on PODCASTs

First of all, I'd like to credit the source that I used for much of this post.

Joe Dale is a teacher on the Isle of Wight. See www.joedale.typepad.com

So what are the benefits of podcasts? Why use them in the classroom. There are many sites online which discuss this question. Some are...well...fuzzy. One New Zealand teacher suggests that it shows students' "true potential"....whatever that means. I think this is somewhat of a non-statement in that it pretty well means whatever you want it to mean. I recall a book on logic that I read once:

A writer says, "The most discerning people subscribe to XXX magazine." What do we mean by "discerning" here? What kind of person would make such a statement?.... the most discerning type. It is somewhat of a meaningless, yet self-fulfilling statement.

***rant off***

Anyhow, audio publishing allows a wide variety to subsribe to content. Accessibility is granted through computers and where our students are concerned, through their MP3 players.

Podcasts can:

• promote creativity
• be shared with a real audience
• encourage active listening
• scripting helps with written work
• team scripting helps with team work
• provides an outlet for shy students who will not stand up in front of a class

Podcasting is actually broadcasting. It can bring together audio files from a variety of media sources. Joe Dale actually recorded audio files which he captured from Skype. Imagine interviewing a politician or a museum curator from another country and then sharing the podcast with your class. Much more lively than reading about it on an overhead.

Students can access the files anywhere. They can listen on the bus, while they walk the dog, doing the dishes, walking to or from school. They can also repeat the podcast if they need to listen to it again. Some students will find it more relaxing and easier than reading.

For students who are recording, rehearsals are essential. While they sound very very easy to make, they will be more successful with additional planning. Some teachers find that students are more self critical when they put together podcasts....more self critical than they would be than if they were handing in a written essay.

The larger (and potential) international audience is appealing. Now people can actually take guitar lessons online from podcasts which might otherwise cost hundreds of dollars. And much content is available for free.

This is an inexpensive way to broadcast which doesn't require all of the additional equipment and/or considerations which accompany an actual film.

Cheers,
Dan