freeze up and forget what they are going to say.  A podcast would eliminate the large crowd feel, with just a friend or two listening in/giving comments or opinions/ asking questions, and the teacher or a parent going over the finished product and making suggestions.

Teachers could also use podcasts to bring disappearing subjects, such as arts and languages, into the classroom.  During free time, with students who master content quickly, or as a reward system podcasts could be an option to students.  A teacher could have a pre-approved selection of podcasts downloaded to a computer or mp3 player, including items such as music, foreign language introductions, and how-to’s for painting/sculpture/drawing etc.  For example, if an elementary student has finished his/her ELA assignment, they could be given the option of listening to a podcast on introductory Spanish. 

Alternately teachers could present a podcast series to the entire class.  In this way, even though specials may be disappearing from the school day, students can still get exposure to these programs.  Allowing the whole class to participate in listening to a podcast gets everyone involved, rather than just a few students on a given day.  Even though teachers are facing continually restrictive curriculum guidelines and time commitments to the “base” content areas, finding podcasts that teach students about multiculturalism in five minute sessions (as an example) can add a dimension to your classroom that would otherwise be lacking.

In short… podcasts offer a lot of possibilities to teachers and students.