Podcasting

A podcast is a series of digital media files, either audio or video, that are released episodically and downloaded through web syndication. Like the term broadcast, podcast can refer either to the content itself or to the method by which the content is syndicated; the latter is also called podcasting. A podcaster is the person who creates the content (Wikipedia, 2009).

Podcasting refers to the programs being made available online through a subscription feed, otherwise known as a RSS feed. Podcasts can be played on computers and even IPods (WiseGeek, 2009).

From my own investigations I became familiar with the program known as I-Tunes. This program offers thousands of different podcasts instantly. As I expected, my computer decided to not be my friend and allow me to download the program, so I then snuck in my brothers room to use his I-Tunes (I didn’t even get caught, sneaky! ;-))

As a future learning manager I have looked at possible ways to incorporate such a great tool within the classroom, and the following are some possible suggestions;

- Record class lectures
- School/ Classroom news
- Homework hotline
- Student centred podcasts

This would be a beneficial tool for students to use because it improves organisational skills, writing, reading and viewing is improved, peer collaboration, leadership skills, tone/ expression and supports differenation (SlideShare, 2009).

Therefore from my findings I have concluded that this great tool fits well within the Learning Engagement Theory (Kearsley & Shneiderman, 1995). This is explained through the following;

Relate- collaboration with fellow peers to focus on effective communication, planning and social skills for a set task.

Create – Students create their own podcasts, therefore supporting an authentic approach to learning.

Donate –Publishing their own PodCast with the wider community (family, friends, peers, teacher’s).

In conclusion I am really excited about using all of these very engaging tools, and will be looking for opportunities to do so in my year seven class this week.

References

Kearsley, G. & Schneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology based teaching and learning. Retrieved August 16th, 2009 from http://home.sprynet.com/-gkearsley/engage.htm

Slide Share. (2008). Retrieved August 1st, 2009 from http://www.slideshare.net/itsco/podcasting-integration-ideas-for-the-classroom

WiseGeek (2008). PodCasting. Retrieved August 1st, 2009 from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-podcasting.htm

Wikipedia (2009). Podcast. Retrieved August 1st, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast