PODCASTS

Podcasting is a great way to interest students in the classroom.  It offers a different and engaging approach to teaching and learning.

The following visual presents, defines and gives us a better understanding of podcasting:

   

Retrieved from:

http://www.exactdrive.com/news/give-your-brand-a-voice-with-podcasting

The Professional Learning Board's (PLB) blog post titled "What are the Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom?" provides great information.  The post informs us that podcasting is one of the latest trends in schools.  It is sort of like a radio show that provides downloaded information about a subject of interest to others. 

The ease of accessing a podcast is very appealing.  The blog post further adds that students and teachers can do it at any time that is convenient for them. They can also choose different devices such as a computer, tablet, phone, etc.  Learning on the go is another advantage of podcasts.  Learning does not have to happen only in the classroom; students can access podcasts even when they are doing chores at home. 

Additionally, according to the PLB's blog post, podcasting allows teachers to create and archive lessons for students and others to access.   If a student is not able to go to class on a particular day, they can access the information from the podcast.  On the other hand, if a teacher is absent, students can also go to the podcast to hear that day’s lesson. 

Other benefits of podcasting mentioned in the PLB's blog post include the enhancement of students' listening skills.  It also stimulates different forms of learning since students can view interviews, video presentations, etc.  Podcasting also encourages students to create their own podcasts.   

Creating podcasts can also come with challenges. The PLB's blog post adds that students might take advantage of podcasting by not listening or not attending class, since the information is to be found in the podcast.  Also, students might expect exams to be only over the material covered in the podcast causing students to fail. 

Three great sources that can be utilized to create podcasts are Soundcloud, Audioboom and Podomatic. 

 

I signed up for all three and explored their sites.  I decided to create my podcast on Podomatic.  The site was easy to navigate, and I found a very useful tutorial on YouTube. Here is the link to the tutorial:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5gut2Z17b0.

Following is a podcast for a lesson that can be given by or to students on the homophones “your” and “you’re”.

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/vsaenz038/episodes/2017-04-07T11_08_22-07_00

Podcasting is a great way to reach students and others at any time.  It can introduce and/or reinforce a lesson.  Students can also use podcasting as a way to demonstrate their knowledge on a particular subject.  Podcasting is a great tool to use in the classroom or library! 

References

Give your brand a voice with podcasting. (2014, October 22). Retrieved April 7, 2017, from http://www.exactdrive.com/news/give-your-brand-a-voice-with-podcasting

What are the benefits of podcasting in the classroom? (2017). Retrieved April 6, 2017, from https://k12teacherstaffdevelopment.com/tlb/what-are-the-benefits-of-podcasting-in-the-classroom/